Brief:
24mm scale model version of an early Japanese sounding rocket.

Construction:
The parts list:

• 1 BT-60 "booster" tube
• 1 BT-50 "sustainer" payload section
• 1 BT-50/60 balsa transition
• 1 balsa nose cone
• laser cut fins

There's not much to add to the previous review of the 3x18mm cluster version of this rocket because it's the same rocket. The only difference is the 24mm engine tube and hook instead of the cluster MMT. The review covered the main points.

You can have the nose cone friction fit and leave a working payload section. I chose to follow the directions and paint over it for the better scale result.

Finishing:
How one finishes this rocket is optional. Finishing it with the scale paint scheme is a challenge. The main color is aluminum (flat silver). The transition and the top of the payload section are chrome (shiny silver). The stripes are fluorescent orange (exact dimension are in the instructions).

Metal paints is very difficult to mask and not mar. Painter's tape is better than masking tape. By far the best way to keep from messing up the previous metal layer is to let it dry. I'm talking a week of curing and drying undisturbed. After not doing this and doing lots of sanding, I took it slow and painted it over an almost 3 weeks time period. The results were worth it. It's the first scale model I can honestly say I'm proud of the way it turned out. Of course, this had nothing to do with ASP's design.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
Flights have been on E9s (4, 6 and 8 second delays) using cellulose wadding. Flights are invariably great and often draw comments. For a scale bird, this is a real performer. Apogee on E9s is about 6 seconds but any of these delays work fine.

Recovery:
Due to an extra long shock cord, there's no bumping of the long payload section against the main body during descent. I use a 12" nylon X-form chute and it brings it back a little fast but close to the pad.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
Getting the exact paint scheme is difficult, but I won't rate ASP or the kit down for that. I do think it's worth taking the time and doing right.

As for direct comparison between this and the 3x18mm version, I have plans for a drag race between mine and a friend's cluster version. I'll post the results after we fly.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5