Review

Hyperon, F-32 Avenger by Tim Kidwell and Jim Haught

Those familiar with model rockets won't be surprised by the contents of Starlight Model Rocket's Hyperon's package: a balsa nosecone and laser-cut fins, cardboard body tube, shock cord, a chrome Mylar streamer, string, sticker decal and assembly instructions. Starlight's F-32 Avenger is an advanced kit, and while it has the balsa nosecone and fins like the Hyperon, it also contains water-slide decals, a Mylar parachute and miscellaneous parts for a more aggressive looking rocket.

Hyperon is a small rocket, meant for high flights and quick recovery. Its design is very straightforward, with a little twist in that it has a cardboard ring fin that encircles the three balsa fins. The Avenger, while not a huge rocket, is heavier than the Hyperon and won't fly as high. Among its many building challenges is an asymmetrical fin design that makes it look a lot like a sci-fi fighter, with dowels on the wing edges representing wing-mounted cannons.

One thing that impressed us about both kits is that Starlight has pre-marked where the fins and launch lug should be glued - a definite bonus for model rocketry newcomers and a handy aid for experienced builders. On the other hand, the instructions for both left a lot to be desired. While most people could deal with the photocopy- print quality, the diagrams are more like pencil scribbles.

Does this affect the build? Not for an experienced modeler. However, it might challenge a novice. The shortcomings are particularly apparent in the Avenger's instructions, with some missed building steps leaving the builder to muddle through as best he can.

Hyperon's ring fin did present a minor challenge. Recommend that customers use a medium cyanoacrylate (CA) glue to attach it, since CA will dry quickly, speeding up this portion of the build. Also, customers should make sure to use plenty of glue when inserting the engine mount into the tube.

The Avenger's decals were probably the most frustrating part of the build. They were very thin and brittle. The red wing stripes needed touching up with paint; the cockpit decal shattered so badly that it couldn't be used. However, both rockets fly like champs and look cool on the launch pad. Hyperon's streamer does an adequate job of slowing the rocket down on descent, and the Avenger's chute makes it easy to spot in the air.