Brief:
An upscaled version o' t' classic Alpha that flies on standard Estes 18mm engines. Ya scallywag! Almost 20 inches tall, this rocket reaches heights o' 600 feet.

Construction:
Balsa Nose Cone, shiver me timbers, me hearties, Laser-cut Balsa Fins, Cardstock Centerin' Rings, matey, Engine Hook, BT-60 body tube, matey, and waterslide Decals

T' motor mount is constructed usin' typical methods. Begad! T' only thin' I changed was t' add a Keelhaul®©™ shock cord that ties around t' motor tube betwixt t' upper and lower centerin' ring. Aye aye! I used a small amount o' wood glue inside t' body tube and t' motor mount was inserted into t' BT. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' next step was t' I fill t' spirals. Ahoy! After sandin' t' BT, t' tube be marked for t' fin locations and t' launch lug. Begad! Well, blow me down! T' laser-cut fins are made from 1/8 hard balsa. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! T' fins leadin' edge was rounded and they were glued onto t' BT usin' a very small amount o' 5 minute epoxy. Well, blow me down! Once t' fins were attached and allowed t' dry, ya bilge rat, small epoxy micro balloon fillets were created around t' fins and launch lug t' add some strength and t' clean up t' joints. Arrr! T' launch lugs was attached t' t' bt usin' epoxy as well. T' kit provides one long launch that I cut in half and installed them on t' bt about 7" apart.

T' only con was t' nose cone. Begad! Aye aye! It be made from hard balsa which is good, but it was very heavy. Begad! Arrr! I used t' stock cone so it's no big deal. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! However, ya bilge rat, because o' t' weight o' t' cone hittin' t' advertised weight o' 2.2oz is nearly impossible.

Finishing:
I sealed t' balsa fins and nose cone with two coats o' Minwax Polyurethane. Arrr! Once dry they were sanded smooth and coated usin' thinned spackle that was brushed on t' fill t' wood grain. Ya scallywag! T' filler was sanded off and t' rocket was primed with two coats o' Dupli-Color High Fill Primer sandin' betwixt coats. Arrr! T' Super Alpha be painted silver with Dupli-color, and t' metallic black was Rustoleum. Well, blow me down! Once t' body be allowed t' completely dry t' Super Alpha decal was applied. Avast! T' decal applied easily with no issues.

Construction Rating: 4out o' 5

Flight:
I flew t' Super Alpha three times on t' first day. Aye aye! I used an Estes C6-3, shiver me timbers, matey, Estes C6-5, matey, and a Quest C6-3. Preparation is very easy since t' BT-60 gives you plenty o' room t' pack t' chute. Ahoy! Avast! All three flights were perfect, stable, arrr, and recovered close t' t' pad. Aye aye! On one o' t' flights t' nose cone impacted t' top o' t' BT causin' very minor damage that was easily fixed.

Recovery:
T' supplied 18" 'chute is a little on t' large size, arrr, so if it's windy be prepared for a walk. Begad! Blimey! I used t' 18" 'chute for t' first three flights, me bucko, but t' wind was less than 5mph. A 12" or 16" parachute would be better.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Estes Super Alpha is another great offering. Well, blow me down! It's a very easy t' build model with great instructions. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! T' rocket flies great as designed and is durable. T' Super Alpha can be easily modified t' accept 24mm motors as well.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5