This rocket kit looks like it might be constructed out of sophisticated molded parts that require expensive production tooling. But actually, it uses traditional rocket parts as you'd find in any rocket kit. That's why it has such an attractive price. But the difference between the elegant LexxJet and a plain-looking rocket is the way the pieces are arranged.

The Dynastar LexxJet kit was designed by Shrox, who creates some unique designs (like the Snarky and the FireFox-SHX kits) that can be built using traditional rocket materials. Shrox has always attempted to make kits that don't need a lot of specialty parts. He likes things that can be easily scaled up or down, so modelers can make several different versions of the same kit.

The LexxJet succeeds at combining simplistic shapes with style, don't you think?

Like all the DynaStar brand kits, the LexxJet uses the highest quality parts that make building much faster and easier. This really begins with the kit instructions. While most manufacturers skim over the assembly instructions, you'll get lots of detailed drawings to go with the text. You'll pick up a lot of new construction skills by building this kit just because of the instructions are so detailed. This will make your next rocket easier to build too.

Plastic Nose Cone - The BT-70 size nose cone requires no finishing other than a coat of paint. Its 5:1 ogive shape is very efficient for high speed rocket flights. The kit actually comes with two nose cones! The second one is converted to a drag-reducing boattail by cutting off the tip and the base (for more information, please click here).

Laser-cut balsa wood fins - There is a lot of wood in this kit. Three separate sheets of it to be exact. You're getting a lot of kit parts for your investment.

To make the rocket easier to put together, most of the balsa wood parts have tabs and cut-outs on them. They fit together like a jigsaw puzzle, and are actually stronger than a simple butt joint. But to create this precision fit, the wood had to be cut with a special laser. It is more expensive than die-cutting, but for a great looking kit like this, it is worth it.

Balsa wood was choosen for the fin material because is very lightweight and can be airfoiled by sanding, to reduce the drag forces on the kit. This makes the rocket zoom higher and faster into the sky. You'll like that, right?

Colorful pressure-sensitive decals - There are actually five colors of ink on these decals. The base color of what is applied before all the other colors. This was done to allow you to put the decals down over a dark paint, and allows them to stand out bright and visible.

Why pressure sensitive? Because sticker decals are faster to apply to the rocket, which allows you to get flying sooner.

Premium Quality Body Tubes - The tubes are thin-wall to reduce weight, but are pleny strong for this model. The surface is slick and smooth, which makes marking lines on them easy. Painting is also a breeze, since the spirals are tight and require little filling.

The large 32" diameter plastic parachute that comes with the kit, brings the rocket down slowly for a nice soft touchdown. The canopy on the parachute is a colorful black and yellow, which is easy to see in the sky, and when it lands on the grass. You'll also find that the chute has tear-proof adhesive rings that reinforce the points on the canopy where the shroud lines attach. These greatly strengthen the parachute canopy, making it practically impossible to damage the parachute. Because this is a big rocket, the parachute is an octagon shape, instead of being a hexigon. Therefore, it has two more suspension lines, meaning it can carry a heavier rocket down to the ground.

Die-Cut Cardstock Centering Rings. We use premium quality cardstock for our centering rings. This saves weight and keeps the cost of the kit low. You like that, don't you?

Spring-steel engine retainer clips allow you to swap out engines between flights in just milli-seconds. It is really that fast!

Large 1/4 inch Launch Lug - Because this is a bigger model, you'll have a larger lug on the side of the rocket. This is used with mid-power size launch rods, to stabilize the rocket so it doesn't sway in the wind prior to launch.

The model also comes with a high-strength, Kevlar^® Shock Cord. Kevlar is six times stronger than steel, and is also fire proof. It can easily withstand the high heat of ejection, ensuring the rocket descends as a single piece. This makes for a very durable rocket that can be launched again and again.

This is rated as a Skill-Level 4 rocket because it takes a bit more finesse to assemble than other rockets.

The big reason this is a skill level 4 rocket is that the back ends of the simulated jet engines are created by cutting the ends of the body tube at an angle. This is tricky and requires a steady hand to hold the hobby knife. The instructions give you some guidance on how to do it, but we also recommend watching our YouTube video on cutting large diameter tubes.

This is a brand of rockets dedicated to making exciting and unique rockets that use mid-power motors (sizes: D, E, and F).

It comes from Apogee Components, but is compeltely separate. That means they will be available in local hobby stores and internet sites soon. But if you can't wait that long, you can order right now here on this web site.

Tools needed to assemble this rocket kit:

Note: These items are NOT included with this kit. They can be purchased at a hardware store or hobby shop.

Q. Can I put rocket engines in the back end of the jet engines?

A. We don't recommend it. But then again, we would love to sell you a new rocket kit to replace the one you're going to crash.

Q. What launch pad should I use to launch this rocket kit?

A. Since this is a big rocket, you'll need very stable launch pad. We offer a couple of choices: the Aerotech Mantis Launch Pad (our first choice because it is the "deluxe" model), and the Estes Porta Pad-E (rudimentary but adequate).

Q. What launch controller can I use to ignite the motors?

A. We offer two different controllers that can be used for mid-power size rockets. The Aerotech Interlock and the Pratt Hobbies GO-BOX Controller.

Q. I need help selecting motors. What should I do?

A. Watch this YouTube video.

Q. Instead of picking motors from the above chart, can you teach me how to do it myself?

A. Yes. We encourage you to learn the proper motor selection technique. Please watch our YouTube video that will walk you step-by-step through the process (click here).

To see how the Dynastar LexxJet rocket looks and performs with each motor configuration, download the FREE RockSim design file (click here). This file can be opened with RockSim 9 (click here). Both Windows and Macintosh versions are available.

Are you new to rocketry? Do you think you know what happens when you launch your rocket? Now you can learn about the events that occur as your rocket is launched into the air. So when you launch your rocket, you'll be prepared and you'll be able to show off your knowledge to observers watching your rocket. This article also gives you links to other references that will give you even more background information about rocketry, so you can become a true rocket scientist and expert.

"I've been involved in rocketry off-and-on for 40 years from Estes, Centuri and now Apogee. Apogee has the most to offer for historical items as in the Saturn V and Saturn 1B. I am teaching my children about the space program, and you have the best and affordable selection to date." -- Steve Hunt