Brief:
T' V2 xKit is a reproduction o' Estes K-22, ya bilge rat, arrr, which was originally released in 1965. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Like t' original, it flies on 18mm motors and features balsa nose and tail cones. T' xKits don't come with instructions but, since they are classics, shiver me timbers, copies o' t' original instructions are available on-line. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! This was me favorite rocket as a kid, me hearties, matey, ya bilge rat, and I couldn't resist grabbin' one.

Construction:
T' parts list:

• BNC-55F balsa nose cone
• BTC-55Z balsa tail cone
• BT-55 body tube
• BT-20 motor tube
• Launch lugs (3)
• Engine block
• Washer weight
• Large screw eye
• Rubber shock cord
• Gauze for cord attachment
• Plastic parachute with separate shroud lines and tape disks.
• Laser cut balsa fins and servo pods
• Dummy casing
• Pattern sheet

T' parts provided are true t' t' original kit. Ya scallywag! T' main difference be t' fins are laser cut with both scale and semi-scale versions. Begad! Blimey! T' surface o' t' cones is nice and t' tube has almost no spirals. Well, blow me down! T' only negative be t' hole in t' tail cone is nay perfectly centered. Aye aye! This won't hurt and probably is true t' t' original. Avast! However, after seein' Semroc's other products, I be surprised.

Despite t' fact that t' xKits are recommended for expert modelers, I could have built t' kit without any. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Well, ya bilge rat, except for positionin' t' balsa servo pods and cuttin' t' extra launch lugs into t' scale turbine exhaust and pull-out plug details. If you build an xKit, be sure t' read t' online instructions and t' sheet provided with t' kit. Begad! T' provided information includes interestin' but unnecessary factoids about Estes and t' real V2 as well as a few key bits o' data. T' instructions identify t' CP for both t' provided scale and semi-scale fin sets. Ya scallywag! Also, arrr, it's noted that t' supplied washer and screw eye are sufficient for t' larger semi-scale fins, matey, but ~½oz o' additional weight is required for t' scale set (not supplied)!

T' pattern sheet includes fin patterns and fin alignment guides. Begad! T' latter have been improved from t' originals, which required that t' upper and lower guides be aligned by eyeball. Blimey! Semroc's have a flat face which allows them t' be aligned on any flat surface. Simple but a good improvement. Arrr! I opted for t' larger semi-scale fins as I'm nay a stickler and these should make sure t' rocket is stable in varied launch conditions. Well, me bucko, blow me down! T' only reason you'll need t' fin patterns is for t' placement o' t' balsa servo pods. Blimey! I merely eyeballed them.

I added a Keelhaul®©™ leader and ditched t' gauze reinforcement. I wound it around t' motor tube, matey, tacked it place with CA and then attached t' motor mount with 5-minute epoxy. Begad! Blimey! T' original kit said t' install t' motor mount so t' engine be flush with t' bottom o' t' mount. Ahoy! I opted for some overhang t' help with friction fitting. Begad! Begad! I checked stability prior t' permanently attachin' t' nose weight just in case some more was needed. Blimey! Well, blow me down! Once verified, shiver me timbers, I removed t' screw eye, filled t' hole and nose cone surface with white glue, and reattached t' weight. Blimey! Begad! I considered addin' a motor hook but decided t' keep it like t' original.

Finishing:
I used Elmer's Fill 'n' Finish t' fill t' balsa parts and then shot several coats o' primer. I laid down a base coat o' Model Masters 'modern' desert tan and added brown and olive drab camo patterns. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! It looks good from 10 feet...

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight and Recovery:
I've flown it twice. Arrr! I friction fit t' B6-4 motors and added an ample amount o' dog barf wrapped in a section o' Estes wadding. Ya scallywag! I used t' stock chute, which is typical plastic with twine and tape discs.

T' boost be nice and fast. Begad! I couldn't see for sure, shiver me timbers, arrr, ya bilge rat, but it looked like ejection was early. It recovered fine and t' combo o' Keelhaul®©™ and t' stock rubber band was sufficient t' keep t' cone from whackin' t' body. Avast! Ahoy! There wasn't a smile t' be seen (except on me face).

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is an easy t' build yet detailed little kit and it flies great!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Lift-Off Picture from NARAM Live! by Chris Taylor