Brief:
An upscaled version o' t' classic Alpha that flies on standard Estes 18mm engines. Blimey! Almost 20 inches tall, shiver me timbers, me bucko, this rocket reaches heights o' 600 feet.

Construction:
Balsa Nose Cone, me bucko, shiver me timbers, Laser-cut Balsa Fins, Cardstock Centerin' Rings, shiver me timbers, Engine Hook, BT-60 body tube, me hearties, and waterslide Decals

T' motor mount is constructed usin' typical methods. Well, blow me down! T' only thin' I changed was t' add a Keelhaul®©™ shock cord that ties around t' motor tube betwixt t' upper and lower centerin' ring. Begad! Aye aye! I used a small amount o' wood glue inside t' body tube and t' motor mount was inserted into t' BT. Blimey! T' next step be t' I fill t' spirals. Begad! After sandin' t' BT, shiver me timbers, t' tube was marked for t' fin locations and t' launch lug. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! T' laser-cut fins are made from 1/8 hard balsa. Well, blow me down! T' fins leadin' edge was rounded and they were glued onto t' BT usin' a very small amount o' 5 minute epoxy. Ahoy! Blimey! Once t' fins were attached and allowed t' dry, shiver me timbers, small epoxy micro balloon fillets were created around t' fins and launch lug t' add some strength and t' clean up t' joints. Aye aye! T' launch lugs was attached t' t' bt usin' epoxy as well. T' kit provides one long launch that I cut in half and installed them on t' bt about 7" apart.

T' only con be t' nose cone. Avast! It be made from hard balsa which is good, me hearties, but it was very heavy. Avast! I used t' stock cone so it's no big deal. Ya scallywag! However, because o' t' weight o' t' cone hittin' t' advertised weight o' 2.2oz is nearly impossible.

Finishing:
I sealed t' balsa fins and nose cone with two coats o' Minwax Polyurethane. Ya scallywag! Once dry they were sanded smooth and coated usin' thinned spackle that was brushed on t' fill t' wood grain. T' filler was sanded off and t' rocket was primed with two coats o' Dupli-Color High Fill Primer sandin' betwixt coats. Blimey! Ya scallywag! T' Super Alpha was painted silver with Dupli-color, me hearties, and t' metallic black be Rustoleum. Avast! Once t' body be allowed t' completely dry t' Super Alpha decal was applied. Begad! Avast! T' decal applied easily with no issues.

Construction Rating: 4out o' 5

Flight:
I flew t' Super Alpha three times on t' first day. Begad! I used an Estes C6-3, Estes C6-5, matey, and a Quest C6-3. Arrr! Preparation is very easy since t' BT-60 gives you plenty o' room t' pack t' chute. Begad! All three flights were perfect, stable, and recovered close t' t' pad. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! On one o' t' flights t' nose cone impacted t' top o' t' BT causin' very minor damage that was easily fixed.

Recovery:
T' supplied 18" 'chute is a little on t' large size, matey, so if it's windy be prepared for a walk. Ahoy! Ahoy! I used t' 18" 'chute for t' first three flights, but t' wind be less than 5mph. A 12" or 16" parachute would be better.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Estes Super Alpha is another great offering. Aye aye! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! It's a very easy t' build model with great instructions. Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket flies great as designed and is durable. Aye aye! Begad! T' Super Alpha can be easily modified t' accept 24mm motors as well.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5