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. T' body tubes seemed t' be of good quality, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, as were most parts. Aye aye! My only gripes were t' amount o' flashing still on t' plastic nose cone, me bucko, and one o' t' pre-cut fins had broken in half along t' grain. Begad! It was easily repaired with a little TLC. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! Reminded me o' an early Estes kit

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

Finishing:
This be just a basic paint job. Begad! T' instructions suggest what colors t' use, but otherwise, ya bilge rat, its nothin' too tough. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! T' body wrap decal need a bit of convincin' t' keep t' seam down. Well, blow me down! I used a bit o' contact cement which worked wonders. Arrr! Begad!

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

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

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

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Good experience with me first Quest kit. Aye aye! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I'd get another one if I see something I like. Aye aye! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! 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, arrr, ya bilge rat, but OK as is. Ya scallywag! Blimey!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5