Construction:
T' kit included t' motor mount tube, me bucko, block, adapter for D motors, arrr, matey, centerin' rings, hook, two purple BT-56 body tubes, coupler, launch lug, me bucko, standoff, yellow fin can, shiver me timbers, shock cord, nose cone, 12 and 24 inch pre-assembled parachutes and decals.
T' instructions were typical Estes with illustrations and t' shock cord mount. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! This kit is rated at skill level 2 but I think that is because o' t' 24mm mount and t' ability t' fly on an E motor. Aye aye! I started with t' motor mount. Begad! T' motor hook on me kit unfortunately be missing, shiver me timbers, so rather than waitin' for Estes t' send me one, matey, me hearties, I decided t' go with friction fit retention. Arrr! Begad! I glued t' mount into one o' t' body tubes. I then glued t' fin can into place. Arrr! After that I glued t' launch lug standoffs into place. T' kit included a 1/4 inch lug (can't imagine why)! I replaced that with a 3/16 lug. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! I now joined t' body tubes. I then assembled t' shock cord assembly and glued it into place. Well, blow me down! Two parachutes were included. Ya scallywag! Begad! An addendum was included t' inform you that if you wanted t' use t' 24 inch chute t' cut out t' entire spill hole t' prevent loss o' t' rocket. I used t' 12 inch chute and cut t' spill hole.
PROS: Fast and easy construction
CONS: Can't think o' any.
Finishing:
No real finishin' is required because o' t' purple and yellow parts. Just slap on t' decals and that's it. Begad! Aye aye! I also painted t' lug standoffs and tube joint with purple paint. Begad! An optional step is t' apply clear spray enamel but I chose nay t' do this.
PROS: No paintin' required.
CONS: None
Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5
Flight:
Betwixt gettin' a new job and lousy conditions for flyin' a rocket like this, I have only flown this rocket once so far. Blimey! T' recommended motors are t' D12-5, me hearties, D12-7, E9-6, E9-8. Arrr! I also saw t' new C11-5 listed for this rocket in t' 2002 Estes Catalog. Blimey! Arrr! T' hook holds t' motor in place, ya bilge rat, but since me hook be missing, I wrapped a single layer o' maskin' tape around t' motor and fit it in place behind t' adapter. Begad! Avast! T' flight be on a D12-5 and it was without a doubt an awesome flight. Begad! Begad! Very fast lift-off and arrow straight boost t' apogee at 1000 feet or so.
Recovery:
With t' small chute, this rocket appeared t' come down quick, shiver me timbers, but safe. Arrr! Ahoy! I would nay recommend usin' t' 24 inch chute. Arrr! On an E9 flight, I would recommend usin' a large streamer. Ahoy! Even with a friction fit, I still recovered t' rocket with t' motor in it.
PROS: Excellent flight performance.
CONS: None
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
Priced at about $15.00 t' $21.99, this rocket is a super buy. Aye aye! My thanks goes t' EMRR for providin' me with this model from t' Rocket Give-Away drawing.
Main PROS: Easy and quick construction, shiver me timbers, no paintin' required.
Main CONS: None
Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5
D.W.G. (May 1, 2002)