Priced at under $5.00, this is a low cost model rocket kit that looks great for its price. When it sits on the launch pad, it looks like it means business. If you like large/over-sized, forward fins, you'll almost certainly love the way the Anti-Tank Weapon looks. The different shape of the nose cone, water-slide decals and choice of color complete the look. According to the face card, it can fly over 1,000 feet. Since this is a small, minimum diameter, rocket which can be flown on C rocket motors, it likely goes quite a bit over 1,000 feet. This skill level 1 flying model rocket is very easy to build and great for beginners new to building kits. Instructions are clear, easy-to-follow and detailed. Many illustrations are added to avoid confusion. Even when it comes to finishing, instructions are provided as to exactly what paint to use and how many coats to apply to the ATW rocket.

Parts List

The ATW model kit comes in the usual plastic bag with color face card.

- body tube with engine block
- yellow spacer tube
- plastic nose cone with base
- 4 die-cut balsa fins
- launch lug
- streamer
- elastic shock cord
- shock cord mount (to cut out)
- water-slide decals
- instructions

To build the Anti-Tank Weapon, you'll also need plastic cement, glue, pencil, ruler and a hobby knife. Model rocket engines and other launch supplies are not included.

Construction

As this is a minimum-diameter rocket (rocket motor fits right inside the body tube), there's no need to build an engine mount. Start by marking the fin positions on the body tube and use the yellow spacer tube to insert the engine block into the body tube.

Cut out the shock cord mount and attach the shock cord to it. Glue the assembly into the body tube. Cut out the fins with a hobby knife (to avoid the balsa from splitting) and attach them to the body tube. Attach the launch lug.

Use plastic cement to secure the nose cone base to the nose cone. Once the cement dries, attach the other end of the shock cord to the base. Attach the streamer to the shock cord and create glue fillets for the four fins.

Measurements

The ATW measures 11" (29.7 cm) long with a diameter of 0.736" (18.7 mm) and weighs 0.65 oz (18.5 g) according to the face card.

Finishing

As mentioned earlier, details on how to finish the ATW are included which is not always the case with rocket kits. You'll be told exactly where to mask off the body tube, what paint to use and how many coats.

The instructions say to use sanding sealer to fill the fins. Instead, Elmer's Wood Filler (watered-down) was used to fill the fins. This is merely a matter of personal preference.

The instructions also call for flat white and olive spray paint (no primer). I went with one coat of Rust-Oleum automotive primer and for paint, used what was on-hand, which was Krylon gloss white and Krylon drab olive.

There are more decals than shown in the face card. As it was unclear where the others went, they were not applied. The left-overs are generic and easily be used on this or other model rockets.

Flight Data

According to Custom Rocket Co, the ATW can be used with a variety of rocket engines, including 1/2A6-2, A8-3, B4-4, B6-6, C6-5 and C6-7.

For the first flight, a C6-5 was selected. It was a rainy day and not sunny at all. The rocket went up very nice and straight. The ejection charge fired and for a brief moment, the streamer could be seen. That was the last that was seen of the streamer and the rocket. It was not found.