Brief:
This is a single stage skill level 3 kit. This kit is inspired by a rocket in a 1929 sci-fi movie. I built a Frede sometime back in early 2004 and lost it on a windy day so I got another one in September 2005. It uses an 18" mylar parachute. I enjoyed the first one, so that's why I got a second one.

Construction:
The kit comes with a 2.6" Estes type body tube. It also features plywood centering rings and a Kevlar® shock cord system. It does not have fins per se but what Rocketpad calls "fin units". There are 4 of these fin units. They are made from nice quality balsa and the inside of each unit is basswood. It uses a plastic nose cone and a 3/16" launch lug. Also, there is a block of clay weight for the nose cone that is soft and easy to use. All around nice parts in the kit. You even get a spacer for the shorter D motors!

The instructions on the second Frede kit is a bit different than the first one. There are lots of detailed numbered pictures that the instructions call out for you to look at. The assembly was very easy on this second one. (The first one I had was OK but this new one is first rate.) The instructions are numbered 1, 2, 3, etc. to the end on a few sheets. It's not a kit for the first time builder but fine if you have built a few skill level 2 kits. I looked at the original review and don't see the problems the reviewer saw! The fit in the centering rings was fine. There was one hole in each one for the 4" motor tube. My first kit also hade lite ply centering rings with multiple cutouts but this one is much improved. I use a combo of Elmer's wood glue and CA for construction. I had no problem following the instructions at all. There were no cons in the constructions of the second Frede kit.

Finishing:
I finished the Frede kit the same color as the one in the place card in the kit. I first used 3 coats of sanding sealer on the balsa fin units, and the body tube was fine and need no filler. I used a Gray Rustoleum spray paint to paint the rocket. The decals went on fine are of a nice thickness--not the real thin stuff you sometimes get. I think the finished kit looks real sharp and the guy get a kick out of the different look of this rocket. The finishing was straightforward like any other kit although Rocketpad suggests that you to use a high temp paint on the inside basswood part of each fin unit. I used hot fuel-proof dope from model airplanes that I got at a local hobby shop. They state that the rocket weights 7.9oz. I weighed it on a lab scale at work. My kit's weight was close at 8.2oz.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
I first launched this new kit using a D12-3 motor. They warn you not to use any of the 24mm C11 motors. The flight was straight up with no swaying or anything different than any other kit. The ejection was as the rocket started to head down--just at the turn. The next flight got the E motor, an E9-4. It blasted off most impressive off the pad--quicker than the D motor! The flight was much higher than the D I first used. The flight was fine also. From what we all could see, the parachute came out as it was pointed down. I used Estes recovery wadding for the flights and it was fine. No con here in the flights.

Recovery:
The 18" parachute worked as it should. It did come down a fraction faster than other kits with an 18" but still hade a soft landing on our grass field. After 5 flights, the inside of the fin units were blackened a bit and the paint was a bit heated from the E motor but I cleaned it up a bit and have repainted it. There was no damage to the fin units though. I think I should have used a third coat of dope though on the original paint job.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
OK, I read over the first review and have come to some conclusions on what happened to the first reviewer's Frede kit. I put my 3/16" launch lug on the outside of the fin unit/body tube junction as the instruction stated and used standard Aerocoat sanding sealer on the fin units. I think he did mess up the air flow with the launch lug inside the fin unit. Also, I am sure the stick on paper used on the fin units messed up the balance of the kit for its bad flight. I don't see any problems in the instructions either as they are numbered in order with reference to the numbered instructions. I think it pays to follow the instructions as the manufacture say to get the same results. I have 4 of Rocketpad's kits and find them great. They are builders kits though. This is not a kit for beginners.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5