Estes Citation Patriot, #000652 Build, Part 2, More Parts

It doesn't look like Estes is using spring steel engine hooks anymore. This one was bent and did not spring back.

For me, it's useless. Every time an engine is inserted you could  bend the hook away from the engine casing. After a while there isn't strong retention and the engine could eject. I switched it out for a BMS engine hook with no finger tab.

The balsa was dense!
I've never seen a knot in kit balsa before. It was along the leading edge of one of the fins.

The laser didn't cut through the knot. It took a few passes with a sharp knife to free the fin.

GOTCHA: There is one goof in the kit.
Above the gold PATRIOT is a white Estes logo.

This decal scan was copied from the older kit scan on JimZ's. The Estes logos are on the far right and the far left of the word PATRIOT. This is correct.

The new kit decals have the Estes name on the right side of both Patriot decals. Not a deal breaker, but it will require careful cutting and repositioning of one Estes logo to better fit the fin shape.