Brief:
T' Wedgie is a tetrahedron (3-sided pyramid) that flies on 18mm motors and recovers via a rear-eject streamer. Aye aye! I want t' thank Chris for lettin' me test out this cool oddroc kit. Mine is s/n #2!

Construction:
T' Wedgie comes professionally packaged in a plastic bag with t' cover o' the instructions visible. Ahoy! Arrr! T' small parts were separately bagged. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! T' body is formed from 6 pieces o' laser-cut balsa. Its motor mount includes a two-part motor tube, matey, two laser cut centering-triangles, matey, matey, shiver me timbers, a motor block, a cardboard plug, and two 'standard' centerin' rings (BT-20 t' BT-50 sized). Ahoy! Ahoy! Recovery parts include an elastic shock cord, swivel, and crepe streamer. Avast! Aye aye! Miscellaneous parts include a 1/8" launch lug and clay nose weight.

T' instructions are detailed and well illustrated. Don't let its 'odd' nature addlepate you. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! This is a builders kit and I recommend you actually read t' instructions thoroughly before beginning. Ya scallywag! It is rated as skill level 3, shiver me timbers, me hearties, and I concur with this rating.

You start by buildin' t' two-part motor mount. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! T' upper part will eventually be attached t' t' body while the lower section is free t' eject and deploy t' streamer. Construction is straightforward and all t' parts fit perfectly. Aye aye! T' key points for t' mount are makin' sure t' centering-triangles are installed perpendicular t' the motor tube(s) and at t' prescribed locations. An attached photo shows t' mount bein' constructed with fillets drying.

T' body assembly is a bit more difficult. Ahoy! Well, matey, blow me down! Here, me bucko, you begin by gluin' t' 2 halves o' each o' t' three faces together. It appears this was t' alternate t' grain directions and add strength. Avast! Next you sand t' joint flat. Ahoy! Easy so far.

Now for t' hard(er) part - bevelin' t' edges t' allow them t' fit well. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! A sandin' guide is provided, matey, but this step strained me clumsy buildin' skills. Avast! Ahoy! Blimey! I cracked one as I be sandin' and would recommend doin' t' bevelin' before joinin' t' pieces. Avast! Easily fixed.

T' faces are supposed t' be joined with CA. Blimey! Instead, me hearties, I used Titebond moldin' and trim glue. This is thick and tacky and let me put t' three pieces together rather easily. I taped t' corners and top while t' glue set. Ahoy! Blimey! Later, I reinforced t' joints with thin CA. There is a template t' locate and cut t' hole for t' launch rod. Begad! If I were t' do it again, me hearties, ya bilge rat, matey, I'd also cut this before t' faces are joined.

Next, you install t' clay nose weight and install t' upper motor mount. You have t' make sure t' clay doesn't interfere with t' launch rod. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! I also had t' extend t' openin' a tad further down t' body so t' launch rod would clear.

T' shock cord is attached t' t' inside base with a strip o' balsa that is provided. Avast! Avast! (see photo) You are instructed t' notch t' middle so t' elastic cord will fit under it. Ya scallywag! This was challengin' since t' strip is only about 1/16" thick t' start. Aye aye! Begad!

Finishing:
Odd'l provides several skins that you can download, shiver me timbers, includin' a blank one. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, me hearties, blow me down! I finally decided on 'T' Point', me hearties, which is themed like t' classic cone rocket kit o' t' same name. I printed three copies o' the template and sealed them with a clear coat before starting. T' instructions say t' use spray glue. I dread usin' the stuff, but it is about t' only choice for plain paper like this. Well, blow me down! Begad! I be pleasantly surprised that t' skins stayed on t' rocket and nay t' builder. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad!

Overall, ya bilge rat, this be a fun and slightly challengin' build. Begad! I'm happy that Chris's parts were so precise. Avast! Ahoy! Everything fit as advertised and t' skins are nice. Avast! I'd suggest tweakin' t' steps t' bevel-before-joinin' and t' cut t' launch rod hole before assemblin' t' body. Avast!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Prep is conceptually simple - fold and pack streamer, me bucko, install motor by tapin' it t' t' lower motor tube, install igniter, matey, and launch. Blimey! I found that packin' t' streamer and gettin' t' motor t' stay in place took a tad o' fiddling. Begad! My main concern prior t' launch was t' shock cord attachment. Begad! Aye aye! Will it hold? Will t' exposed elastic get burned by hot gasses trapped in t' base?

Well I flew t' Wedgie twice. Ahoy! Blimey! I used Quest Q2G2 igniters, matey, which are nice because t' long leads make it easier t' connect the clips. Avast! Blimey!

It was quite windy for t' flight on a Quest 'long burn' C6-3. Ahoy! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! It weather cocked a lot but still attained a nice altitude. Begad! Ejection occurred as planned and it recovered well. Begad! T' only damage, ya bilge rat, if you will, matey, ya bilge rat, was t' tip o' one o' the skins peeled back as it poked into t' sod. Arrr! Begad! This was easily fixed with some cellophane tape. Begad! In fact, I recommend you add some preemptively.

I flew it again on a Quest B6-4. Begad! T' winds had died down a bit and t' boost was a lot straighter. Well, blow me down! Recovery was a bit late but was still in plenty o' time. This time, arrr, arrr, t' crepe streamer be singed a bit. Blimey! It turns out that I didn't use a square o' waddin' as directed in t' instructions (it's even underlined for emphasis). D'OH. I guess that's what happens when you read, matey, arrr, build, me bucko, put on shelf for a couple o' weeks, and then rush t' t' launch.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I love oddrocs and I like t' way this one flies. Avast, me proud beauty! Its prep is easier than a 3/4FNC in some ways (no wadding) and harder in others (more dexterity required). Blimey! T' only down side I see is that t' streamer may need to be replaced after several flights (or maybe nay if you follow directions).

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5