Brief:
This is a new kit from Estes with cruise missile styling. Ahoy! Blimey! It is also a rather large diameter rocket (BT-60). 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. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Decals for both are included. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' kit included the body and motor mount tubes, ya bilge rat, centerin' rings, me bucko, retention hook, shiver me timbers, matey, launch lug, shock cord, arrr, nose cone, die-cut paper scoop, die-cut fin sheet, 18 inch assembled plastic parachute and decals. After checkin' that all t' components were accounted for and damage free, I was ready t' began construction.

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

I started with t' motor mount. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! This be very easy t' assemble. Arrr! After it dried and after addin' some fillets for strength, I glued it into t' body tube. Avast, me proud beauty!

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

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

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

Finally, matey, 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.

PROS: Easy and rapid construction, Good parts fit. Ya scallywag! Blimey!

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. I chose t' white sharks mouth scheme. Aye aye! Arrr! I sprayed the model with gloss white spray enamel. Ahoy! Since no stripin' material is included, the instructions reccommend stripin' tape. Ahoy! Instead, arrr, arrr, I used Top Flite Monokote red and black trim sheets along with t' supplied decals. Begad! Man, ya bilge rat, I love that sinister sharks mouth. Avast!

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

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

CONS: No stripin' material provided. Arrr! 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, shiver me timbers, C6-5. Avast, me proud beauty! This rocket uses recovery waddin' t' protect t' chute and t' clip retains t' motor. Begad! The chute is packed in t' normal manner.

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

PROS: Excellent flight performance. Arrr!

CONS: None found.

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

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

PROS: Recovers close on a 12 inch chute

CONS: Stock chute just a tad too big. Avast, me proud beauty!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

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

Main PROS: Good price, me bucko, Easy construction, ya bilge rat, matey, Good parts fit, Good instructions, me hearties, Excellent flight performance. Ahoy! Fantastic appearance. Blimey!

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

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5