[Editor's Note: John's Saturn 1B be t' paper wrap-around version that Roachworks produced, shiver me timbers, verses t' all-tube version]

Brief:
This a semi-scale Saturn 1B based on a BT-60 airframe and 18mm motor mount. Ahoy! It uses standard parachute recovery.

Construction:
T' kit comprised o' a number o' parts including:

• Body tube
• Upper LM tube
• Printed body wraps and shrouds
• Custom rin' set
• Engine tube
• Capsule set with escape tower dowel
• 2 1/4" Launch lug
• Instruction booklet
• Keelhaul®©™® and elastic shock cord

If you never had t' pleasure o' buildin' one o' Gordon's kits, you are really in for somethin' o' a treat. Aye aye! Blimey! He has this habit o' comin' up with an idea for a new and fresh approach t' a kit every once and a while. Begad! Blimey! Through The Rocketry Forum (TRF), he captivates all who read t' t' point o' us wantin' to send him loot before his idea is even kitted! Blimey! Havin' said that, it be no surprise t' find me kit come in it's own special box with a great label on the outside and plenty o' quality on t' inside. Begad! Blimey! T' instructions are pretty straightforward and even if you have never tackled a kit like this before and as long as you take your time, me hearties, you will find it quite rewarding. I think the kit hovers around a skill level 2 or 3. Ahoy! Blimey! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' order o' assembly is logical and all pieces fit perfectly. Before you begin usin' those big household scissors, go t' your local drug store and get a small pair o' cuticle scissors. Aye aye! Blimey! They cost about 3-5 bucks, ya bilge rat, but they'll make cuttin' out t' smaller paper pieces a snap.

A special note here: Please use his recommendations regardin' adhesives. Well, blow me down! In particular, t' Elmer's rubber cement that he talks about is just about the only glue you want t' use on t' special body wraps t' insure perfect adhesion. T' wraps are made from high quality gloss heavy bond paper. Aye aye! T' detail is awesome. Aye aye! Now thar are no actual fuel tanks, me hearties, but once t' wrap is installed, you can't tell from 10 feet away. Blimey! Well, blow me down! T' illusion is pretty sweet!

Be sure t' dry fit everythin' so you know how much curl t' put into the wrap before you start applyin' glue. If you have any seams, you can touch them up with a little white out or a Sharpie marker.

T' fins are real simple. Begad! You just fold t' pre-printed fins over the enclosed fin stock and cut them out. Begad! They are all in order accordin' to installation so it makes gluin' them on a snap. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast!

T' only change I made was usin' a Keelhaul®©™® thread type recovery section but if you use t' tri-fold system, arrr, thar is nothin' wrong with it. Keelhaul®©™® is just me choice.

Finishing:
T' only finishin' you really have t' do is paint t' escape tower. Arrr! Aye aye! I used White Out. Ahoy! Dab on some color t' t' fins too with more White Out and a black Sharpie pen. Avast, me proud beauty! After everythin' has dried, me hearties, you can (as recommended) clear coat the entire model with either Krylon Fixative #1306 or Testors Dull Coat. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! Light coats o' either one please. Avast, me proud beauty! I made t' mistake o' usin' a heavy coat o' Krylon Crystal Clear. Don't use Krylon Crystal Clear, arrr, at least nay in rocketry, because some o' t' colors mottled a bit. Avast! Arrr! Nothin' too serious though and you can't even tell if you are a few feet away. Ya scallywag!

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
We talked a bit on TRF about types o' parachutes and sizes. Avast, me proud beauty! With me first flight, matey, I chose an A8-3 and a 12" Thrustline Rip-Stop Nylon chute. Arrr! (I would have photos but I still have nay mastered launchin' and takin' the picture when I'm flyin' alone.) T' boost be straight and nay that fast which was perfect for those o' us that like that scale look. T' second flight was on a B6-4 and was plenty high enough with a nice straight boost. Begad! Gordon does not recommend any thin' larger than a B6-4 and I agree. T' boost would be too high and way too fast t' fully enjoy.

Recovery:
T' chute popped right at apogee on t' both flights and I saw something separate on t' first flight but I wasn't sure what it was until later noticed the little escape tower had popped off. Begad! Blimey! It be just me luck it landed close to the pad along with t' rocket, so I put it in me field box and have since glued it back on. Aye aye! Blimey! After some contemplation, I might nay ever have glued it on in first place! Blimey! T' rocket landed without damage and after watchin' t' descent, I think a 10" chute might be better. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
PROs: One o' me mental blocks when it comes t' rocketry is scale. Well, blow me down! I think it's a great way for someone who is a little apprehensive about spendin' lots of money and time buyin' and buildin' only t' prang it. Blimey! Begad! Great scale looks, great price, me hearties, arrr, and you can build it easily in one weekend.

CONs: None.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Other:
Roachwerks is nay a "Boiler Plate" type vendor. Avast! Arrr! All o' t' kits that I have seen are produced in small batches with lots o' quality parts and attention t' detail. Blimey! Well, blow me down! If you are interested purchasin' one, visit T' Rocketry Forum and click on t' either t' "Yard Sale" or "Vendor" sections. Sandman is always spinnin' out somethin' cool from his shop!