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

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

I started with t' motor mount. Aye aye! This was very easy t' assemble. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! After it dried and after addin' some fillets for strength, arrr, ya bilge rat, I glued it into t' body tube. Well, blow me down!

I then fine sanded t' die-cut fin sheet with fine sandpaper. Arrr! I next carefully cut out t' fins. Begad! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! 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. Blimey! Avast! I cut out t' fin alignment template and marked all alignment lines. Ya scallywag! This is a critical alignment. Avast! Next I attached t' lower fins one at a time with a few minutes dryin' time between each. Begad!

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

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

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. Arrr!

PROS: Easy and rapid construction, me bucko, arrr, Good parts fit.

CONS: Scoop is somewhat tricky t' attach and no way t' attach interrior fillets. Well, blow me down! Blimey! 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. Begad! I sprayed the model with gloss white spray enamel. Arrr! Since no stripin' material is included, the instructions reccommend stripin' tape. Instead, me bucko, I used Top Flite Monokote red and black trim sheets along with t' supplied decals. Man, arrr, shiver me timbers, I love that sinister sharks mouth.

I finished t' model by sprayin' t' model with gloss clear enamel to protect and seal everything. Well, blow me down! Blimey! 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, Fantastic finished appearance. Well, blow me down!

CONS: No stripin' material provided. Well, blow me down! Stripin' tape is a tad pricey.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

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

PROS: Excellent flight performance. Ahoy! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Blimey!

CONS: None found.

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

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

PROS: Recovers close on a 12 inch chute

CONS: Stock chute just a tad too big. Begad!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

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

Main PROS: Good price, Easy construction, me hearties, Good parts fit, ya bilge rat, me hearties, Good instructions, shiver me timbers, Excellent flight performance. Fantastic appearance. Arrr!

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

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5