Brief:
This is a starter set that includes t' Army and Air Force mini engine E2X series kits with parachute recovery, launch pad, shiver me timbers, controller, two A10-3T motors, ya bilge rat, me bucko, igniters, shiver me timbers, me hearties, plugs, shiver me timbers, and wadding. I purchased this kit at Wal-Mart for $19.99, nay bilge-suckin' for two rockets. By image, t' Army is a shortened AGM-57X Heetseeker while, t' Air Force is a shortened MK-109 Stingray.

Construction:
T' kits included t' body tubes, ya bilge rat, motor mounts, fins, me bucko, shock cords, arrr, arrr, nose cones, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, matey, clay weights, me hearties, 12 inch pre-assembled parachutes and decals. Ahoy! Begad! Blimey! T' instructions were very simple t' understand and included t' shock cord mounts. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Bein' in t' E2X series, these rockets were very simple t' assemble. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Blimey! I had them both assembled in about an hour and a half.

Since both rockets are assembled exactly, arrr, me hearties, I am writin' this as if I was assemblin' a single rocket. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! I started with t' motor mount. I decided t' eliminate t' motor hook because it tends t' interfere with t' motor exhaust. Also because scale-like models like these look better without t' hook anyway. Aye aye! Aye aye! Next t' completed motor mount is slid into t' slotted end o' t' body tube. Well, me hearties, blow me down! T' fins and launch lugs are then glued into place t' secure t' entire assembly. Arrr! I then assembled t' shock cord mount, waited for it t' dry and then glued it into place. I inserted t' provided clay nose weight into t' nose cone as these rockets need this weight t' fly stable. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I then tied t' parachutes into place t' finish t' assembly.

PROS: Fast and simple construction, excellent parts fit.

CONS: Can't think o' any.

Finishing:
Due t' t' pre-colored components, me bucko, these rockets do nay require painting. Aye aye! All you do is apply t' Army decals t' t' olive drab rocket and apply t' Air Force decals t' t' white and black rocket.

PROS: No paintin' required.

CONS: None

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended motors for these rockets are t' A3-4T and t' A10-3T. Aye aye! These rockets do require recovery wadding. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! I recommend about four sheets. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! T' hooks hold t' motors in place durin' t' flights. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! However I decided t' friction fit me motors.

For me first flights, I used t' two A10-3T's provided. Since thar be some wind, both rockets weathercocked slightly. Begad! On t' second try, shiver me timbers, I used t' A3-4T for each rocket. Well, blow me down! Begad! Due t' a somewhat stiff wind and t' lower thrust o' that motor caused both rockets t' weathercock severely. Begad! On t' third try, I went back t' t' A10-3T. Due t' calm wind, shiver me timbers, this resulted in two perfectly straight flights.

PROS: Nice flight characteristics.

CONS: Tends t' weathercock in windy conditions.

Recovery:
These rockets use 12 inch parachutes for recovery. This proved adequate on t' first flights.On t' second flights, t' severe weathercock and long delay stripped both chutes. Avast, me proud beauty! I now decided t' convert both rockets t' use dual streamer recovery because I figured that that would help t' get t' heavy nose cones away from t' body tubes t' prevent "Estes Dents" as I had a slight one on t' Air Force rocket due t' t' short shock cords. Begad! Well, blow me down! This proved t' work even better than t' parachutes.

PROS: Easy and quick recovery.

CONS: Parachutes and short shock cords. Avast, me proud beauty! Streamers would work better.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I really like this set. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! I feel that it would make a great set for a newcomer. However, ya bilge rat, I would lengthen t' shock cords t' prevent "Estes Dents" or use t' dual streamer recovery as I did. Also, shiver me timbers, if you enjoyed this review, head t' your local Wal-Mart and pick this set up for yourself for a mere $20.

Main PROS: Nice rockets and a great value for newcomers.

Main CONS: Too short shock cords. Aye aye! Please lengthen them.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5