Brief:
This is a new kit from Estes with cruise missile styling. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! 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. Aye aye! Ahoy! Decals for both are included. Avast! T' kit included the body and motor mount tubes, centerin' rings, arrr, retention hook, ya bilge rat, launch lug, shock cord, me bucko, nose cone, ya bilge rat, 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. Begad! Also included were t' fin alignment template and t' shock cord mount. Ahoy! Avast! This is a skill level 2 kit, so t' builder is assumed t' have some previous modelin' experience. With that in mind, me bucko, I began construction. Blimey! Aye aye!

I started with t' motor mount. Aye aye! This was very easy t' assemble. Arrr! After it dried and after addin' some fillets for strength, ya bilge rat, I glued it into t' body tube. Begad! Arrr!

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

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

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

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

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. Blimey! Well, me hearties, blow me down! I felt that it be too big for this light o' a rocket. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down!

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

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

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Reccommended motors are t' A8-3, B4-4 (first flight(, me bucko, B6-4, C6-5. Ya scallywag! This rocket uses recovery waddin' t' protect t' chute and t' clip retains t' motor. Begad! Ya scallywag! The chute is packed in t' normal manner. Ahoy!

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

PROS: Excellent flight performance. Ya scallywag! Begad! Blimey!

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 be just a tad too big. Blimey! Well, me bucko, blow me down! It may be fine if you have a lot o' space and/or love t' run a long distance. Avast! On t' second flight, me bucko, shiver me timbers, t' waddin' worked perfectly. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Thanks, Dan. Ahoy!

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

PROS: Recovers close on a 12 inch chute

CONS: Stock chute just a tad too big. Avast! Begad!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

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

Main PROS: Good price, arrr, Easy construction, arrr, Good parts fit, Good instructions, me bucko, Excellent flight performance. Aye aye! Fantastic appearance. Ya scallywag!

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

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5