Brief:The Ultra Performer is a large, clustered HPR rocket.

Construction:The tubes are flexible phenolic with a fiberglass nose cone. The kit came with one parachute but I added a second for a drogue. The main is a little smaller than I'd like . . . it is 70" and I think 80+" would be better. The shoulder on the nose cone is a little smaller than I'd like, too, but isn't a big problem.

The instructions were clear for anyone who has built an HPR before.   They are basically just a picture showing the steps as well as basic instruction rather than a detailed step by step "manual". The rocket kit as a whole is very well put together and flies great on a K550 up to 3000'.   I haven't tried a cluster yet but plan on it. The kit is available with a choice of engine mounts , one 54mm, one 75mm, one 98mm or one 54mm and three 29mm. Altogether a great kit!

The body comes in three tubes, two main tubes plus the payload bay. The fins and centering rings are 3/8 " plywood and the launch lugs are 1/2" brass. The payload bay is very large and is easy to add electronics to. This was my first dual-deployment rocket and adding the altimeter was no problem. Without the altimeter I think deployment would be fine but I'd still like a larger parachute.

The rocket weighs more than I thought it would when I was finished building it. This may be due to the fact I glassed the bottom 1/3 of the lower tube. The only parts I added were plastic rivets to secure the payload bay and a second parachute. As far as filling in spirals and painting . . . I don't do it. I paint them primer red and don't really finish them.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:I like the K550 for it. I like the K550 for it. I used dual-deployment with an Adept altimeter. The rocket needs a lot of wadding since the tubes are so big.

Recovery:The rocket could use a bigger chute. On the second flight the main didn't eject and it came down on just the drogue. The top 6" of the tube was destroyed, as well as, the nose cone shoulder.

When I ordered the rocket I said I was going to modify it for dual deployment so they added au-bolt to the middle bulkhead for the drogue 'chute.   The parachutes are attached with quick links.

Flight Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:PRO's: strong components, nice shock cord and easy to build. CON's : parachute size a bit too small for my liking.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5