Brief:
This is an Estes E2X series rocket. It is a single stage rocket with streamer recovery for the booster and a helicopter recovered nose cone.

Construction:
The kit includes a body tube, engine hook, fin unit, plastic launch lug, shock cord, streamer, nose cone, helicopter blade, blade mast, nose cone insert, and decals. All parts are precolored so no painting is required.

PROS: Easy Assembly, good instructions, and parts fit.

CONS: Shock cord mount assembly. (It ripped out on me a couple times).

Being an E2X kit, this rocket is easy to build and can be built in an hour or less. The construction starts with the nose cone assembly then goes to mounting the engine hook and fin unit. Next a slit is cut in the body tube for the shock cord. The problem I see with this technique is that the shock cord can pull out. Now the plastic launch lug is applied to the body tube. Now the streamer is taped onto the shock cord.

Finishing:
PROS: No painting required.

CONS: None found All you need to do to finish the rocket is to apply the supplied decals.

Construction Rating: 4 ½ out of 5

Flight:
PROS: Easy prep, excellent flight characteristics.

CONS: None. This rocket does need recovery wadding.

After the wadding is packed you insert the streamer and then slide the nose cone in place. This rocket can fly on an 1/2A6-2 to a thrusty C6-7. I have flown this rocket three times. I used an 1/2A6-2 for two flights and it puts it up about 200 feet. I then used an A8-3 which put it almost about out of sight. The rocket flew straight every time. Unless you have a huge field, I would not recommend using any motor larger than an A. Due to the light weight and high performance design of this rocket, a B motor will put this rocket out of sight. Using a C motor could cause this rocket to fly off into infinity and never be seen again.

Recovery:
PROS: Close recovery unless wind is present.

CONS: None.

Due to the light weight, this rocket comes down fine with the streamer while the nose cone helicopters down the the ground.

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
This was one of my first rockets since I started flying rockets back in 1994 and I have enjoyed flying it every time.

Main PROS: Easy assembly, no painting, excellent parts fit, excellent high altitude flights, nose cone is fun and interesting to watch as it spins to the ground.

Main CONS: Weak shock cord attachment.

Overall Rating: 4 ½ out of 5