Description: Single staged 10.5mm motor (1/4 A through A in Apogee motors) rocket that is a minute scale model o' t' V2.

Pros and cons o' construction: All parts specified were thar and undamaged. Avast! Aye aye! I got t' kit less than a week after I ordered it, and it was securely packed in styrofoam popcorn in a strong postal box. Arrr! T' nose cone is solid lightweight balsa wood. Avast! Begad! T' tail cone is also balsa, with a 10.5mm bore predrilled t' accept t' 10.5mm motor tube. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! T' body tube and motor tube are spiral wound paper. Blimey! T' launch lug is plastic and is for 1/8 inch rods. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! The streamer is 17 inches o' 1 inch wide plastic. Well, blow me down! T' fins are die cut balsa.

Instructions are clear, illustrated and logical. Begad! You also get a historical essay on t' original V2, and how its capture from t' Germans helped our space program.

Assembly was easy and quick. You do have t' align t' 4 fins, arrr, but that's not hard. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! Blimey! T' shock cord is thin Keelhaul®©™®-like strin' o' 20 inches in length. Begad! Well, matey, blow me down! It fits into a plastic bead that glues into t' hole predrilled into t' base o' the nose cone. Well, blow me down! Me, shiver me timbers, I prefer screw-eyes, but this seemed t' work fine. Ya scallywag! Also, arrr, shiver me timbers, if you've seen me other reviews, ya bilge rat, arrr, then you know that I have a thin' for stretchy shock cords, too. Begad! But this one worked without a hitch. I attached it into the forward centerin' rin' in t' motor mount. Avast! White glue was used for assembly, but epoxy was used t' glass up t' fins and make them durable. Well, blow me down! Arrr! It be also used to glass and smoothen t' nose cone. Arrr! Yellow spray paint was used as a primer. Ahoy! I was about t' apply green, me hearties, shiver me timbers, when me cat, Freeway, arrr, shiver me timbers, grabbed t' rocket and ran with it. Ya scallywag! I decided, arrr, after findin' it again, t' fly it as is. Well, blow me down! Ahoy!

Pros and cons o' finishing: A simple paint job is enough. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! I chose t' glass t' fins out o' personal preference. Begad! Begad! It's also a habit from high power rocketry. Aye aye! A green camouflage paint job will be applied this week, even though me cat likes it yellow. Ya scallywag! Begad! Maybe green will make me lose it! At least yellow is easy t' find. Avast, me proud beauty!

Ratin' for construction and finishing: 4 out o' 5

Pros and cons about flight: Apogee recommends their 1/4 A through A line, arrr, me hearties, matey, namely t' 1/4A2-2 or 4, me hearties, 1/2A2-2 or 4 and t' A2-3 or 5 . Begad! T' shorter delays are recommended if it's breezy. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! Me, me hearties, I used an A2-5, as it was a still day t' likes o' which only Phoenix can achieve. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! T' prep time was just seconds. Aye aye! A pinch o' worm bed waddin' and maskin' tape t' retain t' motor and it was ready. Well, blow me down! And t' Apogee igniters fit right into t' motor. Arrr! Arrr! T' flight was fast. A FWIT sound and it be gone, high and straight. Aye aye! Good thin' it was yellow or else I'd have lost it for sure. I luckily saw t' streamer. Begad! Maybe an itsy bitsy parachute would increase hang time and help me find it next time. Well, blow me down! Knowing my luck, though, me hearties, I'll catch a thermal. Avast! Blimey!

Pros and cons about recovery: (17" streamer) It was easy t' assemble. Begad! It worked just fine, arrr, without any damage or burnin' t' the rocket. Ahoy!

Ratin' o' flight and recovery: 4 out o' 5

Anythin' this kit taught me: Keep your kits away from your pets. Avast! Ahoy! More seriously, matey, I learned about t' history o' t' real V2. Ahoy! I enjoyed that. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy!