Brief:
Larger, cooler version o' an Estes classic. Arrr! This thin' ROCKS!! I got it for Christmas. Well, blow me down! I saw it at Ace on December 14,2003 and I can't believe this rocket be still there. Begad! Ya scallywag! It's been OOP for about 3 years. Aye aye! Arrr! It be a re-release o' t' original 1979 version.

Construction:
T' kit has:

• 3 BT-80 body tubes, shiver me timbers, 2 long and one short
• 3 red plastic fins
• 2 rings for holdin' engine tube, fins and connect short body tube t' long tubes
• 1 large unpainted nose cone (although it said thar be no painting)
• Decal sheet
• Recovery and engine mount materials

This is a pretty easy kit, well deservin' o' a Skill Level 2. Arrr! Aye aye! T' challengin' part o' this kit is slidin' t' motor mount/fins into t' large rin' that holds t' body tube.

I decided t' go with t' regular shock cord mountin' method. Avast! Begad! Blimey! I had concerns about t' way Estes tells you t' attach t' shock cord (tyin' it t' t' engine ring) rippin' out, ya bilge rat, so I just made a 3-fold shock cord mount out o' paper.

This was t' second time in one day that thar be a knot in t' parachute. Ya scallywag! I be buildin' an OOP AMRAAM missile and it had a knot in it's chute. I got this knot out. Begad! It be finished in about 2 hours.

Finishing:
T' rocket looks real good when finished. Begad! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! However, me bucko, thar be a lot o' advertising. Ahoy! T' large decal halves were difficult t' apply without any little folds gettin' in t' way. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! I had t' paint t' nose cone, matey, even though t' face card says "No Paintin' Required."

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
I flew it once on a D12-3. This be t' only engine Estes recommends. Begad! It ROARED OFF THE PAD!! Went out o' sight. Ahoy! Aye aye! For such a heavy rocket, shiver me timbers, it sure drifts a lot. Avast! Ya scallywag! It went over t' houses and landed in a very low branch. Needed a small ladder t' recover. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! I won't fly it much because it's a waddin' guzzler. It needs about 10-12 squares o' wadding. Blimey! Aye aye! It is a good number, but it almost finished off me Blastoff Flight Pack's wadding.

T' flight be very stable and high. Well, arrr, blow me down! Blimey! It hit about 550 feet. Aye aye! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! This rocket drifts waaaayyyy too much. Begad! Blimey! It's a heavy rocket and it uses a 24 inch chute.

Recovery:
T' parachute be good. Lots o' drifting. Arrr! There be no damage because it landed in a tree. Begad! Low branch. Blimey! Thank goodness! No assembly o' t' parachute needed. Everythin' went well.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is an excellent rocket that flies well and is a great looker. Ya scallywag! Arrr! It's fun t' assemble and fun t' fly. Begad! Ahoy! All in all, An EXCELLENT rocket! Estes needs t' brin' this rocket back. If I could, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, I'd rate this rocket a 100!!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5