Brief:
T' OSO is another superb Retro-Repro kit from Semroc. This rocket is based on t' original Oso kit by Flight Systems, Inc but with several improvements. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! While t' rocket appears nay much more that a 3FNC kit, it does contain a payload section and an ejection baffle. Ahoy! At a finished length o' just over 30”, t' rocket is a nice additional to anyone's fleet. Arrr! I ordered t' rocket o' t' Semroc website and it was delivered t' me home smartly and securely packaged.

Construction:
T' OSO kit is rated a skill level 1 kit from t' manufacturer. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Blimey! I would probably rate it at a 1.5 if you have never built a rocket before. Begad! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! T' instructions are easy t' follow and well organized with great illustrations. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! All the components in this kit were typical high quality material that I have come t' expect from Semroc. Ya scallywag! Blimey!

T' rocket is assembled like most other kits. Arrr! Aye aye! I built it t' stock with t' exception o' paperin' t' fins. They are quite thin and really flexible. Begad! It would be easy for them t' break durin' construction if you are nay careful. Aye aye! My only other real grip with t' construction be t' way Semroc instructs you t' mark where t' fins go on t' body. Instead o' havin' a paper wrap that fits on t' tube, me hearties, shiver me timbers, you have t' hold t' rocket securely down against t' instruction sheet fin guide t' place t' marks around t' body tube. Well, blow me down! Well, matey, blow me down! This is kind o' awkward.

T' only other thin' out o' t' ordinary be t' construction and installation o' t' baffle. T' system uses two smaller tubes and a pair o' centerin' rings t' form a chamber for t' ejection particle t' get trapped so there is no need for recovery wadding. Blimey! You will also be attached t' shock cord t' one end o' t' baffle. Ya scallywag! You must make sure that t' two centerin' rings dry symmetrically so that t' assembly will easily fit into t' main body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! The baffle needs t' be inserted into t' body tube about 4-5” from t' top o' t' tube. Be sure t' use glue that will not dry too smartly so that it can be put all t' way in place. Well, blow me down! I appreciate t' fact t' Semroc includes a long cotton swab t' be used as a glue applicator for this step. Avast! Aye aye!

Finishing:
T' finish for this rocket is quite simple. Ya scallywag! T' instructions cover how t' get a professional lookin' rocket with a little elbow grease. Avast! Begad! Since I papered t' fins and t' balsa nose cone be extremely smooth with very little wood grain ridges, I primed t' rocket with Kilz Original spray primer. Begad! Blimey! I sanded it and then applied a couple coats o' gloss white. Well, blow me down! T' color scheme in t' instructions has an optional red nose cone which I decided t' do. Arrr! Blimey! T' finish t' rocket, you apply t' decals. Semroc's decals are probably t' best I have ever worked with from a vendor. Aye aye! They go on so easy with no worries o' tears.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
This rocket can be launched on 18mm A, B, and C motors. Ya scallywag! For t' first flight I chose a B6-4. Aye aye! T' rocket went straight up off t' launch pad. Ya scallywag! T' tip o' t' rocket be pointin' down when t' parachute ejected. Ya scallywag! Begad! There be evidence that the two rocket parts snapped back into each other on ejection. Blimey! Avast! This is described in t' Recovery section o' t' review. Other than that I be very satisfied with t' flight.

Recovery:
T' rocket uses a 12" plastic parachute for recovery which is fine for this size rocket. Begad! As mentioned earlier, the baffle be t' rocket eliminates t' need for recovery wadding. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! When buildin' t' rocket I was worried about the length o' t' shock cord. Ahoy! It is about 24” long with 6” o' it used inside t' body tube. Begad! As a result from the upper body tube snappin' back into t' lower rocket tube, me hearties, thar be a dent in t' balsa coupler. Begad! Ya scallywag! This happened a second time with t' next launch too.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I like t' components, me bucko, matey, looks, and performance o' this rocket. I definitely will increase t' shock cord length before the next flight. Well, blow me down! I would recommend this t' a rocket beginner or veteran lookin' for somethin' different in a kit. Well, blow me down! The baffle allows you t' smartly prep t' rocket for t' next flight. It is well worth t' price o' $17.50.

PROs: Baffle, arrr, payload section, improved OOP kit

CONs: Shock cord length, shiver me timbers, fin markin' guide

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5