Brief:

This be t' Centuri Nike Smoke (KS-15) that was offered from 1969 through 1981. It's a 1/10 scale model o' t' NASA weather rocket. Ya scallywag! Blimey! It was called a large scale kit back then. Arrr! There was a later Quest kit that had a three piece nose cone and plastic fins, ya bilge rat, me bucko, yet this be t' original with balsa fins, arrr, one piece nose cone and a coolin' baffle. Begad!

Construction:

Original package contained :

• ST-16 13" Body Tube
• PNC-167 Nose Cone (Unique for this kit)
• 18mm engine tube, hook and three piece baffle with cap
• Plastic centuri chute, shroud lines with round stickers
• Simple decals that just say "UNITED STATES"
• 1/8" balsa fin stock (4 fins)
• 1/8" launch lugs (off set t' clear nose cone)
• Very plain and clear instructions (C) 1971
• Fin alignment guide
• Rubber Band shock cord

This is a very easy t' build kit and it's coolin' baffle is unique. Well, blow me down! It takes a experienced MODROC builder about an hour while watchin' TV at t' same time. Since it's a vintage kit I have retained t' original shock cord, yet I have added a Keelhaul®©™® mount and nylon cord with a 12" red cloth chute. Ahoy!

Finishing:

Very simple t' finish. Just a coat o' white and then two UNITED STATES text decals. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Instructions suggest paintin' three o' t' fins yellow and one red, arrr, but I did nay do that. Avast, me proud beauty! A US Flag decal was added t' make it unique.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:

First flight on a B6-3 be just fine but it popped a fin at landin' (when I caught it). Ahoy! Better white glue fin fillets will be added. Ya scallywag! While t' baffle should nay required use o' wadding, a piece o' lettuce or two works fine as well. Ahoy! As this is an extremely rare vintage kit (imagine tryin' t' find another nose cone?) I probably won't be flyin' it much. Aye aye! Begad! Stronger fillets will let it see some C6-5 flights soon.

Recovery:

Impossible t' rate t' original plastic chute as it be so old I did nay use it. Ahoy! T' original chute was fine I am sure as this is nay a complicated rocket. T' cloth chute works fine and t' body tube is large enough for it. Aye aye! The original rubber band will ride in it every time but nay be used. It's mounted with an Estes type fold over mount inside t' body tube just above t' end of the baffle. Well, blow me down! Arrr! T' kevlar mount I added is through t' end o' t' baffle. Begad! Begad!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:

This be a wonderful rocket kit, shiver me timbers, big for back then and it looks nice and will perform perfectly. Begad! Blimey! A snap t' build. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! If you can find one o' these old kits, it's a great way t' go back and revisit t' early years o' model rocketry.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5