Brief:
This is a new kit from Estes with cruise missile styling. Well, blow me down! It is also a rather large diameter rocket (BT-60). Avast! It flies on A-C motors and uses a parachute for recovery.

Construction:
T' kit came in a plastic bag with a front panel showin' t' finished rocket with two possible trim schemes. Ahoy! Decals for both are included. Avast! Begad! T' kit included the body and motor mount tubes, matey, centerin' rings, me bucko, retention hook, launch lug, shock cord, shiver me timbers, nose cone, die-cut paper scoop, die-cut fin sheet, arrr, 18 inch assembled plastic parachute and decals. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! After checkin' that all t' components were accounted for and damage free, me hearties, I was ready t' began construction.

T' instructions came complete with illustrations and text. Begad! Also included were t' fin alignment template and t' shock cord mount. This is a skill level 2 kit, so t' builder is assumed t' have some previous modelin' experience. With that in mind, me bucko, arrr, I began construction.

I started with t' motor mount. Ahoy! This was very easy t' assemble. After it dried and after addin' some fillets for strength, shiver me timbers, I glued it into t' body tube. Aye aye!

I then fine sanded t' die-cut fin sheet with fine sandpaper. I next carefully cut out t' fins. You should have four small fins for t' lower portion and two top wings for t' top portion. Aye aye! I rounded all leadin' and trailin' edges for better aerodynamic performance. Avast! Avast! I cut out t' fin alignment template and marked all alignment lines. This is a critical alignment. Aye aye! Next I attached t' lower fins one at a time with a few minutes dryin' time between each. Aye aye!

I then punched out t' die-cut scoop from its card. I attached it between fins #2 and #4. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! Blimey! I found this step just a tad tricky. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I now attached t' two top wings four inches from t' top o' fins #2 and #4. In me opinion this is the most critical alignment. Avast! Blimey! If done correctly, ya bilge rat, you shouldn't have any problems. Begad! Blimey! If not, shiver me timbers, you will most likely experience some spiraling. Aye aye! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! After t' glue dried, shiver me timbers, I applied glue t' those and t' t' exterior o' t' scoop for more strength. Arrr! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey!

Next I attached t' launch lug. I also applied two fillets after it dried. I now assembled t' shock cord mount. Blimey! Arrr! I was pleased when I found that t' shock cord was longer than normally found. Blimey! Thanks, Estes. Avast, me proud beauty!

Finally, matey, I trimmed t' nose cone and sanded it t' remove t' moldin' lines. T' instructions called for t' parachute t' be attached at this time but I always install me chutes after t' rocket is finished.

PROS: Easy and rapid construction, matey, Good parts fit.

CONS: Scoop is somewhat tricky t' attach and no way t' attach interrior fillets. Ahoy! Blimey!

Finishing:
I started t' finishin' by sprayin' t' model with white automotive primer and sandin' betwixt coats. I chose t' white sharks mouth scheme. I sprayed the model with gloss white spray enamel. Ya scallywag! Since no stripin' material is included, the instructions reccommend stripin' tape. Begad! Ahoy! Instead, me hearties, I used Top Flite Monokote red and black trim sheets along with t' supplied decals. Man, I love that sinister sharks mouth.

I finished t' model by sprayin' t' model with gloss clear enamel to protect and seal everything. Blimey! Arrr! I decided t' use a 12 inch chute that I stole from one o' me X-Flyers rather than t' 18 inch one. Aye aye! I felt that it was too big for this light o' a rocket.

PROS: Decals provided for two trim schemes, Fantastic finished appearance. Avast! Well, blow me down!

CONS: No stripin' material provided. Aye aye! Stripin' tape is a tad pricey.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Reccommended motors are t' A8-3, arrr, B4-4 (first flight(, me bucko, B6-4, matey, ya bilge rat, C6-5. Well, blow me down! This rocket uses recovery waddin' t' protect t' chute and t' clip retains t' motor. Avast! The chute is packed in t' normal manner.

For me first flight, shiver me timbers, I used an A8-3 since I be flyin' on a high school football field. Ya scallywag! T' rocket flew straight off t' pad and flew t' about 120 feet. Ahoy! Ahoy! I felt that it was low, slow and OK but I felt that more power was needed. Avast, me proud beauty! For t' second flight, arrr, ya bilge rat, me bucko insisted that I try some o' his cellouse waddin' istead o' t' Estes waddin' that I normally used. Aye aye! Blimey! I also loaded up a B6-4. Blimey! That was a good choice. Aye aye! T' rocket flew perfectly t' about 300 feet. Ya scallywag!

PROS: Excellent flight performance. Avast, me proud beauty!

CONS: None found.

Recovery:
I used a 12 inch chute, me hearties, so both recoveries were recovered very close t' the pad. Begad! Begad! I felt that t' provided chute be just a tad too big. Begad! It may be fine if you have a lot o' space and/or love t' run a long distance. Aye aye! On t' second flight, t' waddin' worked perfectly. Avast! Blimey! Thanks, me bucko, Dan. Ahoy! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty!

T' 12 inch chute also worked well enough t' brin' t' rocket back without any damage. Begad! Begad! I would highly recommend this. Well, blow me down!

PROS: Recovers close on a 12 inch chute

CONS: Stock chute just a tad too big. Ahoy! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Priced at $10.99, matey, I felt that this kit was a good buy. Avast! Ya scallywag! Blimey! It be also fun t' build and fly. I feel that Estes did a really good job on this kit. Begad! I also feel that they should keep it in production for a long time. Well, blow me down! I very highly recommend this kit.

Main PROS: Good price, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, Easy construction, Good parts fit, matey, Good instructions, me bucko, Excellent flight performance. Aye aye! Fantastic appearance. Blimey!

Main CONS: Should have a 12 inch chute instead o' an 18 inch one. Blimey!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5