Brief:
The Frenzee is an 8 motor cluster rocket (1-24mm and 7-18mm) which returns via parachute.

Construction:
I ordered this rocket using the companies order form found on the Fat Cat Rockets website. The rocket arrived in a short amount of time. The parts were packed loose in a sturdy box of packing peanuts. The parts consisted of a 17" body tube, nose cone, 2 plywood centering rings, one 9 1/2" 24mm motor tube, seven 2 3/4" 18mm motor tubes, seven 1/8" plywood fins, a length of steel cable, 4' of 3/8" wide elastic shock cord, two 1/4" launch lugs, a small bag of BBs and a nice 24" rip-stop nylon parachute.

The instructions consisted of 7 steps printed on a single 8x10" piece of paper. The instructions were well illustrated and simple to follow. The instructions also included a fin guide as well as a list of parts and additional assembly items required. The parts were assembled using yellow glue and epoxy. The 7 18mm engine tubes are glued around the 24mm engine tube. One of the centering rings is attached to the central motor tube at the top of the 18mm motor tubes and serves as a bulkhead for the smaller motor tubes. The fins are pre-cut and match sanded. The edges of the fins are sanded round and are then epoxied into the gaps between the 18mm motor tubes. The recovery cable is attached to the upper centering ring and the whole motor assembly is glued into the body tube. Nose weight is required and consists of BBs which are epoxied into the tip of the nose cone.

PROs: Easy to follow instructions and good quality parts.

CONs: No thrust ring for the 24mm motor tube, I chose to add one since I would only be using Estes motors.

Finishing:
No special finishing instructions were given. I tried to match the paint job of the model on the company's website. This consisted of 3 coats of primer and then painting main body tube white and the nose cone and fin section red. The paint scheme provides a unique look without too much work. No decals were supplied.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
I bought this rocket because I liked the idea of an 8 motor cluster. So the first flight I loaded it with seven C6-0s and one D12-5 (all Estes). The manufacturer suggests plugging the end of the C6-0s with epoxy, but I chose not to. No motor retention is supplied and all motors are simply friction fitted using masking tape. I added a healthy amount of dog barf and the rocket was ready to go. To launch this rocket successfully, I decided I needed a clip whip, so I built myself one with 8 sets of leads. Once on the pad I connected all 8 igniters and waited for ignition. Once the button was pushed all motors lit and the Frenzee leapt off the pad at a slight angle. The parachute deployed right on schedule, but that turned out to be a bit early. Upon recovery the rocket had suffered a 1/4" zipper. Other than that it was a great flight.

The second flight (months later and with the zipper repaired) I used a D12-7 and seven C6-0s. This flight was perfectly straight even in a 5-10mph wind and the rocket was recovered without damage.

Recovery:
Both flights have ejected all 7 of the C6-0 motors. I was lucky and found all but one casing. I did have some burn marks at the top of the 18mm motor tubes. This was due to my failure to seal them completely to the bottom of the centering ring. I added some glue after the first flight to keep this from happening again.

PROs: It is an 8 motor cluster! Ample shock cord with sturdy attachment and a very nice parachute.

CONs: The recommended motor delay was too short.

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
A good rocket that definitely scratched my cluster itch.

PROs: I thought all of the parts were of good quality and the directions simple to follow.

CONs: I wish there was a way to retain all of the motors.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5