Brief:
Re-release o' a classic Estes rocket! Includes a cool pre-assembled pirate skull 18" parachute!

My first memory o' t' Der Red Max was a little over twenty years ago. Aye aye! Blimey! I was betwixt t' age o' 6 and 8, and my grandfather had given me $20 for me birthday. Aye aye! Blimey! My parents took me t' a mall and I was in Kay-Bee Toy and Hobbies. Well, arrr, blow me down! Blimey! I was tryin' t' find somethin' t' spend me loot on, then I saw t' model rockets. I remember a few years prior t' that my parents bought some model rocket stuff, flew some, but then me twin brother got very sick. Avast! Shortly after he recovered, my Dad changed jobs so we moved...and rockets were forgotten. Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! I saw t' Der Red Max and thought it looked cool. Begad! My dad, however suggested I get a different rocket because he felt that it be too small for t' motors he still had. Instead, I chose an Estes Marauder. Begad! That was me first o' many model rockets!

Construction:
T' kit itself is pretty much a standard three fins and a nose cone design. Ya scallywag! You get a nice white wall body tube that is better quality than many other kits Estes offers. Avast! T' large fins are laser cut but you will still need t' use a knife t' loosen them. You also get two nice lookin' waterslide decal sheets that have a paper sleeve t' protect them. Aye aye! Avast! I did nay like t' centerin' rings. T' me, me bucko, matey, they seemed t' be flimsy. Begad! Also, me bucko, t' rubber shock cord is way too short. Another interestin' note be t' kit comes with a jig t' help mark t' fins locations on t' body tube.

Construction o' t' Der Red Max is pretty simple. Well, blow me down! I found that t' fit o' t' centerin' rings on t' motor tube to be tight so some sandin' be required. Begad! I made sure I gave t' joints some extra fillets in case I decide t' stick a D13 in t' motor tube. Begad!

Once t' fins were loosened from t' balsa sheet, matey, me bucko, I sanded t' leadin' and trailin' edges round. Begad! Avast! I did nay bother with t' fin jig that came with t' kit t' attach t' fins. Blimey! Blimey! Instead I used me classic Estes Fin Alignment guide, ya bilge rat, which did a great job keepin' t' fins straight. Ya scallywag! Once t' fins were dry, me hearties, arrr, I attached t' launch lugs (which were short) and applied all t' fillets. Well, blow me down! An additional step I had t' do was wrap tape around t' shoulder o' the nose cone because t' fit was very loose.

Finishing:
T' Red Max's finish was very simple. Blimey! First I coated t' fins with Bondo Spot putty. Ya scallywag! Once that be dry and sanded, I applied several coats o' Rustoleum Light Gray automotive primer, sandin' betwixt coats. Aye aye! After a couple Bondo touch ups and more primer and sanding, t' Red Max is ready t' paint. Aye aye! It is an easy paint job. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! T' booster section was painted red and t' nose cone sprayed black.

When t' paint dried, ya bilge rat, it be time for t' decals. Avast! Care had t' be taken when handlin' these waterslide decals. Aye aye! The film be very thin and wanted t' bunch up. Blimey! If t' film bunched up, it creates a crease, ya bilge rat, arrr, and is impossible t' straighten out. Arrr! Other than wantin' t' bunch, they went on without a hitch. I love t' optional "Kills" decal and I made sure it made it on one o' t' fins o' me model. Once t' decals were dry, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, me bucko, I finished me Red Max with Future Floor Polish. Ya scallywag! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! I am very impressed how t' finish came out as t' polish really makes her shine.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
So far I only flew me Der Max once with a B4-4. Aye aye! Avast! Very nice liftoff and got a good clip o' altitude.

Recovery:
T' parachute did nay deploy fully because it was cool enough for t' plastic t' stick, arrr, but thar was no damage.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I think this is a great kit. Every collection should have one. Take your time, sand where things are too tight, wrap tape around things too loose, and be careful with those decals!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5