Brief:
Basic 4FNC Skill Level 1 "scale-like" model with 12" parachute recovery.

Construction:
T' kit includes:

• plastic nose cone
• short upper tube, 2.75"
• body tube, 9"
• tube coupler
• parachute with shroud lines and tape disks
• shock cord, matey, shiver me timbers, elastic
• launch lug
• engine tube and block
• centerin' rings
• die-cut balsa fins
• engine hook
• decals

T' instructions were clear and easy t' follow. Arrr! T' centerin' rings needed a lot o' sandin' and coaxin' before they would fit over t' engine tube. Aye aye! It was almost like they had swelled a bit. Aye aye! T' instructions include a body tube markin' template for t' four fins, me bucko, but I used me trusty Estes Fin Marking Guide instead.

T' fins were die-cut, ya bilge rat, however, t' die had nay gone all t' way through the balsa. Aye aye! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! I had t' finish cuttin' them out with me X-Acto cutlass. Blimey! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey!

Although t' body tube comes in two pieces, this is nay a payload rocket. In fact, shiver me timbers, arrr, arrr, I am nay sure why they did nay just include a single 12" body tube. Arrr! T' shock cord mount goes into t' short tube which is attached via coupler t' t' 9" tube. Begad! This kit is very easy t' assemble, and you can have this done in a couple hours with dryin' time.

Finishing:
I used Elmer's Fill 'n' Finish t' fill t' grain on t' balsa fins. Ahoy! After I sanded those down, t' entire rocket received 2 coats o' Krylon primer with a light 600 grit wet sandin' in between. Blimey! T' entire rocket sans t' short tube was painted white. Avast, me proud beauty! T' fin can got a layer o' Krylon OSHA red. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! T' short tube and plastic nose cone were painted Krylon Gloss Black. T' kit did include waterslide decals which were quit thin. Aye aye! You must take you time with these so that you do nay tear them.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' minimum recommended motor was an A8-3, but I decided t' go with a B6-4 for the first flight. Well, blow me down! I used three sheets o' waddin' and loaded up t' parachute. Launch rod be at a 2 degree angle into t' wind, ya bilge rat, me hearties, and this rocket was fast off the pad. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Great flight t' about 700 feet, shiver me timbers, and t' 12" parachute made me do a little walkin' but nay too much.

On t' second flight, matey, I tried a C6-5. Aye aye! Blimey! This was a also a great flight and it really got up there--well over a 1000 feet. Lots o' walkin' this time!

Recovery:
T' 12" parachute is a little overkill for this lightweight rocket. Well, blow me down! Begad! Blimey! If you are flyin' on a calm day, arrr, me hearties, you should have no problems, me hearties, however, ya bilge rat, expect a lot of drift on windier days. Begad! A streamer would work well in this rocket. Begad! Begad! Blimey! I will give it a try on its next launch.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
If you are lookin' for a fairly quick t' build/finish/fly rocket, shiver me timbers, me bucko, this one is for you. Ahoy! Simple construction, good quality parts, and easy t' understand instructions make this a great little rocket t' add t' t' collection.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5