SpaceX Falcon 9 Model Rocket Kit

Excellent kit that looks just as good on display as it does in flight. My son and I assembled it in a very short time, instructions are detailed and simple and the pieces are printed with nearly perfect tolerances.

Fun kits. They can be delicate. I inserted a cardstock tube into the booster section. I think what happens is that the ejection charge heats up the plastic causing the tube to slightly buckle when it hits the ground. The fins break every time which is easily fixed with 5 minute epoxy.

It's a bit surprising to see that there hasn't been a previous review on this kit, but it is what it is. So, here goes - this was my first kit purchase from Max-Q. I first began flying model rockets in the mid-'70s, building traditional paper body tube/balsa fins models. Since I've also been a styrene plastic scale modeler, the Max-Q Falcon 9 didn't present any difficulties in assembling. Due to arthritis affecting my hand grip strength, I had some struggle ensuring that the engine retainer was sufficiently tightened. I plan to fabricate a specialized tool to help. On launch day, I used a lower-power D engine. The model's flight path mimicked the ascent and turning arc that the real Falcon does. Parachute deployment went perfectly. The only negative was that the model was oscillating a bit just before touchdown, and one of the translucent flight fins cracked markedly. I might have been able to get away with a second flight that day, but elected not to. Don't let my imperfect experience deter you - this is an excellent-quality, good-flying kit, and if you like SpaceX and the Falcon rocket, I predict you'll like flying this model very much. I have a payload fairing version ready to build for this year's flying season, and I do plan to buy a Falcon Heavy kit in the future. Clear skies and good flights!