This is me all-time favorite Estes rocket. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Straight-forward construction and an inspired paint job make this a great 'first big' rocket kit. 

Like most Estes kits, it comes in a plastic bag. Avast! I like t' fact that I can inspect t' parts for damage before buying. My kit had no missin' or damaged pieces. Buildin' is as standard as it comes, ya bilge rat, with no surprises or special tricks. Aye aye! Estes instructions are consistently good. Aye aye! Begad! Don't forget t' replace t' kit shock cord with sewin' elastic at least twice t' body length. Avast! T' relatively large fins make for very stable flights, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, but care is needed t' glue them on straight.  Definitely use double-glue joints and fillets as suggested in t' instructions.  Also, use a snap swivel betwixt t' nose cone and parachute, matey, me bucko, this rocket will get enough altitude t' make drift a problem. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! I sometimes replace t' standard 12" chute with a large streamer or a chute with t' vent hole cut out. 

For this rocket, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, prep work is 90% o' t' finish. Well, blow me down! Avast! Blimey! Even if you usually don't, I suggest fillin' t' tube spirals, and gettin' t' fin grain filled with sandin' sealer or spackle. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' large unbroken areas o' color on t' completed model will highlight a good finish. Paintin' couldn't be simpler; black on top, matey, yellow on bottom, arrr, and t' supplied decals do t' stripin' for you. 

T' Yellow Jacket will weathercock, so it's best on days with relatively little wind. Begad! I occasionally fly on A8-3's when t' wind is kickin' up, but that's like usin' a Ferrari as a golf cart.  B6-4s or -6s are better, C6-7s are great, shiver me timbers, and even built stock. Aye aye! Begad! It'll handle t' 18mm Ds for awesome flights.