Brief:
This is a new kit from Estes with cruise missile styling. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! It is also a rather large diameter rocket (BT-60). Ya scallywag! It flies on A-C motors and uses a parachute for recovery.

Construction:
T' kit came in a plastic bag with a front panel showin' t' finished rocket with two possible trim schemes. Aye aye! Decals for both are included. Ya scallywag! T' kit included the body and motor mount tubes, ya bilge rat, centerin' rings, ya bilge rat, me bucko, retention hook, launch lug, shock cord, nose cone, me bucko, die-cut paper scoop, ya bilge rat, die-cut fin sheet, me hearties, 18 inch assembled plastic parachute and decals. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! After checkin' that all t' components were accounted for and damage free, shiver me timbers, I be ready t' began construction.

T' instructions came complete with illustrations and text. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! Also included were t' fin alignment template and t' shock cord mount. Blimey! Blimey! This is a skill level 2 kit, so t' builder is assumed t' have some previous modelin' experience. With that in mind, I began construction. Arrr! Blimey! Avast! Blimey!

I started with t' motor mount. Aye aye! Blimey! This was very easy t' assemble. Well, matey, blow me down! Blimey! After it dried and after addin' some fillets for strength, matey, I glued it into t' body tube. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey!

I then fine sanded t' die-cut fin sheet with fine sandpaper. I next carefully cut out t' fins. Blimey! You should have four small fins for t' lower portion and two top wings for t' top portion. Begad! Avast! I rounded all leadin' and trailin' edges for better aerodynamic performance. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! I cut out t' fin alignment template and marked all alignment lines. Begad! This is a critical alignment. Ya scallywag! Begad! Next I attached t' lower fins one at a time with a few minutes dryin' time between each. Blimey! Begad!

I then punched out t' die-cut scoop from its card. Ya scallywag! I attached it between fins #2 and #4. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! I found this step just a tad tricky. Begad! Aye aye! I now attached t' two top wings four inches from t' top o' fins #2 and #4. Ahoy! Arrr! In me opinion this is the most critical alignment. If done correctly, you shouldn't have any problems. Blimey! If not, ya bilge rat, me bucko, you will most likely experience some spiraling. After t' glue dried, arrr, I applied glue t' those and t' t' exterior o' t' scoop for more strength. Avast!

Next I attached t' launch lug. Aye aye! I also applied two fillets after it dried. I now assembled t' shock cord mount. Ya scallywag! I was pleased when I found that t' shock cord be longer than normally found. Thanks, me bucko, Estes. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty!

Finally, I trimmed t' nose cone and sanded it t' remove t' moldin' lines. T' instructions called for t' parachute t' be attached at this time but I always install me chutes after t' rocket is finished. Ahoy! Begad!

PROS: Easy and rapid construction, Good parts fit. Avast!

CONS: Scoop is somewhat tricky t' attach and no way t' attach interrior fillets.

Finishing:
I started t' finishin' by sprayin' t' model with white automotive primer and sandin' betwixt coats. Begad! I chose t' white sharks mouth scheme. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I sprayed the model with gloss white spray enamel. Ahoy! Since no stripin' material is included, the instructions reccommend stripin' tape. Well, me hearties, blow me down! Instead, arrr, I used Top Flite Monokote red and black trim sheets along with t' supplied decals. Ahoy! Begad! Man, I love that sinister sharks mouth. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag!

I finished t' model by sprayin' t' model with gloss clear enamel to protect and seal everything. Ahoy! Ahoy! I decided t' use a 12 inch chute that I stole from one o' me X-Flyers rather than t' 18 inch one. Avast! I felt that it be too big for this light o' a rocket.

PROS: Decals provided for two trim schemes, Fantastic finished appearance.

CONS: No stripin' material provided. Blimey! Blimey! Stripin' tape is a tad pricey.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Reccommended motors are t' A8-3, B4-4 (first flight(, B6-4, ya bilge rat, C6-5. Arrr! This rocket uses recovery waddin' t' protect t' chute and t' clip retains t' motor. Arrr! The chute is packed in t' normal manner.

For me first flight, matey, I used an A8-3 since I be flyin' on a high school football field. Ahoy! T' rocket flew straight off t' pad and flew t' about 120 feet. Well, blow me down! I felt that it was low, slow and OK but I felt that more power was needed. Blimey! For t' second flight, me bucko insisted that I try some o' his cellouse waddin' istead o' t' Estes waddin' that I normally used. Aye aye! I also loaded up a B6-4. Aye aye! That be a good choice. Ahoy! T' rocket flew perfectly t' about 300 feet. Begad!

PROS: Excellent flight performance.

CONS: None found.

Recovery:
I used a 12 inch chute, arrr, matey, so both recoveries were recovered very close t' the pad. Well, blow me down! I felt that t' provided chute was just a tad too big. Begad! It may be fine if you have a lot o' space and/or love t' run a long distance. On t' second flight, me hearties, t' waddin' worked perfectly. Thanks, Dan. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast!

T' 12 inch chute also worked well enough t' brin' t' rocket back without any damage. I would highly recommend this. Begad!

PROS: Recovers close on a 12 inch chute

CONS: Stock chute just a tad too big.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Priced at $10.99, I felt that this kit be a good buy. It was also fun t' build and fly. I feel that Estes did a really good job on this kit. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! I also feel that they should keep it in production for a long time. Blimey! Blimey! I very highly recommend this kit. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey!

Main PROS: Good price, Easy construction, ya bilge rat, Good parts fit, Good instructions, Excellent flight performance. Avast! Fantastic appearance. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty!

Main CONS: Should have a 12 inch chute instead o' an 18 inch one. Aye aye!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5