(07/01/03) I finally got around to purchasin' a couple o' Art Applewhite's Flyin' Saucers. Been meanin' to, arrr, just never got around t' it. When I did, me hearties, me hearties, I was glad he accepted PayPal. Avast! Arrr! Made it very easy. Arrr! Ahoy! I purchased t' Gold 6" 18mm Delta Flyin' Saucer and t' Gold 4" 13mm Delta Flyin' Saucers.

I'm writin' t' review for t' 18mm version because thar isn't currently a review on EMRR. Arrr! Blimey! But I have t' admit t' same thin' Dick Stafford did, ya bilge rat, these kits all build just about t' same! Blimey! There was virtually no difference betwixt me build experience on t' 13mm version verses the 18mm version. In addition, me bucko, shiver me timbers, thar are very few parts, four t' be exact: 1) Top Cardstock, matey, 2) Bottom Cardstock, 3) 18mm motor mount, and 4) Foam Center.

CONSTRUCTION:

T' instructions are printed on 3 pages of 8½ x 11" paper. They include black and white photos t' assist in the buildin' process. Avast, me proud beauty! T' tools and supplies that are needed are outlined: Scissors, #11 Exacto® Knife, Elmer's Glue-All® and 150 girt sandpaper. That's it and you're ready t' go.

Assembly is simple. Aye aye! Begad! Cut out t' Top and Bottom from t' cardstock. Cut out t' Top and Bottom Seam pieces from t' card stock. Ahoy! Glue t' Seam (tab) onto one side o' t' Top. Let dry. Aye aye! Blimey! Glue t' other side o' t' Top onto t' exposed Seam (tab), thereby formin' your Top Cone. Repeat for t' Bottom Cone.

Usin' your hobby knife, cut out t' Center from t' provided 1/4" foam board. Begad! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Cut out t' center o' t' Center (which is t' motor mount hole). Ahoy! Blimey! Now you are ready for t' most difficult part of construction; cuttin' t' 30 degree bevel on t' outside edge o' t' Center. Be sure t' use a new blade and take your time. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Doin' those two things makes this a lot easier than it sounds.

Once t' Center is prepared then final assembly is relatively simple. Aye aye! Avast! You glue t' Center t' t' Top. Blimey! You then glue in the motor mount. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Lastly, you glue t' Bottom t' t' motor mount and Center. Apply some fillets on all t' seams and ta-da... Blimey! you're done.

Overall, arrr, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 5 points. Nay sure how it could be any easier!

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

Art Applewhite recommends a C6-0, matey, ya bilge rat, B6-0 or a RMS 18/20 Reload. Begad! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' motors are t' be friction fit into t' motor mount with the batten down t' hatches that no motor should stick out further than ½" from below the motor mount.

I have flow t' 18mm version 3 times, all on B6-0's. Blimey! I was plannin' on usin' this as a demo rocket for me son's kindergarten class, but that never worked out. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! It would make an excellent demo rocket, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, and it would even make an excellent school project rocket!

All t' flights were t' same, straight up, invert and right back t' us. Begad! Altitude? Hmmmm, maybe 30 feet. Hard t' say, but it would make a good backyard flier.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, shiver me timbers, I would rate this rocket 5 points. I don't see any way t' knock a rocket that has no recovery system t' fail, matey, me hearties, me bucko, no need for wadding, no need for motor retention (although that could be t' only thin' t' add), and always comes back t' where you are!

I give t' rocket an OVERALL ratin' o' 5 points. Begad! Yes, it is a "perfect" rocket for its price, instructions, me bucko, assembly and flight characteristics. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! Go give one a try!