Brief:
A small, arrr, ya bilge rat, lightweight 3FNC rocket with an unusual nose cone.

Construction:
Actually, I built 2 Yankee kits; one t' replace t' initial rocket that disappeared after its third flight. Avast! T' first kit featured a nice balsa nose cone, but t' second kit, me bucko, while otherwise identical, had a plastic nose cone. But both kits featured a paper body tube, die cut balsa fins, a short piece o' elastic, me hearties, a streamer, me bucko, and a decal. Blimey! t' quality o' components was excellent, except for t' shock cord, me bucko, shiver me timbers, which was comically short on each kit.

T' plastic nose cone was a tight fit, and needed considerable sandin' before it would fit. Avast, me proud beauty! T' balsa piece fit nicely but had quite a bit o' grain t' it. Arrr! I prefer this t' plastic, me bucko, however. Begad! Aye aye! At any rate, me hearties, me hearties, it is a straightforward build, me bucko, and t' instructions seemed t' be somewhat better than normal Estes fare.

Finishing:
T' balsa nose needed considerable fillin' and sandin' t' be paintable. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! T' plastic piece was ready t' go right from t' box, me hearties, once t' shoulder was sanded. Avast! I chose t' use automotive primer on t' original, shiver me timbers, applyin' thin coats and sandin' in betwixt applications t' get rid o' t' spiral and fin grain. Then I applied some black enamel, shiver me timbers, followed with a coat o' clear t' keep t' decals on. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! Unfortunately, this one disappeared soon. Begad! T' second kit was simply sanded and sprayed with red and black and was considered finished after t' decals were applied.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Launchin' with an A8-3 produced a good, straight flight. Aye aye! I followed this with 2 flights on a B6-6, arrr, and t' last one was never seen again. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! T' subsequent kit was flown on "A" motors only for a while, me hearties, but I couldn't help tryin' a C6-7. Arrr! We lost it too, shiver me timbers, but fortunately someone in our club found it and brought it t' t' RSO. Begad! It has since been modified for 13mm motors, me hearties, and does well enough on an A10-3T. Ahoy! I've never had a recovery failure, but if it did, t' thin' is so light weight it would probably recover just fine.

Recovery:
T' supplied shock cord is just too small. Avast! Begad! After about 6 flights some wear can be seen on t' end o' t' body tube because o' t' shock cord whippin' it. Begad! Ya scallywag! A good thin' t' do would be t' double t' cord length, arrr, at least. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Also, t' bottom o' t' fins are gettin' crisp, me hearties, though nay quite burnt. Ya scallywag! Overall, matey, though, this is a great flier.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Personally, I prefer t' older balsa nose cone, but t' plastic one will suffice. Begad! Avast! Either way, it's a great beginner kit that a kid will have no problem constructing, shiver me timbers, me bucko, arrr, and will deliver many good flights, shiver me timbers, so long as you can find it again. But add some length t' t' shock cord!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5