(11/27/04) After flying a number of Art Applewhite's kits on 13mm - 24mm, I have moved up one notch to a Stealth 29mm. Will I fly this in my front yard? No, but I'm expecting the same fun, low altitude performance as I have had with the other variations.

The Stealth design is actually shared in many ways with the Qubit and Scimitar. The Qubit has a straight lower edgy, the Scimitar has a half-moon lower edge and the Stealth as a saw-tooth edge. The Stealth comes in a few colors, but why would anyone get anything other than black? After all, it is the "Stealth".

The kit includes the instructions, a 29mm motor mount tube, a cardstock template for three sides that are made of 1/4" foamboard, and lastly a single triangle piece of foamboard for the bottom of the rocket.

CONSTRUCTION:

The instructions are printed on 3 pages of 8½ x 11" paper. They are photo-illustrated which makes the easy to build rocket, even easier!

The major steps include cutting out the template and marking the three sides. Then, the three sides are cut per the instructions using a hobby knife. Use a NEW blade for this task.

The three sides are glued together with Elmer's Glue All (I used Elmer's White Glue).

The bottom is pre-marked for the launch rod hole and motor tube hole. Cut these out then glue the bottom into place.

The motor tube is glued into place.

Done!

Overall, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 5 points. Simple with good instructions.

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

Art Applewhite recommends the "Ellis Mountain G35 or any 29mm single use motor or Aerotech RMS-29/40-120 reload."

Art Applewhite warns, "Do not use a motor with the ejection charge installed as this will melt and burn the foamboard and eject the motor."

Art Applewhite indicates the Stealth should weigh 2.3 ounces. My Stealth weighed 2.2 ounces.

I decided to fly it for the first time on an EconoJet F20-4. I took off the paper cap and poured the BP into my BP bottle for use in another charge. I then tapped the motor to ensure all BP was out. I made a small thrust ring with about 3 wraps of masking tape and friction fit it into the motor tube.

I was alone, so I tried to set up to take a picture at the same time as I pressed the launch button. Whoa! Didn't expect that. Missed the photo completely.

The loudness of the F20 was great, but only seemed exaggerated by the design of the Stealth (is that possible). The Stealth exploded off the pad, then on the way up (straight) started a spinning motion. Lots of smoke as it tipped over and headed for the ground. Upon inspection the tip of the rocket is slightly crushed.

My second flight was on an Ellis G35-6 with the BP removed. Got this one on the camera! Very, very, cool! The G35 just kept pushing the rocket upward. Nice long burn. At the top, it too turned over in a lot of delay smoke. Recovered very close to the pad!

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, I would rate this rocket 4 ½ points. Awesome flights which allow F and G motors to be used in much smaller fields! Don't know what to do about the tip damage though. Maybe it should be filled with clay or epoxy.

I give the rocket an OVERALL rating of 4 ½ points. I have had a good experience with every one of Art Applewhite's kits. They are a unique niche in rocketry and can allow higher powered motors in smaller fields. They would make great demo or school project rockets as well! Go for it!

GUEST's OPINION:
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SPECIFIC ROCKET TIP:
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