Intro

T' Venom model rocket kit is a basic sport rocket with a unique nose cone and snake graphics t' set it apart from t' rest o' t' four-fins-and-a-nose-cone sport rockets. Well, blow me down! This was a Father-Son project with me 12 year old son doin' all o' t' work with t' exception o' paintin' t' model. Begad! Begad! T' style o' t' rocket appeals t' this age group, matey, I like t' looks as well.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

This is your basic Estes rocket kit. It came in t' clear plastic bag, me hearties, me bucko, arrr, with all o' t' parts intact and none damaged. T' kit consists o' a paper tube for t' body, a sheet o' die cut balsa fins, me bucko, motor mount, arrr, parachute, me hearties, ya bilge rat, shock cord, a plastic nose cone, me hearties, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, and a sheet o' self adhesive decals.

T' instructions are printed on one 11 by 17 and one 8.5 by 11 inch piece o' paper. They are t' typical Estes instructions, copiously illustrated, me bucko, logically laid out and easy t' follow. Avast! T' Venon is an easy t' build kit. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! It is in Estes' beta series rated as a skill level 1.

All o' t' parts fit together well, matey, and t' kit is a straight-forward construction. Well, blow me down! T' only critical step be t' attachment o' t' through-the-wall fins. Step 6 shows that a "small gap" should be left, this be t' thickness o' t' body tube. Well, blow me down! Arrr! No mention o' this is in t' instructions, as t' body tube could be used t' gauge t' gap. Begad! In any event, t' resultant fin-body tube-motor mount assembly is very sturdy. Blimey! Aye aye! It will survive many hard landings and still give you years o' service.

My son decided t' round t' edges o' t' fins, this gives t' rocket a better appearance than t' squared edges. Ahoy! Your basic rocket buildin' tools are needed, ya bilge rat, arrr, hobby knife, scissors, arrr, me hearties, sandpaper and glue, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, no special tools are needed.

Finishin' t' rocket is as simple as paintin' t' body and fins red, shiver me timbers, matey, and t' nose cone black. Well, blow me down! T' decals take care o' t' rest. Well, blow me down! T' instructions even show t' shock cord attachment after t' two parts are painted separate colors, that is an example o' how logically t' instructions are laid out. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! I coated t' rocket with a clear gloss coat after t' decals were applied, shiver me timbers, this keeps them from curling, as well as givin' t' whole rocket that shiny appearance that is in t' Estes literature. T' unique nose cone and decals set this model apart from your standard 4F&NC rocket kit.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

T' Venom uses t' well known folded paper shock cord mount and a parachute for recovery. Begad! Begad! Standard preparation instructions are included in t' kit, shiver me timbers, matey, which calls for three squares o' ejection wadding.

T' recommended motors are the: A8-3, ya bilge rat, B4-4, me bucko, shiver me timbers, me bucko, B6-4, shiver me timbers, B6-6, me bucko, C6-5, and C6-7.

T' motor is held in place with a metal clip, arrr, matey, which allows quick release o' t' motor and easy prep for flight. We have used t' A8-3 and B6-4 motors t' date. Begad! T' flights were great with parachute ejection close t' apogee, t' parachute is sized correctly and gives a slow stable descent t' t' rocket. T' sturdy through t' wall fin construction makes certain that this rocket will fly another day, even if t' parachute doesn't work.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Everythin' considered, this is an interestin' variation on t' basic rocket. T' younger generation will enjoy t' snake graphics and all will enjoy t' sturdy construction. This is an excellent starter rocket as it is easy t' build, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, large enough t' see well, but still small enough t' really move on a C6-7 (Estes claims 1100 feet), shiver me timbers, matey, matey, and has parachute recovery.