Brief:
Retro lookin' budget kit for 18mm motors.

Construction:
T' cover art doesn't do justice t' this kit, me hearties, ya bilge rat, it looks a lot better in t' flesh than t' cream example used in t' photograph. Blimey! Apart from finishing, and laminatin' t' fins with printer paper, matey, t' kit was built as per t' instructions. Arrr! Aye aye! All parts were present.

T' instructions weren't a surprise t' me as I have built a number o' Starlight kits, but if you are used t' Estes and Quest instructions, shiver me timbers, get ready for a shock. Begad! Instructions are typewritten and illustrations are hand drawn. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Blimey! This isn't so bad, but when measurements are hand written, and t' instructions have measurements like t' 2 !/2" [sic] example above, newer modelers may find themselves confused. Blimey! However, ya bilge rat, this is nothin' that a few hours with a computer and a good proofread wouldn't fix.

On with construction. Avast, me proud beauty! My BT-20 (called a BT-7 in t' instructions) was unevenly cut, so I re-cut t' ends first. Arrr! Ya scallywag! T' motor hook provided is made from music wire, matey, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, and despite bein' glued and taped t' t' motor mount, t' wire simply rotates around its long axis allowin' t' motor t' be kicked on ejection (more on that later). Both body tubes are good quality, with fine spirals.

Three centerin' rings hold t' BT-20 in t' larger, shorter, shiver me timbers, me bucko, BT-60 (called a BT-16). This gives t' Asteroid Probe its great 'Hot Dog' looks. Well, arrr, blow me down! Top and bottom centerin' rings sit flush with t' ends o' t' larger body tube.

T' balsa used in t' fins and nose cone is fairly soft. I decided t' bevel t' leadin' and trailin' edges o' t' fins and laminate them with PVA (white glue) and printer paper. Well, blow me down! T' nose cone required a lot o' filling.

Fin attachment is easy. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' body tube is pre-marked with blue lines for fins and a red line for t' cardboard launch lug. Blimey! Blimey! I used gel CA for initial attachment o' t' fins, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, matey, then filleted with 5 minute epoxy.

T' shock cord is a good length o' round elastic anchored with a Stine style paper mount. A good quality 30cm (12 inch) mylar parachute kit is included with t' Asteroid Probe.

Finishing:
Finishin' was simple. Aye aye! I sprayed t' rocket with 3 coats o' Plasti-Kote Super Primer and 3 coats o' white enamel. Ahoy! Red for t' nose cone and front centerin' ring, shiver me timbers, blue for t' rear. Begad! Stripes on t' fins were done with Tamiya paint pens.

One sheet o' decals are provided. Begad! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Red text that says 'Asteroid Probe' in an MICR style font, a gold band, me hearties, and a couple o' small arrows. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I decided nay t' use them on this build. Ahoy! Blimey! Instead I made a wrap o' adhesive art paper on which I printed a shark's mouth, matey, some eyes, ya bilge rat, and other gubbins.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight and Recovery:
I flew me Asteroid Probe a total o' 8 times. Begad! Boost be always very straight with a minimum o' weathercocking. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! T' motor was always taped in as t' music wire motor hook simply rotated out o' any position where it could have been any use in holdin' t' motor. Ya scallywag! B6-4s and C6-5s give excellent flights.

T' mylar parachute is a tight fit in t' BT-20 body tube. Begad! Arrr! A liberal dustin' with talc immediately before packin' gave a good deployment every time.

On 6 flights t' Probe detached a fin on landing, and strangely it was always at t' fin root. Begad! There be never a snapped fin. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! One flight yielded no damage. Begad! Begad! T' final flight was a ballistic lawn dart on a C6-5 which tore t' shock cord mount out o' t' inner body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! I'll miss t' flights, shiver me timbers, but nay t' landings.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
This is nay me first experience with Starlight's budget range o' kits, ya bilge rat, havin' previously built a Queeze-Bee, Hyperon, arrr, and Sparrow. Well, blow me down! Blimey! There are a couple o' their other kits waitin' in t' build queue. Blimey! Blimey! Starlight's kits are a mix o' good and nay so good, and t' designs are quite neat, but t' translation into kits leaves a bit t' be desired. Ahoy! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! This had t' potential t' be a fantastic kit, but as they say, me bucko, t' devil is in t' detail.

PROs: Unusual styling. Begad! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Pre-marked body tube. Blimey! Avast! Blimey! Low price.

CONs: Instructions. Begad! Motor hook. Well, blow me down! Fins are easily damaged.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5