Description: Single staged 10.5mm motor (1/4 A through A in Apogee motors) rocket that is a minute scale model o' t' V2. Begad!

Pros and cons o' construction: All parts specified were thar and undamaged. I got t' kit less than a week after I ordered it, arrr, and it was securely packed in styrofoam popcorn in a strong postal box. Arrr! T' nose cone is solid lightweight balsa wood. Well, blow me down! T' tail cone is also balsa, with a 10.5mm bore predrilled t' accept t' 10.5mm motor tube. Avast! T' body tube and motor tube are spiral wound paper. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! T' launch lug is plastic and is for 1/8 inch rods. The streamer is 17 inches o' 1 inch wide plastic. Aye aye! Aye aye! T' fins are die cut balsa.

Instructions are clear, illustrated and logical. You also get a historical essay on t' original V2, me hearties, and how its capture from t' Germans helped our space program.

Assembly was easy and quick. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! You do have t' align t' 4 fins, but that's not hard. T' shock cord is thin Keelhaul®©™®-like strin' o' 20 inches in length. It fits into a plastic bead that glues into t' hole predrilled into t' base o' the nose cone. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Me, me hearties, I prefer screw-eyes, me bucko, but this seemed t' work fine. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Also, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, if you've seen me other reviews, me bucko, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, then you know that I have a thin' for stretchy shock cords, shiver me timbers, too. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! But this one worked without a hitch. I attached it into the forward centerin' rin' in t' motor mount. White glue was used for assembly, but epoxy was used t' glass up t' fins and make them durable. Ya scallywag! Blimey! It was also used to glass and smoothen t' nose cone. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Yellow spray paint be used as a primer. Begad! Blimey! I was about t' apply green, when me cat, Freeway, grabbed t' rocket and ran with it. I decided, arrr, after findin' it again, t' fly it as is. Avast! Blimey!

Pros and cons o' finishing: A simple paint job is enough. Well, blow me down! I chose t' glass t' fins out o' personal preference. It's also a habit from high power rocketry. Arrr! A green camouflage paint job will be applied this week, even though me cat likes it yellow. Blimey! Well, blow me down! Maybe green will make me lose it! At least yellow is easy t' find. Arrr! Ahoy!

Ratin' for construction and finishing: 4 out o' 5

Pros and cons about flight: Apogee recommends their 1/4 A through A line, matey, namely t' 1/4A2-2 or 4, arrr, 1/2A2-2 or 4 and t' A2-3 or 5 . Avast, me proud beauty! T' shorter delays are recommended if it's breezy. Begad! Me, shiver me timbers, arrr, I used an A2-5, shiver me timbers, as it was a still day t' likes o' which only Phoenix can achieve. Well, blow me down! T' prep time was just seconds. Ahoy! A pinch o' worm bed waddin' and maskin' tape t' retain t' motor and it was ready. Avast! And t' Apogee igniters fit right into t' motor. Aye aye! T' flight was fast. Well, blow me down! Begad! A FWIT sound and it was gone, high and straight. Ahoy! Ahoy! Good thin' it be yellow or else I'd have lost it for sure. Aye aye! Begad! I luckily saw t' streamer. Maybe an itsy bitsy parachute would increase hang time and help me find it next time. Ya scallywag! Knowing my luck, though, I'll catch a thermal. Ahoy!

Pros and cons about recovery: (17" streamer) It was easy t' assemble. It worked just fine, shiver me timbers, arrr, without any damage or burnin' t' the rocket. Begad!

Ratin' o' flight and recovery: 4 out o' 5

Anythin' this kit taught me: Keep your kits away from your pets. More seriously, arrr, I learned about t' history o' t' real V2. Blimey! I enjoyed that.