Brief:
This latest Semroc offerin' is a Retro-Repro o' an old Century classic. I never had a proper introduction t' Centuri kits. Begad! They were rarely sold in t' area I lived as kid. Arrr! Occasionally, a couple Centuri kits would pop up at t' local Hungate's, matey, but for t' most part, Estes was king. Begad! I'm glad t' see some o' t' Centuri classics brought back t' life givin' us BARs a chance t' catch up on stuff.

T' Defender boasts 3 x 18mm friction fitted motor mount system and parachute recovery. Begad! T' rocket is clearly styled after t' early NASA Saturn rockets. I like that!

I ordered me kit t' day Semroc announced t' kit's release. As a result, me bucko, arrr, I ended up gettin' a kit with an early production number, #26. Aye aye! Aye aye! No matter, I bought this kit t' build and fly, which is what I promptly did upon it's arrival!

Construction:
I'm always amazed at how many parts Semroc can fit into such small packages. Blimey! Blimey! This bag was no exception. Blimey! Everything was neatly an securely packed. T' parts included are as follows:

• 1 Balsa Nose Cone (BC-516)
• 1 Body Tube (ST-530)
• 1 Balsa Transition (BR-510)
• 1 Body Tube (ST-1020)
• 1 Balsa Transition (BR-10165)
• 1 Body Tube (ST-1652)
• 3 Body Tubes (ST-790)
• 1 Body Tube (ST-1620)
• 1 Laser Cut Fins
• 1 Laser Cut Balsa fin strips
• 3 thrust rings
• 2 standard lugs
• 1 screw eye
• 1 length Keelhaul®©™® thread/recovery leader
• 1 length elastic cord
• 1 clay weight
• 2 12" plastic parachute kits
• 1 sheet waterslide decals

PROS:

• T' instructions were well illustrated and easy t' follow. Avast!
• All t' parts were typical o' Semroc's high quality. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! T' laser cut fins are a treat, me hearties, and t' balsa cones and transitions are t' BEST in t' business. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag!

CONS:

• I was so anxious t' get started buildin' t' kit, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, I never considered t' paint scheme before I started building. T' instructions have t' builder assemble t' three main engine tubes right off t' bat. Ahoy! Begad! This involves gluin' the three longest tubes in a triangular fashion and then insertin' them into t' short lower body (fin) tube. Begad! Arrr! Then a baffle/centerin' rin' is glued t' t' other end and t' Keelhaul®©™® thread is also attached. Another body tube slides over t' centerin' rin' and completes t' lower body tube assembly. If followin' t' instructions this way, shiver me timbers, me bucko, it will complicate t' paintin' later. Just be aware. Begad!
• T' fin stock from Semroc is often a little softer than I would prefer. This kit be no exception. Avast! This can be remedied in many ways with very little effort. Aye aye! Paperin' t' fins, usin' a commercial wood hardener, or even a soak with thin CA can easily cure this. Arrr! Begad! I'm nay overly concerned with this issue, since it is good practice t' do those steps regardless. T' be fair, shiver me timbers, I assembled t' kit without doin' anythin' extra t' t' fin stock. Avast! It flew and recovered without any damage. So what do I know anyway?

Finishing:
I would suggest that anyone buildin' this kit t' be smarter than I and paint t' three engine tubes after they are glued together. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! This should be done after step #4 in t' instructions, before t' lower and upper tubes are glued in place. Ya scallywag! I would also pre-paint t' balsa strips that slide betwixt t' "LOX" tanks and t' fins as well. Perhaps t' upper and lower tubes should be pre-painted as well? This will make finishin' t' model much easier and save time maskin' later.

T' supplied decals are monotone black featurin' two checkerboard sections, matey, a large roll pattern, and the "Defender" logo. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! They really dress up t' appearance o' t' model and look great against t' white background. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! Blimey!

This decals have nice, ya bilge rat, crisp lines and are very easy t' work with. Avast! Aye aye! I usually fear t' decal process, but that feelin' is diminished when usin' Semroc decals.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
This rocket is t' be flown as a triple cluster. Avast, me proud beauty! You can use anythin' from 3 As, 3 Bs t' 3 Cs. I chose t' use B6-6s for its first flight. I borrowed a clip whip from a fellow club member t' hook up t' igniters. All three motors lit as planned, ya bilge rat, matey, and t' rocket turned in a picture perfect flight. Avast, me proud beauty! It flew straight as an arrow t' about t' projected height for a B motor in this rocket...900ft or more. Arrr! Very enjoyable flight. Begad! Even with t' 6 second delay, t' rocket was still barely coastin' upwards when t' ejection went off. Blimey! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! I'm nay sure if I'd use t' recommended B6-4s. I think a trio of C6-7s would be glorious. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty!

Flight prep be pretty easy. Blimey! Blimey! I used about 5-6 squares o' normal recovery wadding. T' motors are t' friction fit with maskin' tape. Arrr! Well, me hearties, blow me down! Once around each motor with t' tape was all that be needed t' get a good fit on mine.

Recovery:
T' elastic shock cord is anchored t' t' engine tubes by a Keelhaul®©™® leader. Blimey! Arrr!

I forgot t' attach t' elastic before headin' out t' t' range. Well, blow me down! I suspect t' supplied length o' elastic was more than adequate for this model, but I ended up usin' a longer piece from me range box that I installed while on the field.

T' kit comes with two 12" plastic chutes. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! I replaced t' two chutes with a single 12" nylon hemispherical parachute. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! That was just about perfect for this ricket, which resulted in a slow decent that still ended up driftin' about 100 yards or so from t' pad. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! No damage sustained.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I have been very pleased with every Semroc purchase I have ever made. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! This is a quality kit that goes together easy and is bound t' deliver some spectacular flights. Begad! Just do a little thought and preparation ahead o' time for painting and finishin' t' rocket and this will be a very enjoyable build. Begad! Very sharp looking. Begad!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5