Brief: Scale model o' t' Hellfire AGM. Avast! Flies on D-F engines. Arrr! Recovery by a mylar parachute. Well, me bucko, blow me down! Very sturdy model.

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

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

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

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

T' Mylar parachute be pre-cut, and assembly was easy. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! Shock cord is standard, ya bilge rat, 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, t' instructions explain t' markings, ya bilge rat, makin' it easy t' make your own. Ahoy! Blimey! T' basic color o' t' rocket is olive drab, ya bilge rat, with either a black or white nose tip. Blimey! 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! Aye aye! Here are t' results:

On t' first flight (D12-5) t' rocket lifted off slowly, matey, and then t' tail began t' wobble. Aye aye! Arrr! Eventually, 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), t' rocket took off, arced over and crashed at full thrust. Begad! 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. Arrr! T' clay that was supplied with t' kit was dry, me hearties, shiver me timbers, so I substituted it with me own. T' nose weight is mentioned in t' instructions, me bucko, shiver me timbers, and it is needed t' have stable flights. 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. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! I checked t' alignment with t' aft fins and I used a common fin markin' guide. Begad! I marked lines t' full length o' t' body where t' forward and aft fins are t' be attached. After inquirin' t' Chuck, me bucko, he said t' this be t' most unlikely cause o' t' rocket accident. Begad! Well, me bucko, blow me down! T' fins were nay noticeably mis-aligned, me hearties, 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! Arrr! Larger rockets (Initiator, Mirage) displayed more effects due t' t' wind than t' smaller ones (Big Dawg, Yellow Jacket). Begad! 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), matey, shiver me timbers, and launchin' when t' wind conditions were too strong for this specific rocket. Arrr! Well, blow me down! 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. Aye aye! This rocket is great addition t' any fleet.

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5