T' kit was packaged fine in a long plastic bag with a colorful picture o' t' kit on t' front cover. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! There's an inlay picture showin' t' use o' t' payload section for electronic experiments.

Upon inspection, ya bilge rat, arrr, t' kit was missin' a 12-inch piece of white elastic shock cord which is used on t' top section. Begad! I used some Keelhaul®©™® that I had t' replace it. Avast, me proud beauty! Everythin' else be in order. Begad! Begad!

T' instructions were very clear, ya bilge rat, usin' pictures for each step. Well, blow me down! It be a nice touch t' add two illustrations showin' t' difference between an over-hand knot and a figure-8 knot. They gave clear measurements as to where parts should align and t' assembly instructions were in a logical order. Avast! Overall, very fine instructions which are needed for a level 2 kit since it is geared for those with only some experience. Well, blow me down!

T' kit is comprised o' two body tubes, a coupler with a bulkhead, me bucko, matey, ya bilge rat, a motor mount assembly includin' motor clip, two 12" Tuff-Chute™ (plastic) parachutes with shroud lines and gripper tabs, a balsa wood sheet with three die-cut fins, matey, a Keelhaul®©™® shock cord for t' lower section and a elastic shock cord (missing) for the upper section, ya bilge rat, a plastic nose cone and lastly a decal sheet.

I used Quick Grab glue on this model (additional comments about Quick Grab glue) for everythin' except the fin fillets where I used 5-minute epoxy. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! I also sealed t' balsa fins with CA. Well, blow me down!

There was only one problem durin' t' entire assembly of this kit. Begad! Blimey! One o' die-cut fin tips was already separated along t' grain o' the balsa sheet, therefore, matey, that had t' be glued on and carefully sanded and handled. Aye aye!

Durin' t' finishin' stage I experienced a self-induced tragedy which took a good bit o' time t' correct. Well, blow me down! I always use Plasti-Kote primer, since it is heavy and fills t' grooves fast. It also sands easily. Apparently, Rustoleum paint isn't fully compatible with this primer. Arrr! I discovered this AFTER paintin' me payload section and findin' a nice grouping of bubbles. Well, blow me down! Arrr! This was corrected by sandin' off t' entire finish, me bucko, shiver me timbers, re-primin' and re-paintin' with a different paint.

I chose t' paint t' payload section gloss black and t' bottom section gloss white, it worked out well. Blimey! The decals were a bit disappointin' though. Ya scallywag! Blimey! They are solid colors on white, not transparent. Avast! Avast! Blimey! Therefore, if t' rocket was nay painted white on t' bottom, ya bilge rat, the decals would look bad. In addition, thar be a black band-decal that was supposed t' go around t' body tube which was no long enough. I didn't use it.

Overall, shiver me timbers, matey, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 4 points and strongly suggest that Quest addresses their decals. Well, blow me down! Begad! Blimey!

T' Icarus™ is a bit unique due t' a mid-separation which releases nose cone and payload section to descend on it's parachute and then t' second parachute carries t' bottom section down. I tested mine with a B6-4 which installed and was clipped by the motor mount without any problem. Begad! Aye aye! Because o' it's length and weight a B6-4 motor gives a nice lift off and moderate distance flight. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! T' flight was straight and true. Blimey! T' flight be straight and true. Aye aye! Blimey! Ejection was just at apogee and both sections returned without damage. Arrr! Begad! No signs o' burnin' or stress on t' Keelhaul®©™® shock cord and t' parachutes both opened cleanly. Avast, me proud beauty!

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, I would rate this kit 4 1/2 points.

Overall, arrr, me bucko, matey, for t' price and skill ratin' (2), the Icarus™ is a good kit for someone lookin' fora payload rocket or someone that would like a bit o' uniqueness in recovery. Ahoy! Blimey! I give t' kit an OVERALL ratin' o' 4 points. Begad!