The following text is from the Binder Design Web site and describes the Thug.

**THUG**
DIAMETER : 4 inches
LENGTH : 33 inches
MOTOR MOUNT : 29MM
PARACHUTE : 24 inches
If you're looking for a small performer, the Thug is for you! Designed for those wanting a 4 inch diameter sport rocket that can fly on as little as a an E motor, or you can throw a H-180 in it and watch it go! Kit includes plastic nose cone, 1/8 inch cut and sanded ply fins, excellent instructions, and computer designed and cut vinyl lettering. A great small flying site performer!

I decided on the Thug after long deliberations on just which Rocket to get. This was to be my first Mid-Power/HPR rocket and I wanted it to be the right choice. I was looking for a rocket that I would be able to fly at a small field and that could be used for a level one certification as well. From my research the Thug seemed to fit the bill.

I was very happy when it finally arrived. I was a little disappointed in a few things about the kit I do not think that they reflect on the kit or Binder Design but the vendor that I was working through to obtain the kit. He mentioned to me that the kit did not have the fins and that he would have them made and before he sent the kit out to me. So after waiting and waiting and waiting the kit arrived, by the way I ordered it in July and received it in January. Well the fins were ill shaped and did not fit, but I was not about to send it back and wait again luckily the fins were on the big size. I spent a few hours reshaping the fins and testing the alignment before they were right. The kit did come with a nice fin alignment guide that helped a lot during this process. The rocket tube was clearly marked with pencil and magic marker for fin and launch lug locations. Once the fins were shaped correctly the rest was pretty easy. The quality of the kit and it other parts were first rate and the instructions were simple and easy to read.

I did make a few changes to the design to fit my own needs. I added an extra centering ring out of epoxied cardboard, the extra centering ring was to add more strength to the fin can since I was planning on cutting a hole between two of the fins for an electronic bay. I decided to put the electronics bay in between to of the fins since I could find no other good place in a rocket this short. The Thug will also be my test bed for some new electronics an altimeter and a magnetic apogee detector. The magnetic apogee detector caused me to rethink the metallic parts to the rocket. For the electronics bay I added nylon screws to hold it shut and shock cord mounting bolts are now brass. Also I am not keen on the idea of putting a 29 mm casing in without motor retention so I used brass wood inserts and copper clips for motor retention. I replaced the elastic strap with ten feet of tubular webbing and added Nomex® shielding for the parachute. With the extra weight that I added to the rocket I checked the CG and ran some sims on it and determined that it would need a few ounces of weight to the nose for stability, probably due to my over building and the added weight of the electronic in the fin can. Flying weight of the rocket with motor and electronics was 2 lb 2 oz.

The kit also comes with some very nice vinyl lettering and some chrome decals for the silver strap near the nose. I did not use the lettering but I did go with the chrome tape around the base of the nose cone.

For its first launch I go a F40, the weather was very windy on launch day but I was determine to get it up. The Thug weather cocked into the wind but flew straight, the charge went and it came down with out any problems. It was a little underpowered with the F40, so the next launch was with a G64 and this time I put the altimeter in the electronics bay but only along for the ride the deployment was still up to the motor. This flight went much higher, still weather cocked but that was to be expected with the high winds. The Thug went to 950’ and again came down without a scratch. I am very pleased with the performance of this rocket and plan on launching it with an H motor for my level one soon.

Construction – 4 - Why do HPR kits still come with elastic?
Flight/Recovery – 5
Overall – 5 Great Kit.