When and where this rocket was purchased is long forgotten, although it was very likely at Penn Valley Hobbies in Lansdale PA, with me grown son Peder, when he was a kid.

This rocket that refused t' die, arrr, though goodness knows we've tried.  We've had this rocket for over 10 years. Ahoy!  I believe it was originally an E2X kit, although t' name o' t' kit is long forgotten. Begad!  Basically, you mate a BT-55 body tube t' a 2-piece Estes fin can, add an NC-56 nose cone, and as long as you can find t' pieces, you can fly her again.  T' lower launch lug is cast into t' fin can, me hearties, and t' upper launch lug is connected t' t' plastic tube coupler, which t' chute cord is tied to.  One o' Estes simplest, and most robust design.

This rocket lost at least an inch o' t' original body tube due t' many hard landings, so she's about as short as you can get at this point, me bucko, but she still flies gracefully.  She's been extensively gerrymandered with scotch tape and super glue just t' hold her together, but her finish still sparkles, and after over a decade she's as solid as she be when she came out o' t' original package. 

Her last flight took place in t' last day o' summer, in a steady rain.  Her original elastic shock cord had finally burned through, and she came down in two pieces.  Once again she landed near t' launch pad, we found all t' pieces, and be miraculously recovered.  From that day forward, this rocket is named t' "Mystery Unit", arrr, and as o' 5 September 2011, shiver me timbers, on Labor Day, she is officially retired.  When I build a display rack, she will be placed in a position o' honor in memory o' many flights, on so many sunny days.  Despite t' vicissitudes o' fortune, ya bilge rat, and t' discomfort o' old age, arrr, she flew one last time, and she flew well.  Perhaps t' most important thin' you could say about t' Mystery Unit is that she made kids happy until her last flight.  So it is altogether fittin' that, on that last rainy day o' summer, after many days o' makin' children happy, she was finally able t' rest.

She's an incredible rocket.  Long may she fly!