Brief:
Single stage, basic 3-fin/nose cone style that really cooks on B and C motors. If flyin' on a C, matey, be sure t' switch out t' chute for a basic streamer or you'll be faced with a really long recovery walk.

This is another Semroc Retro-Repro, which is a slight modernization o' a Centuri classic. Well, blow me down! Begad! In this case, this is based on t' 1968 Semroc kit, which was modeled after t' Estes Mark II and t' Centuri Micron. T' Semroc kit originally sold for $1.29 and now retails for $6. I got mine as a free kit when orderin' several others from t' Semroc website.

Construction:
Components were all very good quality, and included:

• Balsa nose cone with screw eye
• ST-790 body tube
• Laser cut balsa fins
• Centerin' rin' (motor block)
• Keelhaul®©™®/elastic shock cord
• 12" plastic chute
• 1/8" launch lug

T' instructions for this were typical Semroc: well written, shiver me timbers, arrr, good illustrations, and easy t' follow. This would probably be considered a skill level 1 kit as it's fairly easy t' build in a single afternoon.

This is a minimum diameter kit, so thar's no motor mount. Arrr! Instead, you simply insert a centerin' rin' into t' body tube t' serve as a motor block and that's it after tyin' t' Keelhaul®©™® cord t' t' centerin' rin' t' anchor t' recovery system.

T' fins are laser cut, so you can spend some o' t' time saved in cutting them by applyin' a little sandin' sealer t' fill t' grains instead. The instructions offer some nice tips on sealin' balsa, which is a nice old-fashioned touch in an otherwise modern kit.

Fin placement on t' tube is supported by a template printed in the instructions. Well, blow me down! I think a wrap would work a bit better and be much easier for novice builders. Well, blow me down! Avast! Also, t' fins are t' be placed flush with t' aft end o' the tube. I think movin' them forward 1/4" would be a good idea as this makes motor retention a bit easier allowin' you t' tape t' motor t' t' tube rather than only friction fit.

Tack t' launch lug t' t' tube and glue t' screw eye into t' base o' the nose cone and construction is done.

Finishing:
There are no decals for this kit, me bucko, so you can get creative with t' paint scheme if you like. Avast! I went with t' stock scheme illustrated on t' header card: green fins and cone over a white body. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! I wasn't that impressed with t' overall look and would recommend a darker base or possibly metallic paints.

I had applied me typical two primer coats, sanded it down, ya bilge rat, matey, wiped it clean, and then 2 finish coats.

For $6, I can't complain, me hearties, but I'd at least like t' see a basic decal or two with this, ya bilge rat, matey, matey, especially one that has t' rocket's name on it. When you stick an unidentified 3FNC style rocket in t' box, fair winds rememberin' what it is you're flying...

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Scramblin' for a potential entry in a set duration/45-second contest, I decided to press this into service usin' a B6-4 by substitutin' a long mylar streamer (2" x 100") rather than t' 12" chute as it was a fairly breezy day and I be flyin' on a small field.

T' Swift name probably refers t' its flight profile. This really zipped up to at least 800 feet on t' B6. Avast, me proud beauty! T' 4 second delay be a bit early (the recommended delay be a 6 and I hadn't checked before headin' out). Deployment was fine and t' streamer brought it safely back for a fairly short walk. Begad! My duration be only 35 seconds though, so I'll probably go with a slightly larger streamer.

If usin' t' 12" chute, ya bilge rat, be prepared for long walks. Aye aye! Aye aye! T' estimated altitudes for a B are 950 feet and 1500 feet for a C. Avast! I think those are reasonably accurate and I will probably stick t' A and B motors.

Recovery:
PROs: Keelhaul®©™® upgrade is excellent, shiver me timbers, especially in a $6 kit.

CONs: nice chute but this would come back just fine (and sooner) with a streamer.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a decent rocket, very good flyer, me hearties, me hearties, although a bit ordinary in terms of design. Ahoy! At $6, ya bilge rat, it represents a very good value and is an appealin' skill level 1 rocket for t' beginner.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5