Brief:
Tube Rocket, with transition

Construction:
I received t' package, shiver me timbers, and t' kit was well packaged. Arrr! It included 2 main body tubes, shiver me timbers, a 3.1”x 34” long tube, shiver me timbers, and a 2.14” x 12” body tube, as well as nose cone, transition, motor mount parts. It also comes with (6) 3.1” Tube couplers, which are used for t' fins. Arrr! They are pretty durable. As well as (2) ½” diameter launch lugs. Ya scallywag! T' only common thin' is the assembly o' t' Motor mount, me bucko, shiver me timbers, and t' shock cord anchor system. Avast, me proud beauty! I did not receive any instructions, but I had some idea as t' how t' build it. Ya scallywag! I constructed t' entire motor mount assembly usin' 5-minute epoxy. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! I requested a 29mm motor mount, which is what he sent me.

I didn't get any instructions for this kit, as it was a Beta test. Ya scallywag! But I had an idea o' how t' build it. Arrr! Begad! I looked at t' basic parts. Ahoy! I got a vision o' how to build it in me head, then I got t' work. Begad! It is relatively easy for the intermediate flyer t' build. Blimey! Blimey! T' tube couplers are butted against each other, as well as t' airframe. Begad! Once you get t' first coupler on, ya bilge rat, t' rest o' them are simply butted into place. Blimey! Ahoy! I used sprin' clamps t' help clamp t' portions together, so that I could ensure a good bond betwixt couplers. T' only mod I made, me hearties, shiver me timbers, was t' scuff some glassine off o' t' contact points, arrr, t' help t' epoxy adhere better. I used basic 5 and 15 minute epoxy. Aye aye! Aye aye! Everythin' went together without a hitch. Begad! I cant really give any con's about this kit. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty!

Finishing:
Pros: It is rather easy t' come up with exotic ideas for paint schemes, me hearties, shiver me timbers, for instance, me bucko, shiver me timbers, like I did on me rocket, shiver me timbers, you can paint every other tube coupler (fin) an alternatin' color, shiver me timbers, arrr, t' give it an "exotic" touch. Begad! I used Rustoleum Primer and paint. Cons: If you want t' paint t' inside o' t' couplers, it will be extra work for you.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
First flight was in March o' 2001. Aye aye! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! I used a G64-4w, and I upped t' ejection charge a little, arrr, matey, since it be a larger diameter. Aye aye! Blimey! I used a simple screw and a washer for retention. Aye aye! Blimey! After passin' it through RSO, and puttin' it on t' pad, it be time t' witness t' moment o' truth. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! It lit instantly, and whistled off the pad. Ahoy! Blimey! T' ejection charge went off just as t' rocket hit apogee, me bucko, and the 36" parachute opened beautifully. It drifted a little ways, but was recovered. Ahoy! Blimey! Upon recoverin' it, arrr, it was found that one o' t' tube couplers had "caved" in. Aye aye! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' simplest and quickest remedy was t' "pop" it back out. Ahoy! Blimey!

Next up, arrr, I loaded her up with a G125-5t. Blimey! Begad! A pass through RSO and she be on t' pad within 5 minutes. After t' usual countdown, t' motor lit, and it practically exploded off t' pad, me hearties, and up to about 750 feet. Ahoy! T' chute deployed, shiver me timbers, matey, and it had a flawless recovery. Well, blow me down! No problems with t' tubes this time. Ahoy! Well, blow me down!

I teamed up with a friend o' mine, arrr, and we loaded up an H128-M for it. Blimey! After a few problems with igniters, matey, she took t' t' air, t' about 1200 feet. Blimey! The chute deployed right on cue, me hearties, and I had t' walk a little further, arrr, but it was an impressive flight, nonetheless. Ahoy!

I flew t' rocket again about a year later, arrr, arrr, on a G64, and then an H128. Both flights were flawless.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I'd suggest this kit for t' intermediate flyer, shiver me timbers, as it requires a little patience t' build, but if built right, me bucko, it will reward you with some good flights. Begad! This kit always gets attention at our launches. Begad! Ya scallywag! It's waitin' for an Aerotech I200 :)

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5