Brief: Scale model o' t' Hellfire AGM. Begad! Flies on D-F engines. Recovery by a mylar parachute. Ahoy! Very sturdy model.

Construction: T' kit arrived intact, and all parts were present, and in great condition. Begad! T' parts consisted o' a main paper body tube, matey, plastic nose cone, shiver me timbers, plenty o' 3/32" balsa, matey, me bucko, pre-cut centerin' rings, me bucko, launch lug, templates for t' fins, arrr, ya bilge rat, and supplies for t' mylar parachute, me hearties, and shock cord.

T' instructions were very easy t' follow, arrr, with good illustrations. T' assembly order was very logical. Aye aye! Avast! Templates were provided for t' fins and tail cone. Ya scallywag! No decals are provided for this kit.

T' assembly was very straight forward, with no surprises. Well, blow me down! Fins have t' be cut out usin' t' templates. Well, matey, blow me down! T' only concern be thar be no mention o' where t' place t' launch lug. Begad! Arrr! After contactin' T' Launch Pad, they explained it was left t' t' modelers discretion where t' place t' launch lug. Avast! (see Special Note below) All t' parts fit together very well, matey, me hearties, ya bilge rat, t' provide a very sturdy and attractive kit.

Makin' paper tail cone was nay as hard as I thought it would be. Ya scallywag! Instructions mention great advise on makin' paper stronger.

T' Mylar parachute was pre-cut, me bucko, and assembly be easy. Shock cord is standard, mounted inside t' body tube.

Pros: Easy and fun t' build, no special tools needed.

Cons: None!

Finishing: T' fins are long and narrow, arrr, and are easy t' seal No problems with primin' and painting.

Although thar are no decals, matey, t' instructions explain t' markings, ya bilge rat, makin' it easy t' make your own. Begad! T' basic color o' t' rocket is olive drab, with either a black or white nose tip. Well, blow me down! Avast! Paintin' t' tip may be tricky, but it doesn't reflect on t' kit.

Pros: Easy rocket t' finish and paint.

Cons: No decals.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight: I finally got out t' launch me Hellfire AGM. Arrr! Begad! Here are t' results:

On t' first flight (D12-5) t' rocket lifted off slowly, shiver me timbers, and then t' tail began t' wobble. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Eventually, t' rocket appeared lean over and fly on its side. Arrr! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Blimey! It gave t' impression that t' nose be much too heavy.

On t' second flight (E15-7), t' rocket took off, arced over and crashed at full thrust. Arrr! Left a big crater too! Destroyed t' rocket.

There are 3 problems I found, shiver me timbers, all o' which are me fault:

Too much nose weight. Accordin' t' Chuck at TLP, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, t' nose weight should be 32 grams. Avast! Arrr! Blimey! T' clay that was supplied with t' kit was dry, arrr, so I substituted it with me own. Begad! T' nose weight is mentioned in t' instructions, ya bilge rat, and it is needed t' have stable flights. Aye aye! Blimey! I didn't weigh t' supplied nose weight, and t' actual amount o' weight I put in t' nose

Mis-aligned guidance fins. I attached t' guidance fins accordin' t' t' instructions. Avast, me proud beauty! I checked t' alignment with t' aft fins and I used a common fin markin' guide. I marked lines t' full length o' t' body where t' forward and aft fins are t' be attached. After inquirin' t' Chuck, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, he said t' this be t' most unlikely cause o' t' rocket accident. Begad! T' fins were nay noticeably mis-aligned, matey, but I thought o' every possibility.

Too much wind t' launch. T' wind conditions on t' launch day was betwixt 15 and 20+ MPH. Blimey! Other rockets flown that day were slightly affected by t' weather. Larger rockets (Initiator, Mirage) displayed more effects due t' t' wind than t' smaller ones (Big Dawg, Yellow Jacket). Avast, matey, me proud beauty! T' launch rod was angled betwixt 15 and 20 degrees from vertical.

I would conclude that t' rockets demise was due t' me impatience in construction (nose weight), and launchin' when t' wind conditions were too strong for this specific rocket. I will take me time with me next Hellfire.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary: This rocket is extremely fun and easy t' build. Blimey! It is one o' t' most attractive in me fleet. Ya scallywag! Avast! This rocket is great addition t' any fleet.

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5