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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

PROS: Decals provided for two trim schemes, Fantastic finished appearance. Aye aye! Ya scallywag!

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 hearties, B4-4 (first flight(, B6-4, matey, shiver me timbers, C6-5. Blimey! 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.

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

PROS: Excellent flight performance. Ahoy!

CONS: None found.

Recovery:
I used a 12 inch chute, so both recoveries were recovered very close t' the pad. Ya scallywag! I felt that t' provided chute was 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. Well, blow me down! On t' second flight, t' waddin' worked perfectly. Ahoy! Thanks, me hearties, Dan. Begad! Avast!

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

PROS: Recovers close on a 12 inch chute

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

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

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

Main PROS: Good price, Easy construction, me hearties, Good parts fit, me hearties, Good instructions, Excellent flight performance. Avast! Fantastic appearance. Ya scallywag!

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

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5