I decided to use a slimline retainer and found there was just enough motor mount tube to accommodate this without interfering with the fin tangs if I only left 1/8" between the centering ring and the top of the motor mount. I used 15 minute epoxy throughout and first glued the forward centering ring to the motor mount and formed fillets on both sides. I decided to give the fins internal fillets so at this stage I left the rear centering ring unglued. I glued the motor mount into the body tube, using the rear ring to hold it in position and when well set I glued the fins in. I formed all the internal and external fillets before finally gluing in the rear centering ring and fitting the slimline retainer.

I attached the eye bolt to the bulk plate and glued this in to the nosecone.

Finally I attached small Delrin rail buttons into the rear centering ring and the CG point (without motor).

When it was completed (I included a quicklink and swivel for the chute), my rocket had a weight of 35 ounces as against the predicted 32 ounces. If you omitted the internal fin fillets and extra hardware, the predicted weight would be about right.

That is basically it, this is a simple rocket to build!

Finishing:
For finishing I first covered the rocket with 3 coats of primer filler and gave it a good sand between coats. I decided to go with the recommended paint scheme and after spraying the whole rocket white I found it difficult to mask off the sections for the red. In the end I measured up and drew what was to be red on paper, cut this out and used double sided tape to stick it to the rocket. I then masked against the paper, removed the paper and double sided tape and applied the red.

The only decal is the vinyl lettering of "ARCAS", but this is all it needs.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
I have only flown this rocket once on an aerotech G53FJ5 RMS motor. This is not on the list of recommended motors but is in the general performance range. Rocksim predicted 760' and I think this would have been pretty close. The rocket lifted off impressively and flew straight as an arrow.

Recovery:
Unfortunately, the recovery system failed with my only launch. The nosecone popped gently off right at apogee but the chute did not clear the body tube. The rocket came in flat and made an impressive "thud" as it landed.

When it was found the chute fell out of the body tube when it was picked up so it must have been close to deploying properly! Apart from a paint chip, the rocket was otherwise completely undamaged with not so much as a cracked fin fillet. I think the nosecone is still a little tight and I will sand it back a little more before its next flight. With a little luck, deployment would have been perfect, but I will take away 1/2 a point for the tight nosecone (even though it is probably my fault).

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
Pro's

This kit is simple to build and being all G10 this is one tough rocket. apart from the nosecone, all the parts fitted perfectly. It is also impressive to fly.

Con's

The only thing that I would change with this kit would be the option of a 38mm motor mount. The rocket could handle it and it would make it much more versatile.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5