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). Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! 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. Aye aye! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Decals for both are included. T' kit included the body and motor mount tubes, centerin' rings, shiver me timbers, retention hook, launch lug, shock cord, me hearties, nose cone, die-cut paper scoop, me bucko, arrr, die-cut fin sheet, shiver me timbers, 18 inch assembled plastic parachute and decals. Ahoy! Blimey! 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. Ahoy! Begad! This is a skill level 2 kit, me bucko, me hearties, so t' builder is assumed t' have some previous modelin' experience. With that in mind, ya bilge rat, I began construction. Begad! Aye aye!

I started with t' motor mount. Ahoy! This be very easy t' assemble. Begad! Ya scallywag! After it dried and after addin' some fillets for strength, me hearties, 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. Ahoy! You should have four small fins for t' lower portion and two top wings for t' top portion. Avast! Begad! I rounded all leadin' and trailin' edges for better aerodynamic performance. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I cut out t' fin alignment template and marked all alignment lines. Ya scallywag! This is a critical alignment. Begad! 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. Well, blow me down! I attached it between fins #2 and #4. 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. Begad! Ahoy! In me opinion this is the most critical alignment. Blimey! If done correctly, you shouldn't have any problems. Begad! If not, you will most likely experience some spiraling. Arrr! 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. I also applied two fillets after it dried. I now assembled t' shock cord mount. Ahoy! I was pleased when I found that t' shock cord was longer than normally found. Well, blow me down! Avast! Thanks, Estes.

Finally, 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. Begad!

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

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! I chose t' white sharks mouth scheme. Aye aye! Ahoy! I sprayed the model with gloss white spray enamel. Well, blow me down! Since no stripin' material is included, the instructions reccommend stripin' tape. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Instead, arrr, I used Top Flite Monokote red and black trim sheets along with t' supplied decals. Well, blow me down! Man, shiver me timbers, I love that sinister sharks mouth. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty!

I finished t' model by sprayin' t' model with gloss clear enamel to protect and seal everything. 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 was too big for this light o' a rocket.

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

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

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

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

PROS: Excellent flight performance. Begad!

CONS: None found.

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

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

PROS: Recovers close on a 12 inch chute

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

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

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

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

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

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5