Brief:
A ready t' fly starter set with rocket, launch pad, arrr, controller, me bucko, and two B6-4 motors. Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket is essentially t' Code Red with blue plastic & tube sticker.

Construction:
T' rocket comes almost ready t' fly; all t' purchaser has t' do is t' attach the 12 inch parachute, which is pre-assembled. Arrr! Aye aye! Look at t' instructions before attachin' t' parachute, especially if you are an Estes oldtimer like me. Ahoy! When I be a teenager t' parachutes were normally attached t' t' nosecone. For this kit t' instructions specify attachin' t' parachute t' t' shock cord 3/4 inch from t' nosecone. Blimey!

T' fins, nose cone, matey, me hearties, and launch lug are all plastic and t' rocket seems sturdy enough t' handle a fair bit o' abuse. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! Like t' reviewer o' t' Code Red I thought t' nose was a bit loose in t' tube, but since t' instructions make no mention o' tapin' t' nose cone, matey, and since an inexperienced builder wouldn't know t' do so, I decided nay t' tape t' nose. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy!

T' set comes with t' Electron launch controller and Porta Pad 2. The launch controller is designed with a rubber grommet in t' safety key. Begad! Begad! This design requires a great deal o' pressure on t' key t' arm t' circuit - enough pressure t' be uncomfortable in me hand and too much for me 8 year old to manage. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! Fortunately t' rubber can be pulled out with a pair o' pliers. Aye aye!

T' Porta Pad comes with a two piece launch rod. Begad! Blimey! I found that after getting the two pieces together t' joint betwixt t' rods is a little weak and easily bent. Ya scallywag! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Blimey! This is somethin' t' watch out for.

Attachin' t' parachute t' t' shock cord is somethin' anybody should be able t' do in under a minute. Begad! T' instructions are almost all pictures and very easily followed.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
Motors: This kit provides estimated altitudes with t' motor list. Aye aye! Avast! Blimey! T' table is:

Retention: T' motor is held in place by a screw-on retainer on t' bottom. When installin' t' B6-4 engines that came with t' kit I had no problems, but the fit was very tight with some A8-3 engines I had purchased. Begad! A child may have difficulty gettin' t' retainin' rin' on, me hearties, me hearties, ya bilge rat, but t' instructions do advise adult supervision. Begad! Four squares o' waddin' were used, as per instructions. Blimey! Begad! T' rocket flew straight with t' B6 engines and showed no weathercocking. Well, blow me down! T' flight was exactly what it should be for a first timer's rocket. Ya scallywag! When usin' t' A8 engines some weathercockin' be observed, arrr, but nay a great deal.

Recovery:
T' descent is just about perfect. Avast! Blimey! Because t' rocket is constructed with fairly sturdy plastic and t' only weak point (the top o' t' body tube) is the last t' hit t' ground t' rocket can handle a fairly quick descent which minimizes drift. Ya scallywag! Blimey! My daughter's only complaint is she couldn't launch and be in a position t' try and catch t' rocket, she had t' choose.

T' only problem with recovery be a little scorchin' o' t' parachute on one flight. Addin' a fifth square o' waddin' t' future flights eliminated the problem. Avast! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a great rocket for introducin' somebody t' t' hobby, matey, and the appearance will appeal t' anybody who likes t' color blue. Begad! T' rocket is easy to prep and fly, me hearties, and t' rocket can be flown from a backyard usin' A8s and reasonable care.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5