(12/31/04) I haven't build a Custom kit in a very long time. Ahoy! However, me hearties, BRS Hobbies asked me t' build this one and review it for EMRR. Avast! Well, blow me down! So, I did.

T' Sport is a straightforward four-fins-and-a-nosecone rocket. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! It barely qualifies t' be considered a "longneck" on EMRR. Blimey! Well, blow me down! T' Sport is a "longneck" because it has a 0.976" diameter and is 29.5" long, givin' it a 30.2:1 length to diameter ratio.

Click t' see me 18mm Longneck comparison article

T' rocket includes three 9" long, ya bilge rat, 0.976" diameter, shiver me timbers, light brown paper body tube for t' main body and a 2 1/2" hollow plastic nosecone. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! T' kits includes die-cut 1/16" balsa fins. The motor mount consists o' one 18mm motor tube, a thrust ring, me hearties, two centerin' rings and a motor hook. T' recovery system made up o' a 15" long, ya bilge rat, matey, 1/8" wide, white elastic shock cord, a 3-fold paper mount, ya bilge rat, and a 12" plastic parachute that t' builder assembles. Lastly t' kit includes two tube couplers, two 1/8" diameter launch lugs, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, and a pressure sensitive decal sheet.

CONSTRUCTION:

T' instructions are printed on both sides of a single page o' 8½ x 14" paper (folded into a nice 8-page instruction sheet). Avast! Avast! T' instructions include illustrations t' ensure success.

Custom calls this a Skill Level 1 kit. Begad! Aye aye! We agree.

T' motor mount is built first. Blimey! Very standard. Ahoy! Begad! It includes a motor hook that is secured with t' lower centering ring. Begad! This is then glued into t' body tube.

Next, t' body tube is marked usin' a 2D markin' guide that is right in t' instructions. Blimey! I used t' door jam method to extend t' lines.

T' fins are next. Die-cut make it easy. Avast! Blimey! They are glued in place on t' body tube, ya bilge rat, leavin' 1" from t' aft. Aye aye! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! The instructions guide you t' apply fillets and then t' seal them.

T' body tubes are coupled together and then the launch lugs are added.

T' last steps are t' attached t' elastic shock cord t' t' plastic nose cone and t' 3-fold paper mount it t' t' inside of t' upper body tube. Well, blow me down! T' parachute is then assemble.

Custom gives a number o' basic finishing guidance includin' suggested paintin' colors and maskin' technique.

I have been surprised with several days just at 50 degrees F, so I have been able t' use me typical multiple coats of Plastic-Kote Primer and sandin' in-between. Then amazingly, on t' last day of November, it be warm enough t' paint. I used Walmart Fire Red paint on the whole body. Blimey! I waited 2 hours, masked off t' top, and used Walmart Gloss Black paint t' finish it off (additional comments about Walmart paint).

After dryin' over-night, matey, matey, I applied the peel-n-stick decal. It is nay t' easiest t' get aligned properly, so take your time.

Overall, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 5 points. Ya scallywag! Custom makes some nice kits. Ahoy! Instructions, me bucko, arrr, die-cut balsa, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, motor retention and a plastic nose cone help t' make this one a very nice starters model. Then add a decal for looks. Blimey! Avast!

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

Custom recommends t' A8-3, me hearties, me hearties, B6-4, shiver me timbers, matey, and C6-5 motors.

Custom indicates that t' rocket should weigh 1.48 ounces.

My finished rocket weighed in at 1.6 ounces.

On December 29th, me son and I went sledding and I was noticin' that thar was absolutely no wind. Since I was fortunate enough t' get t' rocket painted on t' last day o' November, I decided I should try t' fly it as well. Aye aye!

So we packed up a couple o' rockets and went for a few quick launches.

I used 3 sheets o' Estes waddin' and then loaded an A8-3. Avast! T' flight be short, me hearties, me hearties, stable and ejected at apogee. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Good motor match. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! Upon inspection I found that t' upper tube had a dent in it from the nose cone kick back (short elastic shock cord). Ahoy! I straightened that out with my finger and got it ready again.

This time on a B6-4. Blimey! Another successful launch and straight up flight. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! Nay too high. Ejection was at apogee again, shiver me timbers, but thar was a hang up. Avast! This time, t' parachute hooked on t' aft fin. Blimey! It be then pulled tight enough by t' elastic t' stay there. It fell and landed in this position. That landin' cause a fin t' nearly detach from t' body. Blimey! Repairable.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, I would rate this rocket 3 points. Average t' t' industry flights (and t' size o' rocket). Aye aye! Arrr! I'd sure like t' see Custom listen t' t' same advice that many, shiver me timbers, many have given to Estes... longer shock cords please. At least double them for your kits.

I give t' rocket an OVERALL ratin' o' 4 points. Arrr! For a quick build, with a neat look due t' t' paint scheme and decal, this rocket is a nice 18mm longneck. Ahoy! T' plastic nose cone is also a nice change from all t' balsa ones I've been finishin' lately.