Brief:
2 Parasite Gliders lofted by an easy to build rocket.

Construction:
The rocket parts include two body tubes, plastic fincan halves, fins, launch lug and nosecone. The recovery system consists of a pre-made plastic parachute, and an elastic shock cord. The gliders are made from foam parts, each with a plastic launch hook and a set of decals. The foam wings have two adhesive strips on them that are use in the assembly of the gliders.

Assembly is quick and easy. The two motor mount halves are glued together. Then following the header card picture, the fins and launch lug are glued onto the fincan, and the lower body tube is glued into place. After the glue sets, the tube coupler is glued onto the top of the lower body tube. It is important to align the launch lug on the tube coupler with the lug on the fincan. Then the upper body tube is glued on the top of the tube coupler. The shock cord is attached to the rocket using the standard glue-and-fold paper method. The parachute is pre-made, but put a dab of glue on each not to prevent them from becoming undone.

The Gliders are made of foam. The launch hooks of the gliders are glued into to the foam bodies with white glue. Then the fuselage decals are applied, care has to be given, since the decals can only be applied once. Using a knife, the slots for the vertical stabilizer are cut into the decal. The stabilizer is then glued onto the body. The decals for the wings are applied, and then folded to give the wing the right angle. Do not fold them to much (the instructions recommendation is to much) because the wings will crack. Once the desired angle is achieved, the backing on the adhesive is removed. Attaching the wings is easy.

Finishing:
Since the rocket already has its decals in place for you and the gliders decals are applied during assemble, there is really no finishing stage of this rocket. The only problem I see is the gliders loosely hang from the side of the rocket. This may cause premature deployment of the gliders. They should have some support on the boosters fins so the gliders wings have something to rest upon.

Construction Rating: 4 ½ out of 5

Flight:
Because of the snow, I did not have the opportunity to properly trim the gliders. I knew that they we too nose heavy, and no amount of adjusting the elevators was going to fix that. The glider needed some clay to add to the tail. On the first of March, I got the opportunity to fly the rocket. I went over to Phillip Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH to witness their Team America Challenge flights. Besides their two challenge flights, we also flew some regular rockets. I loaded my Shuttle with a B6-4. There was the problems of the gliders blowing around on the booster while the rocket sat on the launch pad. Once I adjusted the rocket so the gliders would not sway, the countdown commenced and the rocket shot off with a B6-4. Very nice flight, but as predicted, the gliders nose dived into the snow. When warmer weather comes, I plan to properly trim the gliders using clay, and I may add something to the fins to prevent the gliders from swaying on the booster.

Flight Rating: 2 ½ out of 5

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out of 5

Brief:
The modern, E2X reincarnation of the ARV Condor, this kit is a quick, easy build and eye-catching design. At apogee, (2) separate gliders break free to circle the field while the main rocket eases down under chute.

Construction:
The 2003 Estes line seems to be carefully packed, with each body tube enclosed in plastic. The nose cone is an unusual appearance, with a raised canopy and a duct area underneath. The fins are plastic, rugged enough to handle C's. The motor retention compartment is a 2-piece plastic housing with a quick release cap. Shuttles are made from pre-cut styrofoam (1-piece) wings, fuselage, and hook. Shock cord is standard Estes 1/8", and way too short.

The package boasts of total build time in under an hour, and most modelers will find that to be true. The parts fit very well, and the directions were easy to follow.

Pros-fit and finish. The body tubes come fully detailed (decals already on). The only "assembly" work is the motor retention compartment, gluing on the plastic fins, and mounting the shock cord. A very nice plus is that the Estes chutes seem to be all pre-assembled this year.

Cons-Gluing the styrofoam glider parts together is a bit messy, especially the rudder, which is glued in after placing a decal over the top of the fuselage. The decal was also a bit tricky, as you're supposed to cut a slot in it after putting it on the fuselage, and the slot you cut is supposed to line up with the now-covered slot on the fuselage. Trimming the gliders is weak, as the ailerons are pre-cut into the styrofoam, and don't tend to stay flexed for very long.

I'd also gladly pay an extra dime or so if Estes would get rid of the 1/8" elastic shock cords that might last 3-4 flights, and replace them with 1/4" or even Kevlar®.

Finishing:
This is a very nice looking rocket/shuttle combo. Very little finishing work is required at all.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
First flight was under perfect conditions (72 degrees, winds under 5 mph, we only get about 3 of these days a year in Ohio). I flew it on a B4-4. Straight up flight, slight spin, deployed right at apogee. Gliders seemed to stick for a second or two, then broke loose. #1 came down very fast & steep, #2 seemed better trimmed and circled a bit on the way down, but still had a somewhat steep decent. Everything was recovered safely within about 50 yards of the pad.

Recovery:
As mentioned, trimming the gliders is difficult, as the styrofoam tends to have a "memory". I definitely refer the ARV condor's gliders to these foam gliders.

Flight Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:
This is a great introduction to boost gliders. Fast, easy, and neat appearance. For the experienced modeler, the gliders will be a bit disappointing.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5