Brief:
T' Superbird is a payload rocket which features separate payload & body recovery on 14" chutes.

Construction:
Upon openin' t' package, me hearties, ya bilge rat, all parts were present. T' body tubes seemed t' be of good quality, arrr, shiver me timbers, as were most parts. My only gripes were t' amount o' flashing still on t' plastic nose cone, me bucko, and one o' t' pre-cut fins had broken in half along t' grain. Arrr! Blimey! It was easily repaired with a little TLC. Avast! Reminded me o' an early Estes kit

This kit is rather easy t' assemble. Nay very much in t' way o' difficulty. Since this was me first Quest kit, t' shock cord arrangement was new for me. I liked it, and think I'll try it on all me future rockets, matey, shiver me timbers, as I've tired of shock cord burn through. Time t' buy some Keelhaul®©™®. Anyway, t' coupler for t' payload section t' main body section be a bit cheesy. Ahoy! It consists o' a paper disc glued t' a tube coupler. Blimey! Ya scallywag! T' cord & chute for t' upper section are attached through two holes in t' disc. I had to sand t' disc/coupler joint several times t' have a smooth fit. Avast, me proud beauty! It was too big t' start. A better part from Quest would work wonders here. Begad! Begad! Otherwise, everythin' else be straightforward.

Finishing:
This was just a basic paint job. Arrr! T' instructions suggest what colors t' use, but otherwise, its nothin' too tough. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! T' body wrap decal need a bit of convincin' t' keep t' seam down. Aye aye! I used a bit o' contact cement which worked wonders. Aye aye!

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended engines for this are (Estes equivalent) B6-4, C6-3, C6-5. Ya scallywag! My first flight was on a B6-4. Ahoy! Conditions were almost no wind, ya bilge rat, and a sunny. Avast! The rocket looked great on t' pad. T' flight be straight, matey, but altitude be a bit low. T' second flight was on a C6-3, me hearties, and this is where it really performed. Nice slow lift off, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, and impressive height. Blimey! Blimey! No spin, me hearties, and it arced over nicely at apogee.

Recovery:
I must admit I had some reservations about havin' this thin' lawn dart. Avast! The coupler in t' kit also serves as t' shock cord anchor for t' payload stage, and it just didn't fit very well. I am happy t' report me fears were unfounded. T' bit o' sandin' I did worked well, arrr, and thar be clean separation on each flight. T' bottom section came down without much drift, but t' top went on its merry way, ya bilge rat, especially t' second time. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! I've cut a spill hole for t' next time I fly it t' reduce t' drift. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! Overall, matey, arrr, me bucko, a great looking, nice flying, interesting, and FUN kit!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Good experience with me first Quest kit. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I'd get another one if I see something I like. Ya scallywag! PROS: Cool 'big' rocket with payload & neat dual section recovery. Clear instructions & nicely done shock cord system CONS: Parts quality could be a bit better, arrr, but OK as is. Aye aye!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5