Brief:
A small, matey, lightweight 3FNC rocket with an unusual nose cone.

Construction:
Actually, me bucko, I built 2 Yankee kits; one t' replace t' initial rocket that disappeared after its third flight. T' first kit featured a nice balsa nose cone, but t' second kit, matey, while otherwise identical, me hearties, had a plastic nose cone. Ya scallywag! But both kits featured a paper body tube, die cut balsa fins, shiver me timbers, a short piece o' elastic, arrr, ya bilge rat, a streamer, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, and a decal. Aye aye! t' quality o' components was excellent, except for t' shock cord, which be comically short on each kit.

T' plastic nose cone was a tight fit, matey, and needed considerable sandin' before it would fit. Ahoy! Blimey! T' balsa piece fit nicely but had quite a bit o' grain t' it. Aye aye! Blimey! I prefer this t' plastic, ya bilge rat, me hearties, however. Avast! Blimey! At any rate, me hearties, it is a straightforward build, me hearties, and t' instructions seemed t' be somewhat better than normal Estes fare.

Finishing:
T' balsa nose needed considerable fillin' and sandin' t' be paintable. Ahoy! T' plastic piece be ready t' go right from t' box, once t' shoulder was sanded. Aye aye! I chose t' use automotive primer on t' original, applyin' thin coats and sandin' in betwixt applications t' get rid o' t' spiral and fin grain. Then I applied some black enamel, followed with a coat o' clear t' keep t' decals on. Ya scallywag! Begad! Unfortunately, this one disappeared soon. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! T' second kit be simply sanded and sprayed with red and black and was considered finished after t' decals were applied.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Launchin' with an A8-3 produced a good, straight flight. Begad! I followed this with 2 flights on a B6-6, and t' last one was never seen again. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! T' subsequent kit was flown on "A" motors only for a while, matey, but I couldn't help tryin' a C6-7. Avast! Avast! We lost it too, but fortunately someone in our club found it and brought it t' t' RSO. Aye aye! It has since been modified for 13mm motors, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, and does well enough on an A10-3T. Avast, me proud beauty! I've never had a recovery failure, but if it did, t' thin' is so light weight it would probably recover just fine.

Recovery:
T' supplied shock cord is just too small. Ahoy! After about 6 flights some wear can be seen on t' end o' t' body tube because o' t' shock cord whippin' it. Ahoy! A good thin' t' do would be t' double t' cord length, arrr, at least. Well, blow me down! Also, t' bottom o' t' fins are gettin' crisp, though nay quite burnt. Arrr! Overall, me bucko, though, shiver me timbers, this is a great flier.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Personally, I prefer t' older balsa nose cone, but t' plastic one will suffice. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Either way, matey, it's a great beginner kit that a kid will have no problem constructing, arrr, and will deliver many good flights, ya bilge rat, matey, me hearties, so long as you can find it again. Ahoy! Blimey! But add some length t' t' shock cord!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5