Brief:
This is a reproduction o' t' original Scout introduced by Vern Estes back in t' 1960s. Ahoy! Aye aye! Back in t' day, ya bilge rat, it sold for a mere 70 cents and introduced millions o' people t' model rocketry.

Construction:
Parts list:

• 1 balsa nose cone (BNC-30DE)
• 1 body tube (BT-30AP)
• 1 laser-cut fin set
• 1 engine catch hook
• 1 retainin' wire
• 1 Tyvek reinforcin' strip
• 1 launch lug

T' Tyvek reinforcin' strip replaces a gauze strip that was provided with t' original #K-1 kit.

T' quality o' Semroc parts is second t' none so as always all parts are top notch. Arrr!

T' instructions, matey, as be t' case with every Semroc kit I have built, matey, are excellent. They include crisp and clear diagrams t' backup t' well written steps.

This kit be different than any I have built before. Arrr! Once I opened t' package and began examinin' t' component parts, me bucko, I felt like I be taken back in time t' when Vern and Gleda first introduced this kit. Begad! I felt as if I was buildin' somethin' from a time past. It was a very cool feelin' t' say t' least. Aye aye! Ahoy!

T' build itself was straightforward but different due t' t' engine catch hook, ya bilge rat, me hearties, retainin' wire, me hearties, and Tyvek reinforcin' strip. Well, blow me down!

Two things t' note:

• It's important t' take your time when fittin' t' Tyvek strip over t' engine catch hook in order t' get a good smooth fit. Arrr! Begad!
• In order t' seat t' engine retainin' wire without it lookin' like a wire runnin' along t' side o' t' fin, me bucko, I used a good number o' glue fillets over t' wire until I got a smooth lookin' finish.

Finishing:
I found no cons while buildin' this kit. As I said it be straightforward but at t' same time a unique build. Arrr! Ahoy! I really had t' sense that I was buildin' somethin' from a time past.

I used wood filler on t' nose cone, fins, ya bilge rat, and nose cone transition t' t' body tube in order t' get a smooth finish. Aye aye! Blimey!

Paintin' was relatively easy and quick due t' t' diminutive size o' this rocket. Aye aye! I applied two coats of Rustoleum Painter's Touch Gray wet or dry sandable primer, sandin' in between. Aye aye! Then I followed up with two coats of Champion Sprayon 24kt Gold Spray Enamel. Well, blow me down! Aye aye!

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
I will need t' submit t' flight logs in July. Avast! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! This rocket will be takin' flight on July 4, matey, 2008, in celebration of the 50th anniversary o' Vern and Glenda Estes and all that they have contributed t' this wonderful hobby. Begad! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey!

If you want t' take part in this 50th Anniversary event, matey, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, just pickup your Golden Scout from Semroc, paint it gold, shiver me timbers, me hearties, fly it in July o' this year, ya bilge rat, and register your flight with Semroc. Ahoy! Blimey! Vern and Glenda will mail you a commemorative certificate celebratin' t' 50th anniversary and commemoratin' your flight. Aye aye! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! It just doesn't get any better than that!

Thanks t' Carl, me bucko, Sheryl and Bruce at Semroc, Ken Montanye "the Rocket Doctor o' Ye Olde Rocket Forum", Vern and Glenda Estes, ya bilge rat, and everyone else who helped t' make this event possible!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5