Brief:
This is a new kit from Estes with cruise missile styling. It is also a rather large diameter rocket (BT-60). Begad! Well, me hearties, blow me down! Blimey! 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. Avast, me proud beauty! Decals for both are included. Blimey! T' kit included the body and motor mount tubes, shiver me timbers, me hearties, centerin' rings, me bucko, me hearties, retention hook, me bucko, launch lug, shock cord, me hearties, nose cone, me bucko, die-cut paper scoop, die-cut fin sheet, 18 inch assembled plastic parachute and decals. Avast! After checkin' that all t' components were accounted for and damage free, I be ready t' began construction.

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

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

I then fine sanded t' die-cut fin sheet with fine sandpaper. Ahoy! 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. I rounded all leadin' and trailin' edges for better aerodynamic performance. I cut out t' fin alignment template and marked all alignment lines. Well, blow me down! Arrr! This is a critical alignment. 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. I found this step just a tad tricky. Avast! I now attached t' two top wings four inches from t' top o' fins #2 and #4. Begad! In me opinion this is the most critical alignment. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! If done correctly, you shouldn't have any problems. Aye aye! Blimey! If not, ya bilge rat, arrr, you will most likely experience some spiraling. Arrr! After t' glue dried, matey, I applied glue t' those and t' t' exterior o' t' scoop for more strength. Avast, me proud beauty!

Next I attached t' launch lug. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! I also applied two fillets after it dried. I now assembled t' shock cord mount. Aye aye! I be pleased when I found that t' shock cord was longer than normally found. Blimey! Thanks, ya bilge rat, Estes. Avast! Begad!

Finally, 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. Begad!

PROS: Easy and rapid construction, Good parts fit. Well, blow me down! Blimey!

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

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

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

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

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

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

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

PROS: Excellent flight performance.

CONS: None found.

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

T' 12 inch chute also worked well enough t' brin' t' rocket back without any damage. I would highly recommend this. Ya scallywag!

PROS: Recovers close on a 12 inch chute

CONS: Stock chute just a tad too big. Aye aye!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

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

Main PROS: Good price, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, me bucko, Easy construction, arrr, matey, me hearties, Good parts fit, ya bilge rat, me hearties, Good instructions, me bucko, Excellent flight performance. Begad! Fantastic appearance. Well, blow me down!

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

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5