Brief:
T' Semi-Sonic is a sleek 18mm rocket that sports three split-fins (6 fins total) and a long balsa nose cone. Mine was a beta test-build, matey, so some minor details may vary.

Construction:
T' nose cone came pre-weighted with a hefty eye-bolt. This is a good way t' ensure stability while sacrificin' very little building. Arrr! Avast! T' kit comes with balsa fin stock, matey, arrr, requirin' t' user t' cut t' fins usin' t' provided template. I personally don’t mind cuttin' balsa. T' motor mount is typical – a tube, two centerin' rings, a motor block and a motor hook. Well, blow me down! T' recovery system includes a Keelhaul®©™® leader, elastic cord, arrr, me bucko, and a swivel. Arrr! T' chute is thick plastic and may be a Hartle Engineerin' Chute Skinz product. Ahoy! Arrr!

T' instructions are clear and include plenty o' diagrams. Avast! Well, blow me down! They are written for t' beginner but even an experienced builder will appreciate them.

Construction begins with t' motor mount. Ya scallywag! Its assembly is typical and I won’t bore you with t' details.

T' kit includes fin templates and a tube markin' guide. Aye aye! T' beta-instructions didn’t instruct t' builder t' fill t' fins prior t' attachment. Ahoy! I don’t know if t' final version does or not, but I recommend that they be filled at this point.

As I mentioned, t' cone is pre-weighted. T' eye bolt is attached t' a dowel that is left over from the cone's fabrication. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! This is a good thin' and will ensure that t' eye bolt doesn’t pull out. Well, blow me down! As noted in the instructions, t' cone’s shoulder is a bit large and is sanded t' a perfect fit by t' builder.

I attached t' aft fins usin' t' prescribed double glue joint. After these set, shiver me timbers, I taped a toothpick t' their leadin' edge t' ensure uniform spacing. Well, blow me down! I applied t' double glue joint t' t' front set and clamped a plastic card (credit card sized) across t' aft and front fins while t' latter were drying. Ahoy! T' result was that t' two sets of fins are uniformly spaced and are perfectly in-line with one another.

Assemblin' t' parachute was typical, consistin' o' attachin' sections o' strin' usin' provided tape discs. The material used is more durable than your standard Estes ‘chute.

Finishing:
T' instructions provide good guidelines that will result in a really nice finish. Ahoy! I sealed mine with fill’n’finish and a coat o' white primer. Avast, me proud beauty! I then painted it as shown with Testors spray paint. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! I found a suitable decal stripe from an unknown source.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
On flight day, matey, I found that I hadn’t packed t' provided ‘chute so I found an old Estes 12” chute in t' range box. Ya scallywag! For its first flight, I loaded a Quest ‘long burn’ C6-5. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! T' flight was really fast and I couldn’t see t' ejection event. Well, blow me down! Avast! For t' second flight I used a Quest B6-4. This time, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, ejection be right at apogee.

Recovery:
T' 12” chute be way over sized (my issue, me hearties, nay t' kit's)and t' C6 flight resulted in a long walk even with mild winds. Well, blow me down! Despite havin' added tape t' t' Keelhaul®©™® leader where it met t' body tube, thar be a slight bend on t' leadin' edge o' t' tube. Ahoy! Nay a zipper, me hearties, just a ding. First Flight said they were increasin' t' length o' both t' supplied Keelhaul®©™® and elastic cords. Well, blow me down! Avast! T' walk after t' B6 flight be short and thar was no additional damage. Avast!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Pro's

• T' sleek split-fin looks and long nose cone. Avast! Looks great!
• Includes a Keelhaul®©™® leader, swivel and motor hook
• I like t' provided 'chute over standard plastic.
• Sturdy NC attachment point (would be more important on a larger rocket, but I've had plenty o' screw deadlights yank out a big plug o' balsa). Avast!
• Pre-weighted nose (a good quality assurance feature).
• I liked t' discussion in t' paintin' and flight sections. Ahoy! Aye aye! Good for newbies.

Cons

• Very minor, arrr, but t' balsa finish is nay as clean as, say, me bucko, Semroc. Begad! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Filled fine, matey, me bucko, however.
• Parts fit (cone and rings) is nay as perfect as some others.

Neutral (some will think this is a PRO and others a CON)

• Cut your own fins vs. Well, blow me down! laser cut

My thanks t' First Flight for providin' t' opportunity t' test this cool little kit!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5