Brief: Scale model o' t' Hellfire AGM. Avast, me proud beauty! Flies on D-F engines. Recovery by a mylar parachute. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Very sturdy model.

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

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

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

Makin' paper tail cone was nay as hard as I thought it would be. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Instructions mention great advise on makin' paper stronger.

T' Mylar parachute was pre-cut, matey, and assembly was 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, and are easy t' seal No problems with primin' and painting.

Although thar are no decals, shiver me timbers, t' instructions explain t' markings, makin' it easy t' make your own. T' basic color o' t' rocket is olive drab, arrr, with either a black or white nose tip. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! 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. Avast, me proud beauty! Here are t' results:

On t' first flight (D12-5) t' rocket lifted off slowly, arrr, and then t' tail began t' wobble. Eventually, arrr, t' rocket appeared lean over and fly on its side. Aye aye! It gave t' impression that t' nose was much too heavy.

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

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

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

Mis-aligned guidance fins. I attached t' guidance fins accordin' t' t' instructions. I checked t' alignment with t' aft fins and I used a common fin markin' guide. Ahoy! I marked lines t' full length o' t' body where t' forward and aft fins are t' be attached. Arrr! After inquirin' t' Chuck, me bucko, shiver me timbers, he said t' this was t' most unlikely cause o' t' rocket accident. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! T' fins were nay noticeably mis-aligned, shiver me timbers, but I thought o' every possibility.

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

I would conclude that t' rockets demise be due t' me impatience in construction (nose weight), matey, and launchin' when t' wind conditions were too strong for this specific rocket. Avast! 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. Avast! It is one o' t' most attractive in me fleet. This rocket is great addition t' any fleet.

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5