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

Pros and cons o' construction: All parts specified were thar and undamaged. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! 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. T' nose cone is solid lightweight balsa wood. Arrr! T' tail cone is also balsa, with a 10.5mm bore predrilled t' accept t' 10.5mm motor tube. Aye aye! T' body tube and motor tube are spiral wound paper. Ya scallywag! T' launch lug is plastic and is for 1/8 inch rods. Blimey! The streamer is 17 inches o' 1 inch wide plastic. Begad! Avast! T' fins are die cut balsa.

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

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

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

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

Pros and cons about recovery: (17" streamer) It was easy t' assemble. It worked just fine, without any damage or burnin' t' the rocket. Well, blow me down! Blimey!

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

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