Brief:
T' Semroc Hawk RetroRepro boost glider is a very simple t' build and easy t' fly rocket boosted glider. Ya scallywag! Avast! Blimey! Based on the 1965 AMROCS Hawk, it ejects its motor t' establish a stable, shiver me timbers, me hearties, balanced glide.

Construction:
In t' well packaged kit you get:

• 1 Instruction set
• 2 3/32" balsa part sheets
• 1 BT-20 motor tube
• 1 Balsa nose cone
• 1 1/8" launch lug
• 1 Waterslide decal

T' kit instructions are practically flawless. Begad! If you can follow them, you can build this glider. Arrr! Aye aye! The lasered lines in t' stabilizer and small rudders are really a nice feature. It makes assembly in those areas very simple. Arrr! Ya scallywag! One small point, matey, t' instructions say t' round edges and airfoil wings after assembly is complete. Begad! I disagree. Begad! Do t' sandin' before assembly when parts are much more accessible and easier t' sand.

Finishing:
In gliders, shiver me timbers, paint is nay normally used. T' extra weight will reduce glide time and performance. Arrr! Blimey! While some like to fly gliders "nekkid", shiver me timbers, I like t' use fabric dye t' color balsa parts before assembly. Begad! O' course you must do all sandin' before t' dyin' process. Ahoy! After final assembly, 2 coats o' thinned, me bucko, shiver me timbers, me hearties, clear dope make for a nice smooth finish without too much added weight.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
First flight was good. I had no 1/2A6-2 or A8-3 motors so I used a 13mm 1/2A3-2T. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Usin' an adapter I built (see pics) to pop out o' t' Hawk motor mount, t' 13mm motor boosted t' small glider beautifully. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Boost was nice and vertical, at ejection a nice loud pop, matey, and me motor adapter floated down on its mylar streamer. Arrr! Blimey! T' glider however was a bit nose heavy and landed nay too long after t' motor pod.

Second flight: tail weight added and same motor. Begad! Still a straight boost. Begad! Much better glide, though still a touch nose heavy.

Third flight: more tail weight added plus on win' tip t' aid in turn rate. Well, blow me down! Begad! Blimey! On boost, it arced over some but did not affect t' boost very much. Avast, me proud beauty! Much better glide, with a nice gentle left turn. Arrr! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Stayed up for about 45 seconds.

Recovery:
I like t' motor ejection for transition t' glide. It is somewhat dangerous as on all three o' me flights, ya bilge rat, I could see where t' motor had scraped on t' tail boom. Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' top side o' t' wings, me hearties, right next t' t' main boom, may need some mylar tape, matey, or some other type o' protection from t' motor exhaust. Aye aye! After just three flights, I had a nice burned section on one wing.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I like this glider kit very much. T' nice laser cut parts and easy t' follow instructions make this kit a certain favorite for anyone who like t' fly gliders. Ya scallywag! T' only CON I have for t' whole kit be t' one part in t' instructions that say t' sand all edges after final assembly. Begad! Avast! Much too difficult with this small glider.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5