Brief:
This be t' new Semroc A10-0T booster unit for t' Centurion, Vega, and Goliath rockets. Arrr! It is meant for existing, single stage rockets usin' t' ST-16 (old Centuri style) body tubes. Ya scallywag! It will be interestin' t' stage a 13mm booster t' a 18mm sustainer. Begad! I've never used a lower powered booster (A10) with a higher powered sustainer (B6 or C6, a A8 is also listed as a sustainer engine).

Construction:
T' booster kit consists of:

• 1 Body Tube ST-825
• 1 Engine Tube ST-520E
• 1 Rin' Coupler HTC-16S
• 1 Rin' Set CR-EM-516
• 1 Engine Hook EH-18
• 1 Shroud Sheet IEM-516B

All parts are pretty much standard except for t' centerin' rings. Well, blow me down! T' laser cuts are tight and clean. Well, blow me down! T' centerin' rings for t' ST-5 series engine tube have eight elliptical holes cut into them. Well, blow me down! I would assume this is for ventin' while staging. Read through t' directions before building. With two shrouds and four centerin' rings, me bucko, me hearties, take it slow and follow directions.

I reinforced all t' tube ends with Super Glue.

STEP 3: I sanded t' tube coupler's ends flat and square with a sandin' block. Well, blow me down! I wanted t' (slightly) increase t' gluin' surface.

STEP 5: T' small centerin' rings (with t' eight holes) fit too loosely on t' 5 series engine tube. Aye aye! Blimey! I build up t' inside edge o' t' rin' with some "rings" o' white glue. Avast! Blimey! T' instructions suggest usin' CA t' glue them in place. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' instructions suggest: "Make sure t' keep glue out o' t' holes". Ya scallywag! Blimey! You would have t' use a Teflon tube out t' front o' your CA bottle t' control t' flow. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! T' holes are very close t' t' body tube/rin' joint.

I was reluctant t' apply a thin film o' CA around t' rin' edges before punchin' out t' holes. I was afraid t' glue would get into t' holes. Aye aye! I punched out t' holes, then applied glue t' t' edges o' t' rings.

T' instructions say "A thin film o' CA around all t' rin' edges harden them and keep them from de-layering. Ya scallywag! After I easily punched out t' holes, me hearties, I noticed outside layer o' t' rin' be startin' t' peel. Well, blow me down! T' CA layer held down t' liftin' layer.

STEP 6: Says t' slide t' engine mount inside t' body tube until t' end with t' hook is even with t' body tube. Begad! T' hook will over hang slightly. Avast! It just didn't read well. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! I know they meant that t' engine tube should be even with t' outside (larger diameter) tube. Begad! T' hook overhangs more than slightly, it overhangs by 1/4".

STEP 8: Normally I hate paper shrouds. Well, matey, blow me down! Hate paper shrouds! Blimey! T' shroud material be glossy on one side and matte on t' other.

I wanted t' printed lines on t' inside, so t' glossy surface ended up on t' outside. Avast! For once, these paper shrouds glued together without any problems. Avast, me proud beauty! I pre-curled them over a thick Sharpie pen barrel. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! One thin coat o' white glue was enough for t' glue tab t' hold well.

T' paper used for t' shroud went together smoothly, me bucko, me bucko, with no bumps or bends. Arrr! But when glued together, t' seams were opposite. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! One upper-smaller shroud overlaid t' t' right, t' lower shroud tab laid t' t' left. Avast! There wasn't any other way t' correct this unless I would make one shroud with t' gloss surface out, t' other with t' matte paper side out. Ahoy! Ahoy! Nay really a big deal. Begad! But, me bucko, ya bilge rat, (on one shroud pattern) Semroc may want t' switch t' side t' tab sits on.

Both shrouds fit well. I had t' widen t' mouth o' t' larger shroud slightly t' fit over t' ST-8 main tube. Arrr! It's nay a fault o' t' shroud pattern, paper shrouds always seem t' need a little adjustment.

Finishing:
Even without paint, ya bilge rat, t' finished look is great! On me Centurion t' booster extends 1 1/4" beyond t' trailin' edges o' t' fins, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, but it still looks cool. And structurally it feels strong.

With t' gloss paper surface on t' outside, shiver me timbers, I really don't have t' paint it. Avast! Blimey! But t' exposed browned edge o' t' upper centerin' rin' will need a touch up.

I enjoyed t' build. Avast! It's nice when t' shrouds cooperate.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
With t' engines installed and t' booster unit in place, t' engines ends are separated by about 3/8". Avast! I tested t' fit with a A10-0T in t' Booster 16 and a C6-5 in me Centurion.

Summary:
PROS: A fun build and t' shrouds cooperated for once!

CONS: When built, ya bilge rat, t' shroud tabs face opposite sides. One goes t' t' right, t' other t' t' left.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5