The old 1/4 scale North Coast Patriot may have been a good kit, but I wouldn't recommend the new Estes North Coast Patriot kit for several reasons.

Instructions:The instructions were not complete, as TWO separate addendum sheets were included. If you didn't see these two small slips of paper, you'd have trouble building the rocket.

Ease of Build:This rocket should have been easy to build, but it wasn't. There are several design problems with this rocket. The fins have good tabs, but the fin slots in the body tube were cut incorrectly on my kit. One of the instruction addenda told me to lengthen the slots 1/4". This is sloppy manufacturing. This is sloppy manufacturing. The thin-wall cardboard tubing used, it isn't strong enough. The plastic centering rings are strong enough, but they are not easily adaptable to a true 29mm motor mount tube or a 38mm tube, which this size kit could easily take. The biggest problem was the motor mount tube. Estes supplies a tube that is not a standard 29mm. It will take the NorthCoast motors, it will barely fit a 29mm Aerotech reload case, but it will NOT take Aerotech single-use motors. This is a major deficiency, as it requires the builder to buy a standard 29mm motor mount tube and replace the Estes tube with it if you want to use G-80's. This would probably void Estes' warrantee.

Most likely, Estes did this on purpose to attempt to get a captive market for their North Coast motors. They are good motors, a bit pricey, but I want to be able to use different motors, not just the F-62.

Quality:Sturdiness was another major flaw. This rocket zippers like a pair of Levis. This rocket zippers like a pair of Levis. The thin-wall tubing is not strong enough to handle the shock cord. Decals were excellent, a well-done part of an otherwise disappointing rocket. The rocket looks fine until you fly it, then it may look like it's fly is open.

Rating:This rocket definitely gets 1 point because of the numerous problems outlined above. The poor instructions, non-standard motor mount tube, and weak tubing make this a rocket to avoid ... particularly when PML has a 1/4 scale Patriot for less money and with stronger phenolic tubing.

I wish I had bought the PML Patriot instead, and will probably buy PML next time.

UPDATE 4/99:

In the year or so since I wrote this review, I have launched my NCR Patriot several times, mostly with G-64's G-75's and H-128's. The Patriot, despite it serious problems with construction, has flown okay. I've zippered or broken the upper body tube several times, as this rocket lands rough. The balsa strakes have also been dinged a bit. I tried phenolic, which did not zipper, but it cracked too easily on hard landings. Regular tubing is a better deal.

Two noticeable problems: 1/4" lugs are too small for a 4" rocket like this one. The launch rod bends a lot and a larger rod and lugs are definitely needed. Also this rocket weathercocks like an Estes SR-71, and it has gone horizontal at times. Some other people have noted melting of the plastic centering rings with hotter high-power reloads, but I haven't had this problem.