Brief:
The Sunward Aerospace Galactic Wave is a rocket with futuristic spaceship styling, complete with laser cannons. It flies on 18mm motors and is recovered with an 18 inch parachute.

Construction:
The kit came packaged in a plastic bag with a very professional header card and included the following components:

• 2 BT-56 size main body tubes
• 2 BT-50 size side body tubes
• 1 tube coupler
• 1 BT-80 size coupler
• 4 1/8" launch lugs
• 4 3/16" launch lugs
• 1 motor mount tube
• 2 centering rings
• 1 thrust ring
• 1 motor hook
• 1 1/8" main launch lug
• 2 balsa fin sheets
• 1 nose cone with molded canopy
• 1 rubber shock cord
• 1 18" parachute, tape rings and shroud lines
• 1 sheet of tube cutting patterns
• 1 peel and stick decal sheet

This kit is rated as a skill level 3 so some previous building experience is definitely recommended as there is quite a bit of cutting, gluing, and sanding involved with the construction of this kit.

The instructions for this kit were fairly simple to understand but since they were printed in both English and French, I had to look for the English text. The illustrations were rather helpful and helped make up for what some of the text lacked. Personally, I would like to see the French text eliminated in kits shipped to the US.

The construction begins with the assembling of the motor mount and joining the two main body tubes together. I then cut out the tube marking guide and marked the six lines for the ribs. Next, I fine sanded both fin sheets and cut out all the ribs and fins.

I attached the ribs to the body tube. Prepare to spend some time carefully aligning the ribs as shown or the main tube coupler might not fit properly. Although not mentioned in the instructions, I applied a glue fillet on both sides of each rib for additional strength.

After the ribs were fully dry, I test fitted the coupler and got an excellent fit. I then applied glue to each rib and slid the coupler in place. I recommend letting it dry for at least an hour or so before proceeding.

I cut out both BT-50 tube cutting patterns and attached one to each tube. For an easier alignment, I drew an alignment line on each tube. Make sure that the curved portion of each pattern is placed flush with the ends of the tubes for a proper cut. I then cut the tubes to shape and fine sanded the ends.

After making sure the main coupler was fully dry, I glued the side tubes into place as instructed. Be prepared to spend some time on this step to insure proper alignment.

I fine sanded the fins and sanded the root edges into a wedge shape. This must be done or the fins will not fit properly between the tubes. I glued the main fins into place. After they were fully dry, I flipped the model over and glued the two lower fins into place. The main launch lug is then glued into place on the left side of the model between the lower fin and the tube. I applied glue fillets to the fins and launch lug for strength.

I now assembled the laser cannons. They are assembled by marking each small lug 1/4" from one end, applying glue up to the mark and inserting them into the larger lugs up to the 1/4" mark. I then attached the laser cannons to the two main fins as instructed and applied fillets to keep them firmly attached.

Now it is time to install the motor mount, I noticed the rings are a rather loose fit so definitely do not skimp on the glue here. I then applied glue to both ends of the motor mount to keep it firmly in place.

I cut out the shock cord mount and assembled it. After it dried, I glued it into place in the body tube. I then assembled the parachute and set it aside until after finishing.

I decided to balance the model at this time, I installed a C6-3 motor in the mount, located the CG and swing tested the model. I did end up having to add nose weight to the nose cone to insure in flight stability. However, there is no nose weight included in the kit. I ended up using some modeling clay that I had.

PROS: Builds rather quickly and in a logical order.

CONS: No nose weight included, instructions could have been better.

Finishing:
I prepped the model for finishing by sanding everything smooth. I wet sanded the nose cone to insure proper paint adhesion. I sprayed the model with Krylon gray primer and sanded between coats. I then sprayed the model with about three light coats of Krylon gloss black. After letting the model dry for a few days, I masked off the model and nose cone and painted the laser cannon barrels and nose cone canopy with Testor's silver enamel.

After all the paint was dry, I applied the decals. The decals are not pre-cut and must be cut out prior to applying. I then attached the parachute and shock cord to the nose cone to finish the model.

PROS: Easy to finish, futuristic design offers several possible paint schemes.

CONS: None.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
The recommended motors for this kit is the B6-2 and the C6-3. Since this kit is rather heavy for it's size, I would only use the short delays. To prep the rocket for flight, I inserted the motor with ignitor in the mount and the retention hook holds it in place. I then inserted about 6-7 sheets of Estes wadding into the body tube. I always use a bit more wadding than recommended to insure that the parachute is well protected from the motor's ejection charge.

For the first flight, I used a C6-3. The model lifted off rather slowly but straight and climbed to maybe 300-350 feet and deployed the chute right at apogee and returned safely.

On the second flight, I used another C6-3. It was another nice liftoff with a slight arc due to rod angle and climbed in a gentle arc to maybe 250-300 feet. The ejection charge went off with the vengeance of a very loud pop. After clearing the tube, the parachute immediately turned inside out and the model fell flat and landed in dirt with no damage. Post flight inspection revealed that the chute had just turned inside out and was not damaged in any way. I'm sure glad I used the extra wadding.

PROs: Flies great, a very stable rocket with nose weight.

CONs: Needed nose weight, I wouldn't recommend flying the rocket without it.

Recovery:
This rocket uses an 18 inch parachute for recovery. It is sized correctly for the model and allows it to return safely with minimal swaying and drift.

PROs: Recovers great on stock chute.

CONs: None.

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
I really liked this kit. I was really impressed with it's futuristic spaceship styling but I would only recommend it if you've built several kits and/or a different Sunward kit or two to understand the instructions. I think this model would really benefit from either an 18mm composite D motor if built strong enough or a 24mm motor mount for Estes D12 motors as the C6-3 only reached altitudes between 250-350 feet and I don't think the B6-2 would get much over 100 feet. It would make a great small field flyer with the stock 18mm mount. At around $21.99, I thought the price was a bit high at first but after all, there is about 30 parts included in the kit.

Main PROs: Logical construction, great parts fit, uses high quality components throughout.

Main CONs: Instructions could use some improvement, nose weight was needed but not included with the kit.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5