Brief
This is a single-stage, ya bilge rat, 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, me hearties, like most o' t' Estes kits you see hangin' in stores. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! All t' needed parts were accounted for, shiver me timbers, and in good shape: a big mylar chute, centerin' rings, me hearties, swivels, me hearties, braided elastic shock cord, card-stock templates, matey, Estes-style nose cone and tubes, ya bilge rat, and balsa sheets and strips.

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

Buildin' was 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! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! I think it's a bit flimsy, but time will tell. Arrr! I would have liked a second one, but I discovered t' problem too late. Begad! T' nose cone "hat" was a bit tough t' roll into shape without creasing, even usin' t' recommended steamin' procedure.

T' rest o' t' kit went together without incident, me bucko, me bucko, ya bilge rat, and t' final product looks pretty good!

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

Overall, me bucko, t' rocket looks pretty convincing, matey, me hearties, if nay terribly colorful.

I rate it a 4 out o' 5, me bucko, losin' points mainly for t' nasty boat tail problem, 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. I managed t' trade for one at a recent launch, and got t' fly me I-Hawk. Well, blow me down! Begad! Booster be quick and straight, although t' missile seemed t' lock onto a high-flyin' jet liner- bonus points for scale-like flight, shiver me timbers, I suppose. Avast, me proud beauty! I used about 10 squares o' wadding, wantin' t' make sure that nothin' went wrong.

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

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

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

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

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

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

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5