Brief:
Estes has released a new, jazzed up version o' t' Alpha III t' celebrate Estes Industries' 40th Anniversary. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! It is a limited edition kit.

Construction:
T' kit is shipped in t' new bagged "half-box" with card packagin' protectin' 4 o' t' 6 sides. Ahoy! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! T' kit arrived complete, ya bilge rat, however due t' t' packaging, shiver me timbers, arrr, t' body tube was dented in t' middle. T' kit is much like t' normal Alpha III with black plastic parts and a fancy red holographic body tube. Avast! T' parachute came pre-assembled as per t' new trend with Estes' models. Begad! Blimey! Decals are metallic self adhesive stickers.

Estes' customer service department be very friendly and promptly sent a replacement tube as soon as they were available (~5weeks). Well, blow me down! I had picked up me kit so early, arrr, they had just shipped out t' last o' t' first batch o' kits and were awaitin' parts!

Construction went smoothly except for one part. Aye aye! T' new launch lug is a shaped plastic plate with 2 luglets. Aye aye! This was t' be glued t' t' metallic tube after scrapin' away t' finish t' bare paper -- Hah! T' special wrap is one o' t' most durable I've seen from Estes for their E2X line o' kits. Ahoy! I ended up changin' me knife blade and carefully outlinin' t' lugplate with t' fresh tip. Avast! Ahoy! I then gently peeled t' wrap off, matey, usin' t' tip t' get started at one corner. Younger rocketeers will need assistance with this step. After that, arrr, me bucko, t' assembly was easy.

Finishing:
As with all E2X kits from Estes, arrr, t' parts come prefinished, except for t' application o' decals. Well, blow me down! T' ones supplied had a golden metallic finish. Arrr! These are paper backed, so one can nay soak them in water and soap solution for ease o' alignment. Arrr! Begad! T' body tube circular decal applied easily and smoothly. Aye aye! T' 3 fin decals are a bit oversized for t' fins .... this is apparently just like t' original Alpha decals Estes supplied.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
As usual, this Alpha is a typical starter kit model and performed flawlessly on A's through C's. Avast, me proud beauty! As usual, it has t' quick change clip and requires a couple squares o' wadding. I did me standard cold weather preparation for overcast days usin' lots o' red chalk powder t' dust t' parachute.

Recovery:
For once, Estes got t' shock cord length right. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! T' red chalk left a good dark spot in t' sky for tracking. Aye aye! Arrr! T' model popped at apogee and t' chute filled almost immediately and floated down for soft landings.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
Estes did a nice job with this updatin' o' t' backbone o' their kit line. Other than t' problem with t' launch lug mounting, me hearties, matey, it was a quick, me hearties, easy build with great flight characteristics.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5