Brief:
Tube Rocket, with transition

Construction:
I received t' package, and t' kit was well packaged. It included 2 main body tubes, a 3.1”x 34” long tube, and a 2.14” x 12” body tube, as well as nose cone, arrr, arrr, ya bilge rat, transition, ya bilge rat, motor mount parts. Well, blow me down! It also comes with (6) 3.1” Tube couplers, arrr, which are used for t' fins. They are pretty durable. As well as (2) ½” diameter launch lugs. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! T' only common thin' is the assembly o' t' Motor mount, matey, and t' shock cord anchor system. Well, blow me down! I did not receive any instructions, arrr, but I had some idea as t' how t' build it. Blimey! I constructed t' entire motor mount assembly usin' 5-minute epoxy. Aye aye! I requested a 29mm motor mount, me hearties, shiver me timbers, which is what he sent me.

I didn't get any instructions for this kit, as it be a Beta test. Avast! But I had an idea o' how t' build it. Avast, me proud beauty! I looked at t' basic parts. Aye aye! Aye aye! I got a vision o' how to build it in me head, then I got t' work. Blimey! It is relatively easy for the intermediate flyer t' build. Begad! T' tube couplers are butted against each other, as well as t' airframe. Once you get t' first coupler on, matey, t' rest o' them are simply butted into place. Well, blow me down! I used sprin' clamps t' help clamp t' portions together, so that I could ensure a good bond betwixt couplers. Avast, me proud beauty! T' only mod I made, was t' scuff some glassine off o' t' contact points, shiver me timbers, me bucko, ya bilge rat, t' help t' epoxy adhere better. Well, blow me down! I used basic 5 and 15 minute epoxy. Avast! Ya scallywag! Everythin' went together without a hitch. Begad! I cant really give any con's about this kit. Ya scallywag!

Finishing:
Pros: It is rather easy t' come up with exotic ideas for paint schemes, shiver me timbers, for instance, arrr, like I did on me rocket, arrr, you can paint every other tube coupler (fin) an alternatin' color, t' give it an "exotic" touch. Ahoy! I used Rustoleum Primer and paint. Avast! Ahoy! Blimey! Cons: If you want t' paint t' inside o' t' couplers, it will be extra work for you.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
First flight be in March o' 2001. Aye aye! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! I used a G64-4w, and I upped t' ejection charge a little, since it was a larger diameter. Begad! Avast! I used a simple screw and a washer for retention. After passin' it through RSO, me hearties, and puttin' it on t' pad, it was time t' witness t' moment o' truth. It lit instantly, and whistled off the pad. Avast! Blimey! T' ejection charge went off just as t' rocket hit apogee, matey, and the 36" parachute opened beautifully. Avast! Blimey! It drifted a little ways, but was recovered. Upon recoverin' it, it was found that one o' t' tube couplers had "caved" in. Ya scallywag! T' simplest and quickest remedy was t' "pop" it back out. Blimey!

Next up, I loaded her up with a G125-5t. Arrr! Begad! A pass through RSO and she be on t' pad within 5 minutes. After t' usual countdown, t' motor lit, and it practically exploded off t' pad, and up to about 750 feet. Begad! T' chute deployed, and it had a flawless recovery. No problems with t' tubes this time. Begad!

I teamed up with a friend o' mine, and we loaded up an H128-M for it. After a few problems with igniters, me bucko, ya bilge rat, she took t' t' air, t' about 1200 feet. Aye aye! The chute deployed right on cue, matey, and I had t' walk a little further, ya bilge rat, but it be an impressive flight, nonetheless. Aye aye!

I flew t' rocket again about a year later, on a G64, matey, and then an H128. Both flights were flawless.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I'd suggest this kit for t' intermediate flyer, me bucko, as it requires a little patience t' build, but if built right, it will bounty you with some good flights. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! This kit always gets attention at our launches. Avast! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! It's waitin' for an Aerotech I200 :)

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5