The Kestrel is one of the strongest T1 frigate and one of the easiest to fly, with a lot of tank, no problem for tracking (allowing it to fly for mitigation against turrets) and very good DPS. The shield buffer variant is fast and tanky but only has a single web, requiring the use of faction rockets against other afterburning frigates. For the rat in the plexes use rage for maximum DPS.
High Power
4 x Rocket Launcher II
Medium Power
1 x 1MN Monopropellant Enduring Afterburner
1 x Medium Shield Extender II
1 x Fleeting Compact Stasis Webifier
1 x Faint Epsilon Scoped Warp Scrambler
Low Power
1 x Damage Control II
1 x Ballistic Control System II
Rig Slot
1 x Small EM Shield Reinforcer I
1 x Small Thermal Shield Reinforcer I
1 x Small Warhead Calefaction Catalyst II
Cargo Hold
1000 x Mjolnir Rage Rocket
1000 x Nova Rage Rocket
400 x Caldari Navy Mjolnir Rocket
400 x Caldari Navy Inferno Rocket
400 x Caldari Navy Nova Rocket