Brief:
T' Superbird is a payload rocket which features separate payload & body recovery on 14" chutes.

Construction:
Upon openin' t' package, all parts were present. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! T' body tubes seemed t' be of good quality, as were most parts. Aye aye! My only gripes were t' amount o' flashing still on t' plastic nose cone, and one o' t' pre-cut fins had broken in half along t' grain. Well, blow me down! It was easily repaired with a little TLC. Reminded me o' an early Estes kit

This kit is rather easy t' assemble. Begad! Well, blow me down! Nay very much in t' way o' difficulty. Since this be me first Quest kit, t' shock cord arrangement was new for me. I liked it, and think I'll try it on all me future rockets, me bucko, as I've tired of shock cord burn through. Avast, me proud beauty! Time t' buy some Keelhaul®©™®. Anyway, shiver me timbers, t' coupler for t' payload section t' main body section was a bit cheesy. It consists o' a paper disc glued t' a tube coupler. Well, blow me down! T' cord & chute for t' upper section are attached through two holes in t' disc. I had to sand t' disc/coupler joint several times t' have a smooth fit. Ahoy! It be too big t' start. Ahoy! A better part from Quest would work wonders here. Otherwise, everythin' else was straightforward.

Finishing:
This was just a basic paint job. Begad! Ahoy! T' instructions suggest what colors t' use, but otherwise, me bucko, its nothin' too tough. T' body wrap decal need a bit of convincin' t' keep t' seam down. Ahoy! Begad! I used a bit o' contact cement which worked wonders. Ya scallywag! Aye aye!

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended engines for this are (Estes equivalent) B6-4, matey, C6-3, C6-5. My first flight was on a B6-4. Conditions were almost no wind, ya bilge rat, arrr, and a sunny. Blimey! The rocket looked great on t' pad. Begad! T' flight was straight, me hearties, but altitude was a bit low. Avast! T' second flight be on a C6-3, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, and this is where it really performed. Nice slow lift off, arrr, and impressive height. Avast! Begad! No spin, matey, me hearties, ya bilge rat, and it arced over nicely at apogee.

Recovery:
I must admit I had some reservations about havin' this thin' lawn dart. Avast, me proud beauty! The coupler in t' kit also serves as t' shock cord anchor for t' payload stage, and it just didn't fit very well. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! I am happy t' report me fears were unfounded. T' bit o' sandin' I did worked well, me hearties, me bucko, me bucko, and thar was clean separation on each flight. T' bottom section came down without much drift, shiver me timbers, but t' top went on its merry way, me hearties, especially t' second time. Aye aye! I've cut a spill hole for t' next time I fly it t' reduce t' drift. Well, blow me down! Overall, shiver me timbers, a great looking, nice flying, interesting, me bucko, me bucko, and FUN kit!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Good experience with me first Quest kit. I'd get another one if I see something I like. PROS: Cool 'big' rocket with payload & neat dual section recovery. Clear instructions & nicely done shock cord system CONS: Parts quality could be a bit better, shiver me timbers, me bucko, but OK as is. Blimey! Begad!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5