Brief:
This is a new kit from Estes with cruise missile styling. 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. Decals for both are included. Aye aye! Begad! T' kit included the body and motor mount tubes, centerin' rings, arrr, arrr, retention hook, launch lug, shock cord, nose cone, die-cut paper scoop, arrr, matey, die-cut fin sheet, 18 inch assembled plastic parachute and decals. Avast, me proud beauty! After checkin' that all t' components were accounted for and damage free, I be ready t' began construction.

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

I started with t' motor mount. Blimey! This be very easy t' assemble. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! After it dried and after addin' some fillets for strength, I glued it into t' body tube. Aye aye!

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

I then punched out t' die-cut scoop from its card. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! I attached it between fins #2 and #4. Begad! I found this step just a tad tricky. Aye aye! I now attached t' two top wings four inches from t' top o' fins #2 and #4. Begad! In me opinion this is the most critical alignment. Begad! If done correctly, me bucko, you shouldn't have any problems. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! If not, you will most likely experience some spiraling. Arrr! Arrr! After t' glue dried, 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. I be pleased when I found that t' shock cord be longer than normally found. Ahoy! Thanks, Estes. Begad! Blimey!

Finally, me hearties, 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. Aye aye!

PROS: Easy and rapid construction, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, Good parts fit. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! Blimey!

CONS: Scoop is somewhat tricky t' attach and no way t' attach interrior fillets. Avast, me proud beauty!

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

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

PROS: Decals provided for two trim schemes, Fantastic finished appearance. Ya scallywag! Begad!

CONS: No stripin' material provided. Well, blow me down! 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. Aye aye! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! This rocket uses recovery waddin' t' protect t' chute and t' clip retains t' motor. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! The chute is packed in t' normal manner. Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey!

For me first flight, arrr, I used an A8-3 since I was flyin' on a high school football field. Blimey! T' rocket flew straight off t' pad and flew t' about 120 feet. Arrr! Ahoy! I felt that it was low, ya bilge rat, slow and OK but I felt that more power was needed. Avast, me proud beauty! For t' second flight, 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. Avast, me proud beauty! That was a good choice. Arrr! Ya scallywag! T' rocket flew perfectly t' about 300 feet. Avast!

PROS: Excellent flight performance.

CONS: None found.

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

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

PROS: Recovers close on a 12 inch chute

CONS: Stock chute just a tad too big. Aye aye! Blimey!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Priced at $10.99, I felt that this kit was a good buy. Aye aye! It be also fun t' build and fly. I feel that Estes did a really good job on this kit. Ahoy! I also feel that they should keep it in production for a long time. Ya scallywag! I very highly recommend this kit. Well, blow me down!

Main PROS: Good price, ya bilge rat, me bucko, Easy construction, matey, matey, Good parts fit, Good instructions, shiver me timbers, Excellent flight performance. Aye aye! Fantastic appearance.

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

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5