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Brief
Vintage rocket kit from MPC.
Components
This kit comes packaged more like a plastic model than the traditional model rocket "plastic bag and header". Since MPC also made plastic models, I suppose it made sense for them to package their rockets this way. I really liked the vintage look of the shirtboard box with the lithographed artwork on the front. The box also provided more protection to the components inside. Opening the box, I find well illustrated instructions printed on pulp type paper. The plastic nose cone and reducer was a surpise, but since MPC was primarily a plastic model company, it should not have been. Body tubes were of kraft paper and the balsa sheet for the fins was of good quality. Shock cord was nylon cord with a paper mount that had pre punched holes for lace through. Estes style plastic chute and streamer were also provided.
Construction
Construction was very simple and straight forward with lots of illustrations along the way. This kit gave you the option of either building a two piece rovery (nose cone section coming down on a streamer) similar to the Estes Chuter Two, or you could build it more traditionally with the nose cone section attached to the main chute. I chose the former but probably should have chose the more traditional method. My only con is the shock cord mount. It required a knot to be facing the inside of the body tube, which I feared would encumber the chute from deploying, but despite this, the chute functioned perfectly.
Finishing
The box art depicts a futuristic silver and gold rocket. I tried to stay true to this in finishing. I sealed the balsa fins with a mixture of white glue dilluted with water (the poor mans dope). Sanded lightly and gave everything a list coat of grey primer. After drying, I painted the appropiate sectiions and pieces with Testors silver and gold enamel respectivly. I applied the paint with a brush using bottle paints. After a couple of coats I was satisfied and moved on to the decals. Once again I used the box art as a gude. Decals were plentifull a variety was available if you wanted to customize. The decals had held up over time, so I had no trouble applying them.
Flight
Fast, straight ascent on a A8-3. Rocket flies very high. I used the two part recovery so I am glad I used a low power engine on the first flight or I would probably have lost the nose section. I plan to attach the nose section to the main chute for any subsequent flights. I think a B6-4 would do this rocket good.
Recovery
I do not recommend the two part reovery system, unles you have a small field. Anything bigger than an A engine, and the nose section could be lost.
Summary
This is really a cool kit. I hate I missed this brarnd as a kid. I think I would have liked it better than Estes at the time. If you are looking for a retro kit that won't break the bank, fun to assemble, and is a great flier, this is it. Too bad MPC went out of business.
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Flights
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