Brief
Paper shroud construction and dual chute recovery.

Construction
This be t' first Quest kit I have built and was pleased with almost all aspects. T' kit came in t' common bag; no parts were missin' or broken. Well, blow me down! This kit is a finless, Skill Level 3 features paper shroud construction and dual 12-inch parachute recovery. Well, blow me down! More on t' 'chutes later.

T' instructions were easy t' follow and assembly, usin' white glue throughout, shiver me timbers, went very smoothly, and t' build was surprisingly quick. Ahoy! T' framework out o' stiff cardboard went together well and t' dry fittin' showed a well-manufactured kit. Arrr! T' first thin' be t' paper shroud comes rolled up. Arrr! This needs t' be flattened out. Begad! Ahoy! I accomplished this with a couple o' phone books and about 1/2-hour time. This left just enough curl t' help in t' assembly latter.

T' only difficult part be t' markin' o' t' tube. Ahoy! Begad! T' black tube did nay show t' lines very well, nay a problem, a sharp crayon works wonders.

I really liked t' shock cord attachment with t' Keelhaul®©™cord tied t' t' motor mount. Begad! Begad! Blimey! I test fitted this and made sure that t' Keelhaul®©™was even with t' end o' t' body tube. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Then I tied t' elastic as shown. I hoped that this would keep t' tube from zippering.

I added t' clay for t' nose weight as shown, ya bilge rat, with very little effort. Ahoy! Blimey! After addin' t' weight I decided against usin' only one 'chute and built t' recovery system as directed.

Take t' time t' carefully cut t' shroud out, shiver me timbers, this makes t' fittin' o' t' assembly with t' double stick tape conceals t' seam easier. Ya scallywag! T' instructions come t' a point o' addin' t' maneuverin' flaps and nozzles for display only. Begad! I deviated here. Avast! After I had it finished, ya bilge rat, it looked t' me as if somethin' was missing. Arrr! I added t' nozzles. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! Rappin' t' cutouts around a pencil I acquired t' correct shape. Arrr! After gluin' t' nozzles in place I could see that they were out o' line o' t' exhaust o' t' motor.

Finishing
There is no finishin' t' be done as t' shroud is preprint, shiver me timbers, but t' decals leave somethin' t' be desired. They are self-adhesive and on an opaque (white) backing. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! T' picture card with t' kit shows t' letterin' directly on t' gray body. Aye aye! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! T' nose cone letterin' be on a black background and with careful trimmin' came out lookin' good. Avast! Ya scallywag! T' US flags I was able t' trim close enough t' make them work. Aye aye! As for t' USA, well… I had decals left over from a kit bash o' a 2 stage Estes Nike-Arrow so I made t' USA from that.

Construction Rating: 4 ½ out o' 5

Flight
T' first flight was on February 7, me hearties, 1999 at a C.R.A.S.H. Avast! launch in Denver. T' only recommended motor is a C6-3. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! T' prep is standard, waddin' and recovery system. Ahoy! As I loaded t' Space Clipper on t' pad I got more questions than ever. Well, blow me down! T' flight was better than I imagined. T' DC-Y lifted off with a slow assent, and rose close t' t' estimated height o' 200 ft. Begad! T' delay was just about right. T' second flight was straight and true. Avast, me proud beauty! T' next chance I had t' fly was at a C.R.A.S.H. Avast, me proud beauty! launch in Denver on March 7, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, 1999 and again t' flight was great.

Recovery
Recovery was another story. Well, blow me down! On t' first flight t' nose cone came down on it 'chute openin' cleanly, ya bilge rat, me bucko, t' body on t' other hand returned on wad recovery. Arrr! Avast! T' Clipper was nay damaged, matey, shiver me timbers, arrr, but I had t' try again. Arrr! T' Keelhaul®©™® was blackened, but no damage be observed. Begad! Figurin' that t' stiff Quest 'chute was t' culprit, arrr, me hearties, I pulled an Estes 12 inch 'chute out me range box. T' second flight be a duplicate o' t' first. Well, blow me down! T' body is just too light t' fully deploy t' 'chute. Ya scallywag! T' third flight I replaced t' "chute with a 3 ft Mylar streamer. I think I have t' streamer just t' right length. It brought t' body down more gently and it landed near t' pads without a thud.

Flight I give a 5. Well, blow me down! Recovery built as instructed 1, shiver me timbers, however, with t' recovery modification a 3.

Flight Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5

Summary
Overall this is a great kit. Ya scallywag! Blimey! I really enjoy watchin' it fly and has become one o' me favorites. For t' price, arrr, I paid $12.95 at a local hobby shop; it is a good value. I like that it is different. Replacin' t' body 'chute with a streamer makes me feel better about havin' t' DC-Y Space Clipper for a long time t' come.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5