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

Construction:
Upon openin' t' package, ya bilge rat, all parts were present. T' body tubes seemed t' be of good quality, matey, as were most parts. Arrr! Blimey! 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. Arrr! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! It be easily repaired with a little TLC. Arrr! Blimey! Reminded me o' an early Estes kit

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

Finishing:
This was just a basic paint job. Blimey! Avast! Blimey! T' instructions suggest what colors t' use, but otherwise, matey, its nothin' too tough. Avast! Blimey! T' body wrap decal need a bit of convincin' t' keep t' seam down. I used a bit o' contact cement which worked wonders. Arrr! Blimey!

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

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

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

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Good experience with me first Quest kit. Avast, me proud beauty! 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, arrr, but OK as is. Blimey!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5