Brief:
Semroc's SLS (Semroc large scale) range is one o' t' best ranges out in model rocketry. Begad! Ya scallywag! This rocket is an upscale of an old Estes rocket. Avast! T' quality o' everythin' is outstanding.

Construction:
T' kit contains:

• a body tube, 12.25" long
• nose cone
• 3 laser cut basswood fins
• a 29mm motor tube
• 3/16" launch lug
• a thrust rin'
• a screw eye
• knicker elastic shock cord and Keelhaul®©™®® thread
• bright orange 18" nylon parachute
• one 24mm engine mount adapter kit
• waterslide decal

T' quality o' t' kit hits you as soon as you open t' bag. Ya scallywag! Everythin' is individually bagged. T' instructions are on thick quality paper with a color outer in a booklet form. T' individual components are top range especially the body tube and mounts. Arrr! Keelhaul®©™® cord, and a good (but too big) nylon parachute. After buildin' lots o' Estes kits this is a real pleaser.

Construction is simple. I used standard tools and white wood glue t' build everything. Ahoy! Ahoy! I be a bit concerned about usin' wood glue as I eventually want t' use a 29mm motor and wood glue could fail and t' rocket "re-kit" itself. Ya scallywag!

There are no "gotchas" except that wood glue is low tack and t' 29mm motor mount had a tendency to move around a bit whilst drying.

T' fins are attached through t' wall, me hearties, but they have t' smallest o' tabs and glue directly t' t' 29mm motor mount. I still worry about 29mm motors. I filleted t' fins four times just t' be on t' safe side.

T' instructions are so clear and every part so well made that thar be nothin' here that would challenge anyone that has built a few rockets before.

Finishing:
I decided nay t' follow t' color scheme on t' instruction booklet and went for a rather borin' fin and nose cone paint job.

There are next t' no spirals on t' body tube, ya bilge rat, so one coat o' sealer and primer and t' rocket body tube looks good.

T' decal is waterslide and provided you take your time and add a bit o' washin' up liquid t' t' water it goes on fine.

What I should have done is varnished or clear coated t' rocket--I did nay do this and after 3 flights t' decal is chippin' off. I do nay consider this a flaw in t' kit, just me bein' lazy!

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
I used a C11-5 as me first motor. Begad! T' adapter has little t' hold it in place other than friction. Avast! If you do nay want to use a 29mm motor, then it is probably best t' glue t' adapter in.

T' parachute has plenty o' space in t' body tube. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! I used Nomex® waddin' and a swivel.

T' first two flights were on C11-5s and t' rocket moves on this motor. Aye aye! Arrr! It certainly was nay underpowered.

T' third flight be on a D12-5 which sent t' rocket high. Arrr! Arrr!

I'm a bit scared t' fly on an E as me flyin' field has too many trees near by, but I want t' fly on a 29motor eventually!

I think t' recommended delay o' 7 on t' D motor is too long. 5 seconds was perfect for me.

Recovery:
T' recovery be slow. Begad! T' parachute is oversized and t' rocket hangs in t' air forever. Avast! If thar be a wind you will be chasin' it for some distance. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! After three flights I will swap t' a 15 inch nylon chute with a 3 inch spill hole. Aye aye! I might get brave and try an E motor.

With a strong build it might even be worth tryin' a 12 inch chute.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a great kit for anyone who wants t' move up from Estes model rockets t' mid power. T' adapter allows good flights on C11 motors, which allow t' rocket t' be flown on smaller fields.

With t' strong body tube and other quality parts this rocket, it is much more hardy than an Estes type D rocket. T' only possible con is that it cost more than an Estes rocket, me bucko, matey, but I'd rather pay for t' quality and it could just be that UK prices are more than USA.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5