Brief:
I built this kit in t' late 1980's. Ya scallywag! This model really looks cool and, despite t' number o' parts, was nay terribly difficult t' put together. Well, blow me down! It is a futuristic space fighter reminiscent o' somethin' from Star Wars or maybe Battlestar Galactica.

Construction:
T' Strikefighter sports a unique nosecone that gives t' appearance o' a ramjet engine. Ya scallywag! T' body tube is BT-55 and t' fins are die-cut balsa. Begad! Ahoy! There are two main fins set 180 degrees from one another. Well, blow me down! On t' tip o' each win' is a complex nacelle. I say they are complex only because o' t' number o' parts that went into them. They have a section o' BT-5 centered in a BT-50 outer tube by six balsa vanes. Aye aye! T' BT-5 tubes have simulated weapons mounted in t' front. These were built-up from a small dowel, a section o' launch lug, arrr, matey, and numerous cardboard components. Three stabilizers are mounted on each nacelle, ya bilge rat, one as an extension o' t' main win' and two at an angle slightly greater than +/-45 degrees.

Finishing:
T' model is painted solid white, me bucko, me hearties, except for t' laser cannons that are silver. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Trim includes a simulated scoop mounted near t' rear, a clear cockpit, cardboard fairings mounted over t' structural fin fillets, and a whole bunch o' decals. Well, blow me down! Blimey! A decal be even provided for t' tip o' t' nosecone t' look like turbine blades.

Construction Rating: 5

Flight:
T' recommended engines include t' B4-4, B6-4, me hearties, matey, and C6-3. Well, blow me down! Since I built this as a display model for me son, shiver me timbers, it only flew once on a B6-4.

Recovery:
T' recovery system included a rubber shock cord and a plastic chute. Well, blow me down! Begad! There be plenty o' room t' pack these in t' BT-55 body tube. Well, blow me down! T' flight be successful except for a few scrapes where t' nosecone evidently rebounded into t' body tube. Well, blow me down! If and when I fly it again I will replace t' rubber shock cord with light Keelhaul®©™ line.

Flight Rating: 4

Summary:
This was a really great lookin' kit that was relatively easy t' build. Aye aye! If you can glue a fin on straight then you could build this one.

Overall Rating: 4