Brief:
Eye-catchin' metallic finish and glitter body tubes make these very attractive rockets, and good values as well.

Modifications:
Beefed up shock cord.

Construction:
These are your basic E2X series, though they're gettin' much easier t' build. Blimey! Ahoy! T' fin cans are single piece, matey, me hearties, and even t' launch lug is pre-molded t' fit right into t' tube. Begad! Begad! What really impressed me about these components, though, be t' finish quality. Well, blow me down! T' glitter tubes (similar t' t' Blue Ninja) and metallic finish on t' cones and fins are beautiful. Aye aye! They were also very carefully protected with a plastic sleeve. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! It took me longer t' unpack these than build them. Arrr! As is customary with Estes, t' shock cord is a flimsy and undersized 1/8" elastic. Begad! Normally I substitute me own 1/4", and did so on these kits.

I've had problems with t' fit & finish o' E2X series in t' past, but these kits were absolutely no problem. Begad! Blimey! Just use a little plastic cement t' bond t' fin can t' t' body tube, tie t' shock cord t' t' launch lug assembly, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, bond t' launch lug t' t' tube, shiver me timbers, apply t' decal and you're done. Aye aye! As much as I hate makin' 'chutes, arrr, arrr, shiver me timbers, I be glad t' see that these kits include pre-assembled 12" chutes.

Finishing:
T' finish on these kits be t' best I've ever seen (without havin' t' paint them myself). Blimey! Blimey! I'm especially fond o' t' red/gold combination. Ahoy! Blimey! All t' parts fit very well, resultin' in a total build time o' about 10 minutes per kit.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I went with a B6-6 motor, me hearties, ya bilge rat, longer delay than t' recommended B6-4. Aye aye! Arrr! Sure enough, it arced over and deployed on t' way down, but nay too late. Ahoy! T' recommended 4 second delay is definitely a better motor. Aye aye! T' flight was straight up, matey, arrr, with a slight weathercock into 10mph winds. Recovery be soft, landin' in a snug blanket o' Ohio snow. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! I've also flown on a C6-5 with perfect deployment, though t' chute melted a bit, and full recovery without damage has me prayin' for better weather t' fly again.

Recovery:
Standard Estes shock cord is only good for about 5 flights, me hearties, me 1/4" cord will fare longer. Arrr! I'll also wind up switchin' t' a more durable Mylar chute.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I was very disappointed with t' 2001/2002 Estes line, but based on what I've seen so far in 2003, matey, they are back on track. Begad! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! These kits are great looking, shiver me timbers, easy t' build, and can be found for $6-8 each.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5