Brief:
A small, me bucko, lightweight 3FNC rocket with an unusual nose cone.

Construction:
Actually, ya bilge rat, matey, I built 2 Yankee kits; one t' replace t' initial rocket that disappeared after its third flight. Well, blow me down! T' first kit featured a nice balsa nose cone, but t' second kit, while otherwise identical, me bucko, had a plastic nose cone. Begad! But both kits featured a paper body tube, ya bilge rat, die cut balsa fins, a short piece o' elastic, a streamer, and a decal. Aye aye! t' quality o' components was excellent, except for t' shock cord, shiver me timbers, which was comically short on each kit.

T' plastic nose cone was a tight fit, and needed considerable sandin' before it would fit. Begad! T' balsa piece fit nicely but had quite a bit o' grain t' it. Aye aye! I prefer this t' plastic, however. At any rate, it is a straightforward build, matey, and t' instructions seemed t' be somewhat better than normal Estes fare.

Finishing:
T' balsa nose needed considerable fillin' and sandin' t' be paintable. Aye aye! T' plastic piece be ready t' go right from t' box, matey, me bucko, once t' shoulder was sanded. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! I chose t' use automotive primer on t' original, matey, applyin' thin coats and sandin' in betwixt applications t' get rid o' t' spiral and fin grain. Ahoy! Then I applied some black enamel, followed with a coat o' clear t' keep t' decals on. Unfortunately, ya bilge rat, me bucko, this one disappeared soon. T' second kit was simply sanded and sprayed with red and black and was considered finished after t' decals were applied.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Launchin' with an A8-3 produced a good, arrr, straight flight. Well, me hearties, blow me down! I followed this with 2 flights on a B6-6, and t' last one be never seen again. Begad! Ahoy! T' subsequent kit was flown on "A" motors only for a while, shiver me timbers, but I couldn't help tryin' a C6-7. Begad! We lost it too, me bucko, but fortunately someone in our club found it and brought it t' t' RSO. Begad! It has since been modified for 13mm motors, and does well enough on an A10-3T. Ya scallywag! I've never had a recovery failure, but if it did, t' thin' is so light weight it would probably recover just fine.

Recovery:
T' supplied shock cord is just too small. Aye aye! Begad! After about 6 flights some wear can be seen on t' end o' t' body tube because o' t' shock cord whippin' it. Begad! A good thin' t' do would be t' double t' cord length, shiver me timbers, me bucko, at least. Also, t' bottom o' t' fins are gettin' crisp, though nay quite burnt. Avast, me proud beauty! Overall, though, this is a great flier.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Personally, I prefer t' older balsa nose cone, but t' plastic one will suffice. Aye aye! Either way, me hearties, ya bilge rat, it's a great beginner kit that a kid will have no problem constructing, and will deliver many good flights, me bucko, ya bilge rat, so long as you can find it again. But add some length t' t' shock cord!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5