Brief:
This is a very basic high performance 4 fin and nose cone model that is part of the RetroRepro series by Semroc. Arrr! Avast! It was designed in 1968 and was t' first released Semroc kit. Here it has been updated with laser cut fins and an improved launch lug.

Construction:
T' kit comes with 1 body tube, matey, 1 balsa nose cone, 1 launch lug, 1 sheet of four laser cut fins, 1 specs decal, ya bilge rat, and instruction booklet. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! Blimey! T' fin sheet is safely tucked inside t' instruction booklet.

T' instructions and construction o' this model are straightforward and simple. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! It is easy t' build and t' instructions provide a fin guide t' make your first marks. T' laser cut fins are very good quality and an appropriate thickness. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' 11 construction steps are in a logical order and clear illustrations should help out a first time builder. Begad! Ahoy! There really are no gotchas and no special tools are needed because this kit is as basic as it gets. Begad! Ya scallywag!

Finishing:
T' instructions also provide a real nice description and illustrations on finishin' which will be helpful t' first timers. Blimey! Blimey! After several sealin' and sandin' coats me Triton was primed and then spray painted day glow orange for trackin' and recovery ease in Winter flights.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended motors were A8-5 for an approximate altitude o' 600', me hearties, B6-6 for 1000', and C6-7 for 1600'. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! I didn't have any A8-5s and I had no intention of launchin' on anythin' more powerful than an A so I could complete 3 flights with recovery for purposes o' this review. Featherweight recovery required no waddin' but a wrap o' maskin' tape around t' motor base was necessary t' keep the motor snug in t' body tube. Begad! First flight be on a 1/2A6-2. Blimey! Very straight to about 300 feet. Short delay and nice sharp ejection pop while Triton was coastin' upward. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! Motor landed about 10ft from pad and Triton planted nose first about 30ft from t' pad. Avast! Next launch on an A8-3 and went t' about 500ft. Blimey! Due to the short delay, it ejected as Triton be still coastin' upward. Well, blow me down! For t' third launch I sleeved a 1/2A3-4T in a used 18mm casing. Arrr! This propelled t' Triton to about 200-250 feet and provided a more appropriate delay so that it was horizontal at ejection. Avast, me proud beauty! All flights were straight up though a minor spin (less than 1 rotation) be witnessed in t' lower powered flights. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! 5 mph gusts of wind may have been t' culprit here but thar wasn't any signs o' windcocking in t' gusts.

Recovery:
Once separated from its engine, t' Triton falls really fast. Avast, me proud beauty! Mine also had a nice spin on t' way down. As t' balsa nose hit t' defrostin' ground three times it sustained a little damage. Avast! It was nothin' that can't be sealed and repainted. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! I also want t' point out that t' damage did nay seem t' impact subsequent flight performance. It probably would be fine nosin' in t' a non-frozen field or better yet some soft grass. Blimey! I wouldn't want t' wreck the retro feel o' t' Triton kit by changin' out t' balsa nose for a plastic one with some added weight, but it's grub for thought. Arrr!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
There really is no downside t' this rocket. T' packagin' brings you back to the early days o' t' hobby. Well, matey, blow me down! Blimey! It takes about 10 minutes t' build and o' course longer t' finish dependin' on how you want it t' look. Avast! Blimey! T' retail list price is $2.50 and online vendors let em fly for significant savings. Avast! You really can't go wrong with this kit. Aye aye! Well, me bucko, blow me down! Blimey! T' Triton would be an ideal first rocket or a carton of them would be great for a scout or group build. Featherweight recovery means no waddin' is required so it's a great cost per flight bargain and prep time is minimal. Begad! Arrr! Blimey! As previously stated, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, a plastic nosecone could be considered for durability but I feel would detract from t' retro feel o' this kit. Blimey!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5