Brief:
This is a single stage model rocket kit using a 24mm motor mount and uses parachute recovery. It's a rather different looking model rocket in that it features a large wing in the rear of the body tube. On my assembled kit, the wing span was 20.1". It sure gets looks when you go and launch it as it's not your standard 3FNC kit!

Construction:
The kit features an 18" body tube that looks like an Estes-type in feel and color, the nose cone is plastic, the centering rings are laser cut black fiber, and the motor mount uses a metal motor hook for retention. The shock cord is 1/4" wide and a good length that is attached to a Kevlar® cord that is connected to the motor mount. The Kevlar® cord is tied to a brass swivel and you tie the shock cord to the swivel and the free end to the nose cone. The parachute uses a snap swivel with hook to connect to the nose cone. The fins/wings are of 3/32" basswood that have a nice, fine grain. The fins/wings are pre-cut.

You build this kit in two parts. First part of the instructions has you assemble the motor mount and mark the body tube. Then you glue in the motor mount to the body tube making sure the motor hook is opposite the line for the basswood strip. The second part of the instructions, completes the assembly of the kit. The kit is rated as a skill level 3 kit. That's about right but its a builder's kit--not a super simple slap-on-the-decals type! The instructions call for the use of a heavy CA type of glue. They are correct! Elmer's just won't be good to get the large wing on. You need something that sets up within a few minutes! The wing mounting is the hard part of the kit. All fin and wing material is from pre-cut basswood. On the fins and large main wing, you just need to sand an airfoil and then you are ready to go. I am happy that you don't have to start cutting basswood! You also need to sand a curve on the 2 basswood strips but that takes almost no time with a sanding block. You also have to cut/file a small indent in the smaller length of strip but again, it's no big deal! The assembly pictures here are a large help. After the 18" length of basswood strip is glued on, the big wing is attached. Rocketpad has pre-marked this wing so you know just where it has to go--no messing up on the location. Just take your time and get the wing on square. Getting a helper on this step would be great. When all the fins and wings (and 3/16" launch lug) are on and dry, the instructions have you put heavy glue fillets on all the junctions at the body tube, wing/body tube, etc. This is where you can use Elmers's wood glue as I did. It makes for a real strong assembly. After the fins/wing is attached and all dry, you just finish up: assemble the mylar parachute, nose weight in the nose cone, and things like that. Once its all assembled up, it feels real solid. The instructions were fine and the pictures were very helpful. By the way, like most Rocketpad kits I have put together, the pictures are on sheets that are not on the instructions. I like this as you can view the steps and the pictures at once. No CONs here.

Finishing:
Finishing this kit is like any kit that has balsa or basswood fins. I used 3 coats of Aerogloss sanding sealer for a nice smooth finish on the fins/wing. I was thinking of painting the kit white and not the bright orange that was on the kit picture card but then thought the Orange would look cool in the sky so I used Testor's #1628 gloss orange to paint the rocket with 3 coats. I took my time between coats and got a solid finish. The decals are color waterslide type and not the super thin stuff. You will need a big dish or tray for the large decals though. I had help with this. My buddy Bob held the rocket while I applied the decals. This made it much easier to do with out messing up the decal. When all done, this is one cool looking kit!

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight and Recovery:
The recommended motors are the Estes C11, D12-3, and D12-5. I used Estes wadding in the kit Prep is like most other model rockets in that the motor slips in with no hassle and is held in with a metal motor hook. The included launch lug is a 3/16" size. The correct size for this kit. I used a C11-3 for the first flight and it was cool! The launch was slow at first then it got its stuff together and took off! A nice straight flight though not all that high. Ejection was just as it started to nose down. I had no walk as it came down next to the pad.

The next flight was with a D12-5 and this one went higher. The second flight, I had a small walk but to problem. The ejection on this motor was nose down.

For the third flight, I put in a D12-3. The wind started to come up but we have a large launch area here. It was a fast take off and a rather straight flight although toward the end of powered flight, it started to angle a little. I did not see just where ejection was this time. It was much higher. I did have to walk to the edge of our field this time. This flight was like the last one so I am guess that the angling was from the wind because it was straight till just before burnout. This time the wind took it on a ride across the road to a different field, where there were trees and a big rock. One of the side fins got a ding but did not break. Basswood is stronger than balsa! It floated a long way since we were in the center of the big field. This was the only damage to the rocket on any of its launches.

No CONs on flight and it looks so different going up. The smoke seems to widen out more than most rockets, maybe because of the air flow of the big wing? I don't know, but it was cool! The mylar parachute has held up nicely for 4 flights. Shock cord is a little blackened now but no burns or damage.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
This is one of 5 Rocketpad kits I now have and I like it very much. The price was in the low $20s and a good deal. The fins and the big wing are precut and the materials are first class. The main PROs are the pre-cut wing/fins of basswood and good clear instructions. I got this kit from their eBay auction in the spring and just assembled it in early July 2006. There was nothing I would call a CON. It would make life easier though if someone helped you when its time to attach the large wing. My weight was a little more than the weight Rocketpad had in the fact sheet with the instructions. They have it as 6.9oz and I got mine at 7.1oz. Not off by much! It's not a kit for first time builders but get some skill level 2 kits built, and I think anyone can then do this one. Just take your time.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5