Brief
This is a single-stage, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, mid-power scale model o' a US Army surface t' air missile.

Construction
Like all kits I've received from T' Launch Pad, this one arrived in a plastic bag, like most o' t' Estes kits you see hangin' in stores. Avast! All t' needed parts were accounted for, me bucko, shiver me timbers, and in good shape: a big mylar chute, centerin' rings, swivels, braided elastic shock cord, matey, card-stock templates, Estes-style nose cone and tubes, and balsa sheets and strips.

T' instructions were clear and concise. Aye aye! Templates were included for cuttin' out t' balsa parts t' make t' fins (three parts t' each!). Ahoy! Card templates are also included t' make t' boat tail and t' "hat" for t' nose cone, me hearties, ya bilge rat, t' give it a truer shape. Aye aye! Avast! As with all TLP kits, ya bilge rat, you are on your own for launch lug placement.

Buildin' be straight-forward, with one exception- t' boat tail assembly seems t' be short a centerin' ring- thar be only one that actually holds t' part t' t' main tube. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Blimey! I think it's a bit flimsy, ya bilge rat, matey, but time will tell. I would have liked a second one, ya bilge rat, but I discovered t' problem too late. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' nose cone "hat" was a bit tough t' roll into shape without creasing, ya bilge rat, even usin' t' recommended steamin' procedure.

T' rest o' t' kit went together without incident, and t' final product looks pretty good!

Finishing
As with all Launch Pad kits, me hearties, thar are no decals included. Ahoy! T' instructions recommend an overall olive drab scheme, shiver me timbers, and point out positions for black lettering. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! I finished mine in t' recommended green, usin' Ultracote Olive Drab. This be t' first TLP kit I've built that didn't mention usin' pinheads for rivets, a suggestion I don't miss.

Overall, t' rocket looks pretty convincing, if nay terribly colorful.

I rate it a 4 out o' 5, losin' points mainly for t' nasty boat tail problem, matey, arrr, and a bit for t' nose hat and lack o' decals.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight
T' first flight recommended motor is a D12-3. Ya scallywag! Begad! I managed t' trade for one at a recent launch, and got t' fly me I-Hawk. Begad! Booster was quick and straight, shiver me timbers, although t' missile seemed t' lock onto a high-flyin' jet liner- bonus points for scale-like flight, I suppose. Begad! I used about 10 squares o' wadding, wantin' t' make sure that nothin' went wrong.

Recovery
T' chute was deployed pretty close t' apogee, and t' big mylar chute brought t' rocket down safely. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! No damage or wear be evident, but I intend t' replace t' thread that connects t' nose t' t' shock cord- it snapped on me Harpoon later that day. Aye aye! A good first flight, with everythin' workin' as advertised.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary
T' Improved Hawk is a slick lookin' ship. Big fins, but very sleek nonetheless. Avast! This kit produces a faithful, shiver me timbers, scale likeness. Ya scallywag! T' kit is quite light, arrr, and can fly on D through F 24mm motors. Avast! Avast! A C motor may even be possible with an adapter, but I don't think I'll attempt it. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! T' quality o' t' components is very high.

There are a few things that work against this kit: T' boat tail, arrr, as I've mentioned, matey, ya bilge rat, seems flimsy. Aye aye! Begad! T' hat on t' nose requires patience t' get right. That thread that joins t' nose t' t' shock cord must go. Arrr! Blimey! And thar are no decals (not so big an issue with this kit).

Overall, matey, matey, I've come t' really like this kit, despite me feelings when I be buildin' t' boat tail (it's that much o' a problem). It's a "builder's" kit, shiver me timbers, meanin' you need t' have some experience with buildin' kits, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, preferably from scratch, matey, as some construction parts are glossed over, under t' assumption that you know what you're doing, me hearties, and have your own preferred method.

I rate this kit an overall 4.5 out o' 5, arrr, due mainly t' that weak boat tail, which may drastically shorten t' rocket's life.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5