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

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

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

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

Next I attached t' launch lug. I also applied two fillets after it dried. I now assembled t' shock cord mount. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! I was pleased when I found that t' shock cord was longer than normally found. Avast! Ya scallywag! Thanks, Estes. Begad!

Finally, shiver me timbers, 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! Ahoy!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

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

PROS: Excellent flight performance. Blimey!

CONS: None found.

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

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

PROS: Recovers close on a 12 inch chute

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

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Priced at $10.99, arrr, I felt that this kit was a good buy. Blimey! It was also fun t' build and fly. 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. Blimey! I very highly recommend this kit. Ahoy!

Main PROS: Good price, Easy construction, Good parts fit, me hearties, Good instructions, shiver me timbers, Excellent flight performance. Well, blow me down! Fantastic appearance.

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

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5