Brief:
Although this resembles Quest's original Area-51 saucer, it varies slightly from the original. This is a SPEV (spare parts elimination vehicle) kit based on a crate of saucer tops that Quest found lying around. The bottom section is redesigned since the original parts were missing. Thus, although really simple to build, it is not RTF. It also doesn't have the wire 'legs' and is not pre-decorated.

Construction:
The following parts are provided:

• molded plastic body
• plastic launch lug
• cardboard motor tube
• cardboard motor block
• three fiberboard fins
• one 8-½" x 11" sheet of white label stock

The instructions are provided a single sheet and the build requires a hobby knife, plastic cement (tube type), and white (or wood) glue. You start by attaching the plastic lug to the body with plastic cement. The motor block is attached using wood glue. The motor tube is inserted and glued into a tube that is integral to the plastic body. This version doesn't have positive retention so a bit of masking tape will be required. The fins are glued to the motor tube with wood glue and have a tab that fits into holed in the body. How these fit should be evident in the attached photo. Th...th-that's all folks!

Finishing:
Quest provides four recommended color schemes and provides graphics for these on their web site. You can print your choice, or one of your own design, on the provided full page label. The saucer's native color is dark gray and I merely picked the decals that I though looked the best with this raw color.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
The recommended motors include the B6-0 and C6-0. I didn't have either so I went with one of Quest's new 'long burn' C6-3s. I friction fit the motor and lit it with the provided Q2G2 igniter. The throat of the motor seems deeper than the Estes C6 and the Q2G2 fit nicely and was held in place using the provided protective sleeve. The flight was fine but was fairly low in altitude.

Recovery:
The C6-3 ejected on the ground--this is not optimal. Plus, this makes me think that a B6 wouldn't be the best choice for this rocket, although I'm sure it would go up and come back down.

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
Functionally, this is your basic saucer design. I like saucers! Although it's a 'SPEV', I can't believe the original was any better. I personally liked the decoration options and it would be easy to come up with your own. I should mention that it also came with a Micro-Maxx saucer as a bonus. (A bonus that will probably make you want to but some of those motors if ya don't already have a stash.)

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5