Brief:
If the Flintstones had a rocket, this would be it. A simple BT-80 based 3FNC with an unusual nosecone, waterslide decals, and a novel paint recommendation.

Construction:
The kit contains:

• 1 X BT-80 body tube 14.25"
• 1 X BT-50 24mm 4.25" motor mount tube
• 3 X laser cut 1/8" balsa fins
• 2 X BT-80 motor mount rings
• 1 X 24mm engine block ring
• 1 X D-engine motor hook
• 1 X BT-50 external coupler engine hook retainer
• 1 X rubber shock cord 30" length, trifold mount
• 1 x NC-80 nose cone (Estes part number 61465, PNC designation not known) this is a new dimpled FatBoy style cone
• 1 x 3/16" x 2" launch lug
• 1 x 18" assembled parachute
• 1 x yellow engine space tube
• 1 X sheet waterslide decals

Instructions were typical Estes. Very easy to follow, nicely illustrated. No gotchas. Materials were typical high Estes quality with a longer than usual shock cord. Motor mount tube is easily long enough to set up for an E-motor but engine hook is for D (and 24mm C) engines.

Finishing:
Finishing is what sets this rocket apart from other Estes kits. Recommended paint is grey "textured" paint to give the rocket a rough granite-like appearance. This paint is expensive (almost as expensive as the kit) so look for it on sale. Having never thought to use this non-aerodynamic paint on a rocket kit before, I found it a lot of fun. Really hard to "mess up" the paint job on this kit. I was also concerned the decals wouldn't apply well to the surface but I was wrong. They laid down surprisingly well and minor pressure on the decals with a piece of balled up paper towel made them mold into the nooks an crannies. I saw a recommendation somewhere to first apply a gloss coat, after the initial textured coat, to help the decals lay down but I didn't find this necessary. I did gloss coat afterwards to seal the decals in place. Only potential "gotcha" on the decals is that the fin decals are a fairly large, pre-sized X-shape which may be difficult for folks new to waterslide decals. Having put on a million decals in my youth I found them a slight challenge to apply without folding or tearing. They might be a litle frustrating for a skill level 1 builder (which is what this kit is rated). I've heard complaints about decal fragility in other new Estes kits but I didn't find that a problem with the Rock-it. Overall, what sets this rocket apart is it's finish and I found it to be new, different, and fun. Lots of smiles at launches with the novelty and silliness of the way it looks.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
Completely unexpected was how well this rocket flies. It's basically a lengthened Fat Boy (now discontinued) with a 24mm motor mount. Wow does this thing fly great. On C11's it does about 350 - 400 feet and a D12 gets about 500-600 feet. A more emphatic flight than the Fat Boy because of the bigger boost. Very stable, even in high wind. I haven't checked RockSim but I can't imagine setting up for an E would pose a problem. Really flies great.

Recovery:
Chute is right sized, but it really doesn't matter. I drove 2 hours to launch with a friend and got there to find 15 - 20 mph winds. I launched the Rock-it with only nose-blow recovery (no parachute or streamer at all) and it tumbled down nicely onto the grass completely without injury to the fins or body tube. I've since had another flight where the chute tangled and acted more as a streamer. Again, no damage, this time from D-altitude. With fins this big you think they'd be prone to snapping but apparently the 1/4" balsa does the trick. Shock cord is much longer than prior Estes standards, almost 30" which works well.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
Overall, I like this rocket way more than I thought I would when I bought it. I've flown a lot this summer and this is the one rocket I've taken to every launch. Unique look. Easy to build. Flies great. Solid as a tank. Heck of a looker and performer for such an inexpensive level one rocket. My only ding in the points is because the fin decals might be a little frustrating for true level one builders. Other than that, this one is perfect in every way. After 40 years it must be a little hard to come up with something new, but the Rock-it is a surprising great addition to the Estes legacy.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5