Brief:
This is a new kit from Estes with cruise missile styling. Ya scallywag! It is also a rather large diameter rocket (BT-60). Aye aye! 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. Begad! Decals for both are included. Well, blow me down! T' kit included the body and motor mount tubes, centerin' rings, ya bilge rat, retention hook, launch lug, shock cord, arrr, nose cone, die-cut paper scoop, me bucko, die-cut fin sheet, me hearties, 18 inch assembled plastic parachute and decals. 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. Avast! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Also included were t' fin alignment template and t' shock cord mount. Blimey! Blimey! This is a skill level 2 kit, so t' builder is assumed t' have some previous modelin' experience. With that in mind, shiver me timbers, I began construction. Ahoy! Blimey!

I started with t' motor mount. Avast! Arrr! Blimey! This be very easy t' assemble. After it dried and after addin' some fillets for strength, matey, 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, blow me down! You should have four small fins for t' lower portion and two top wings for t' top portion. Well, matey, blow me down! I rounded all leadin' and trailin' edges for better aerodynamic performance. Blimey! I cut out t' fin alignment template and marked all alignment lines. Avast, me proud beauty! This is a critical alignment. Aye aye! Begad! Next I attached t' lower fins one at a time with a few minutes dryin' time between each. Ya scallywag!

I then punched out t' die-cut scoop from its card. Begad! I attached it between fins #2 and #4. Well, blow me down! 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. In me opinion this is the most critical alignment. Avast! If done correctly, you shouldn't have any problems. Begad! If not, you will most likely experience some spiraling. Blimey! Well, me hearties, blow me down! After t' glue dried, 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. Aye aye! I also applied two fillets after it dried. I now assembled t' shock cord mount. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! I was pleased when I found that t' shock cord was longer than normally found. Ya scallywag! Thanks, Estes.

Finally, matey, me bucko, 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. Avast! Begad!

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

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

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

I finished t' model by sprayin' t' model with gloss clear enamel to protect and seal everything. Avast! 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! Ahoy!

PROS: Decals provided for two trim schemes, Fantastic finished appearance. Begad!

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

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

For me first flight, ya bilge rat, me hearties, ya bilge rat, I used an A8-3 since I be flyin' on a high school football field. Blimey! Aye aye! T' rocket flew straight off t' pad and flew t' about 120 feet. I felt that it was low, arrr, arrr, shiver me timbers, slow and OK but I felt that more power was needed. Ya scallywag! For t' second flight, arrr, 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! That be a good choice. Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket flew perfectly t' about 300 feet. Avast!

PROS: Excellent flight performance.

CONS: None found.

Recovery:
I used a 12 inch chute, so both recoveries were recovered very close t' the pad. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! 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. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! On t' second flight, matey, t' waddin' worked perfectly. Avast, me proud beauty! Thanks, Dan. Blimey!

T' 12 inch chute also worked well enough t' brin' t' rocket back without any damage. Begad! 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. Begad! Ya scallywag! It be also fun t' build and fly. Avast! 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. Ya scallywag! Begad! I very highly recommend this kit. Avast!

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

Main CONS: Should have a 12 inch chute instead o' an 18 inch one. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5