Brief:
This is a new kit from Estes with cruise missile styling. Ahoy! It is also a rather large diameter rocket (BT-60). It flies on A-C motors and uses a parachute for recovery.

Construction:
T' kit came in a plastic bag with a front panel showin' t' finished rocket with two possible trim schemes. Well, blow me down! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Decals for both are included. Avast, me proud beauty! T' kit included the body and motor mount tubes, centerin' rings, matey, ya bilge rat, retention hook, launch lug, shock cord, me bucko, nose cone, me bucko, me hearties, die-cut paper scoop, me hearties, die-cut fin sheet, matey, shiver me timbers, 18 inch assembled plastic parachute and decals. Well, blow me down! Avast! After checkin' that all t' components were accounted for and damage free, me hearties, ya bilge rat, I was ready t' began construction.

T' instructions came complete with illustrations and text. Blimey! Begad! Also included were t' fin alignment template and t' shock cord mount. Avast, me proud beauty! This is a skill level 2 kit, ya bilge rat, so t' builder is assumed t' have some previous modelin' experience. With that in mind, arrr, shiver me timbers, I began construction. Ahoy! Ya scallywag!

I started with t' motor mount. Aye aye! Begad! This was very easy t' assemble. After it dried and after addin' some fillets for strength, ya bilge rat, me hearties, I glued it into t' body tube. Well, blow me down!

I then fine sanded t' die-cut fin sheet with fine sandpaper. Blimey! I next carefully cut out t' fins. Arrr! You should have four small fins for t' lower portion and two top wings for t' top portion. I rounded all leadin' and trailin' edges for better aerodynamic performance. Ya scallywag! I cut out t' fin alignment template and marked all alignment lines. Avast! This is a critical alignment. Blimey! Next I attached t' lower fins one at a time with a few minutes dryin' time between each.

I then punched out t' die-cut scoop from its card. I attached it between fins #2 and #4. Aye aye! Begad! I found this step just a tad tricky. Ya scallywag! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! I now attached t' two top wings four inches from t' top o' fins #2 and #4. Begad! In me opinion this is the most critical alignment. Avast! Begad! If done correctly, arrr, matey, you shouldn't have any problems. Avast! If not, matey, you will most likely experience some spiraling. After t' glue dried, I applied glue t' those and t' t' exterior o' t' scoop for more strength. Aye aye!

Next I attached t' launch lug. Ya scallywag! I also applied two fillets after it dried. I now assembled t' shock cord mount. Avast! Blimey! I was pleased when I found that t' shock cord was longer than normally found. Ya scallywag! Begad! Thanks, me bucko, Estes. Aye aye!

Finally, I trimmed t' nose cone and sanded it t' remove t' moldin' lines. T' instructions called for t' parachute t' be attached at this time but I always install me chutes after t' rocket is finished. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty!

PROS: Easy and rapid construction, Good parts fit.

CONS: Scoop is somewhat tricky t' attach and no way t' attach interrior fillets.

Finishing:
I started t' finishin' by sprayin' t' model with white automotive primer and sandin' betwixt coats. Arrr! Ya scallywag! I chose t' white sharks mouth scheme. Avast, me proud beauty! I sprayed the model with gloss white spray enamel. Ya scallywag! Since no stripin' material is included, the instructions reccommend stripin' tape. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Instead, I used Top Flite Monokote red and black trim sheets along with t' supplied decals. Man, me hearties, I love that sinister sharks mouth. Well, blow me down!

I finished t' model by sprayin' t' model with gloss clear enamel to protect and seal everything. Begad! Avast! I decided t' use a 12 inch chute that I stole from one o' me X-Flyers rather than t' 18 inch one. Aye aye! I felt that it be too big for this light o' a rocket. Avast! Blimey!

PROS: Decals provided for two trim schemes, Fantastic finished appearance. Arrr! Arrr!

CONS: No stripin' material provided. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Stripin' tape is a tad pricey.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Reccommended motors are t' A8-3, me hearties, me bucko, B4-4 (first flight(, arrr, B6-4, C6-5. Avast! This rocket uses recovery waddin' t' protect t' chute and t' clip retains t' motor. Well, me hearties, blow me down! The chute is packed in t' normal manner.

For me first flight, I used an A8-3 since I be flyin' on a high school football field. Aye aye! Blimey! T' rocket flew straight off t' pad and flew t' about 120 feet. Arrr! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I felt that it was low, me hearties, slow and OK but I felt that more power was needed. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! For t' second flight, me bucko insisted that I try some o' his cellouse waddin' istead o' t' Estes waddin' that I normally used. Avast! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I also loaded up a B6-4. That was a good choice. Arrr! Blimey! T' rocket flew perfectly t' about 300 feet. Avast! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey!

PROS: Excellent flight performance. Begad!

CONS: None found.

Recovery:
I used a 12 inch chute, so both recoveries were recovered very close t' the pad. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I felt that t' provided chute be just a tad too big. It may be fine if you have a lot o' space and/or love t' run a long distance. Well, blow me down! On t' second flight, matey, t' waddin' worked perfectly. Begad! Thanks, Dan.

T' 12 inch chute also worked well enough t' brin' t' rocket back without any damage. Ahoy! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! I would highly recommend this. Well, blow me down! Blimey!

PROS: Recovers close on a 12 inch chute

CONS: Stock chute just a tad too big. Arrr!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Priced at $10.99, I felt that this kit was a good buy. Ya scallywag! Blimey! It was also fun t' build and fly. Aye aye! I feel that Estes did a really good job on this kit. Ya scallywag! I also feel that they should keep it in production for a long time. Begad! I very highly recommend this kit.

Main PROS: Good price, Easy construction, Good parts fit, arrr, me bucko, Good instructions, Excellent flight performance. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Fantastic appearance. Blimey! Begad!

Main CONS: Should have a 12 inch chute instead o' an 18 inch one. Aye aye! Ya scallywag!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5