Brief:  This rocket features sounding rocket styling and is part of the E2X series.  Recovery is by 12 inch parachute.

Construction: Like the rest of the E2X series, this model requires little construction beyond gluing and may be completed in a day.  The model is packaged in a box rather than a bag. All parts were included and intact. Fins and nose cone are plastic and the body tube is pre-slotted for the fins. Plastic cement is the only adhesive required.

Actually, if you've built the Mk-109 Stingray, you'll have a feeling of deja' vu during assembly as most parts are the same in both kits - just in different colors.

As in most of the E2X series, construction is not at all difficult and the directions are very easy to follow. An interesting development in both the Banshee and Mk-109 kits is a through-the-tube shock cord mount, not usually found on Estes kits. A plastic fitting helps to reinforce the tube where it is pierced by the cord.

Finishing: The color scheme is a very nice change from most non-scale kits. The body is black and the decals are orange.  Hence, you end up with a model that is very easy to track when skies are cloudy . . . which is the norm in the eastern part of the U.S.

Applying the decals is quite easy. End result looks great.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight: Three flights so far. Three flights so far. In the first, I used the recommended A8-3. Super performance. Model was extremely easy to track due to the color scheme. Great stability and the parachute deployed perfectly. The instructions suggest three squares of wadding and they're definitely needed as the wadding was quite singed.

Next two flights used B6-4 and C6-5. Only problem was that the parachute tore on the third flight.

Recovery: No drift problems and the unique shock cord attachment seems to work fine.

Flight Rating:  4 out of 5

Summary: PROS: A super kit if you're looking for a model that's quick to build, easy to track, requires no painting, and looks more serious than a lot of other sport kits. CON: Parachute tore, but most likely just a fluke.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5