(Contributed - by Bob Hvarven) Another little ARF - There will surely be a Global "Plastic Shortage" very soon. Just happened to see this one while sliding the isles at Wally World. This is a little intro to a Flying Saucer ARF.....

Package: Again, it is hard to slam the packaging. Estes has done a fine job of making an appealing product presentation. I would like to see them spend R&D money on bringing back the "Classic" Estes kits and making some new "Kits" instead of Injection Moldings....

Parts: The pieces are not many. The Saucer, and a bag containing some other things to make it work

These parts are in the plastic bag. (3) landing gear wires, an extra motor retention ring, a nice "Little" catalog and the ever present Estes Pamphlet with some Safety and NAR info inside.

Construction: The landing gear wires just "Snap" into place. Didn't think I would ever finish - Wheww. The instructions suggest you place a piece of tape over the wire to keep it from jumping out of the plastic slots. Yes, they point UP. When you see the flight profile you will understand. The motor retention ring was already in place, and there is no need for a streamer or parachute.

Oh - add a little tape - do a little dance - get down tonight, get down tonight.... One of the most important things about a hobby - Gotta make it FUN.

Yes, this is UP, and you are not experiencing CRT induced vertigo... Reference below..

Flight Profile: It goes up-pedey-up-up then it goes down-de-de-down-down. Gads!!! I think I just had a movie musical flash back .... As you can see, after boost and burnout of the motor, it looses it aerodynamic stability and flips over and lands on the cute little wire legs - ah, how sweet. I have seen one of these made by another company and it is worth watching - although the flight is very short. I've been racking what's left of my brain trying to figure out how to get an I-65 long burn into it ?? Hmmm.

Flight: The C-6-0 motor installed, the igniter installed, and the motor retention ring in place and we are about ready to go. The "Snitch" waits on the gantry for the countdown to begin. FIRE -

Got lucky and actually was able to get a picture !! Here the "Snitch" climbs straight and true (although not very fast). Flight altitude couldn't have been over 60-70 feet, but it was fun to watch. The motor quit and the saucer flipped over as advertised and floated down to earth.

It landed on the wire legs, but flipped over on it's side without injury. The only way you could tell it had even flown was the slight discoloration on the motor retention ring, and the pungent smell of a spent black powder motor. Very satisfying flight, and would work perfectly for school or other small field demo's

Opinion: I liked this flying saucer. I know I have stated elsewhere I have a distinct dislike for plastic ARF's, but this one filled a neat gap between fast and high rockets that was fun to play with. It looks like you could launch it until you ran out of money buying motors and it would still be in one piece. It would have value as a demo rocket. It was a nice change of pace, and I believe almost anyone would enjoy it. I'm rating it high on it's "stand alone" merits and not clumping it together with the other ARF rockets I have seen and flown. BUY IT - If you don't like it, I guarantee that maybe, possibly, kinda' that perhaps ESTES will give you your money back - sorta' Ah, what's $6.00 to a bunch of 'High-Rollers" like ya'll... :)

Rating: 5 out of 5 , For what it is, leave it alone, it works great.....

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Editor Note: These pictures were contributed by Dean Cooper. I thought they were worth posting without a review: