Brief:  This is a minimum diameter, single staged rocket with forward swept fins, designed to break mach using Aerotech 18mm D and E engines.

Construction:Everything was there, nothing damaged.   The fins are 1/8 inch thick precut plywood. The body tube is spiral wound paper. I had the option of getting fiberglass parts all around, but chose paper for lower cost. The launch lug is also spiral wound paper, and is 1/8 inch diameter. The nose cone is ogive, solid machined balsa. The streamer is metallic mylar, blue on one side, and silver on the other, and it is 48 inches long by 1 inch wide.

The instructions were illustrated and very clear and simple. The model was simple to construct. The only gotcha is to put the fins in a forward swept position. Mathematically, you might think that this would increase drag, but maybe not so at the speeds this little rocket can attain.

Finishing:There are numerous red decals that I applied over an orange spray painted surface. They are the type that easily peels off when soaked in water, and they went on smoothly. I used epoxy for the fin attachment since it was an on-the-tube attachment and I wanted strength. I also made fillets all around. I also made fillets all around. I also applied epoxy over the entire fins to glass them, and the result was a hard, smooth finish. The model looked sharp.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:The recommended motors are the Aerotech 18mm D and E group. I used the E25-10. I used the E25-10. It was easy to prep, except that the streamer needs to be meticulously wound or else it does not fit into the body easily. Worm bedding wadding was used, and the motor was retained using tape. The model not only flew straight, it made a loud pop as it practically teleported off the pad. It left so fast that attempts to photograph it created only a shot of an empty pad!

Recovery:The recovery system worked fine, although I did not know this until two months later, which I'll explain soon. The shock cord is 3 feet of black 1/8 inch wide flat elastic attached to the inside wall of the body tube via a small loop of Kevlar® cord which I provided and a folded paper mounting.

I provided the Kevlar® cord as a carryover habit from higher power, as Kevlar® can take heat better than elastic can, and since that end of the shock cord system is closer to engine fumes, I wanted it flameproof.   Also, epoxied elastic becomes brittle, so I don't directly adhere it to the shock mount any more.

Nobody saw where the model went, except to say, "Damn high. "So I gave it up for lost after a two-hour search in the searing desert heat and bought another. Two months later, it was found in flyable condition!!!

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:Sturdy, can survive extreme sun and some rain.   very fast mover. About the only thing I'd change is to make it a parachute to give me a chance to spot it better. Maybe it'd drift a mile, but part of the fun is getting models back.

I recommend this one for you altitude and speed buffs.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5