Brief:
I had been flyin' me 1967 vintage Astron Spaceplane when a unusually powerful ejection charge broke both elevon stops and blew away 1/3 o' t' right elevon. I decided t' retire it and build a replacement. Avast! Ya scallywag! T' cc:Spaceplane is one o' the "carbon copy" kits put out by Semroc. Arrr! Semroc supplies all t' parts includin' laser cut fins and decals, shiver me timbers, which were nay included in t' original kit. Well, blow me down! It is close enough t' t' original Astron Spaceplane that t' original Estes instructions can be used. Avast! Ahoy! T' instructions are available for download off the internet, but I still had me set from 1967 so that's what I used.

Construction:
Parts in t' kit:

• Body tube
• Solid balsa engine block/bulkhead
• Balsa nose cone
• 2 sheets o' laser cut parts
• Launch lug
• Hinge material
• Elastic thread
• 2 Nylon adjustin' screws
• Nose cone weight
• Decal sheet

T' instructions are vintage and appear t' be hand printed. T' construction sequence is logically arranged and t' laser cuttin' made construction a breeze compared t' t' original where all t' parts had t' be copied from a pattern and cut out. All t' parts fit beautifully and t' hinge material felt like plastic rather than t' paper hinges o' t' original and stuck very well. Ahoy! Ahoy! Even the hole in t' elevons for t' elastic thread be laser drilled. Ya scallywag! T' only markin' and cuttin' was for t' elevon cutout at t' aft o' t' body tube. Well, blow me down! I used Elmer's white glue throughout for t' construction

Finishing:
Since t' cc:Spaceplane is a boost glider, me hearties, arrr, I tried t' keep finishin' t' a minimum t' save weight. All t' balsa surfaces were given a single coat of Minwax Polycrylic and sanded smooth then a single light coat o' Krylon white primer followed by a single light coat o' Krylon gloss white except for the nose cone which was painted gloss black. T' decals were applied next, were easy t' apply, and they stuck fairly well. I balanced it accordin' t' t' plan which is betwixt 3 7/8" t' 3 15/16" from t' front edge o' t' body tube with a motor installed. Ahoy! Arrr! Instead o' cuttin' parts o' t' nose cone weight and gluin' t' t' nose cone, I just used a medium sized screw eye which was just about right. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down!

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight and Recovery:
Before flyin' it for t' first time, me bucko, I took it out in t' back yard for test glides. Ahoy! Blimey! T' nylon screws make it easy t' adjust t' elevons for glide and after about a dozen tosses, I had a fairly flat glide with just a bit o' right turn into it. Begad! Begad! Blimey! For some reason, it didn't want t' turn left easily, so I adjusted the glide for a right turn.

T' recommended motor for first flight is 1/2A6-2. Ahoy! Begad! I chose t' try it with an A8-3. At launch, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, it went up about 50ft, made 2 complete loops, and then the motor ejected. Ahoy! It had a beautiful, me hearties, if somewhat short glide. Arrr! Arrr! T' spin tabs didn't seem t' have any effect at all. I took it home and added about 1/3 of the weight that was included and cranked in a little more up elevon for the glide adjustment. Ya scallywag!

Because o' t' weather, me hearties, I didn't get a chance t' attempt a second flight for 2 1/2 months, but t' day o' t' second launch be clear with very little wind. Begad! I loaded an A8-3 and this time t' boost was much better. Arrr! It didn't exactly spin but had large barrel rolls (much like me original Astron Spaceplane) until ejection and had a decent but nay great glide. Ahoy! A little more up elevon and a little less right turn and this will be a good sport flyer.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This rocket kit was o' t' highest quality with excellent laser cut parts. While nay a beginner's kit, shiver me timbers, me hearties, it was easy t' assemble if you take your time and follow t' instruction steps. As be t' case with many boost gliders, arrr, thar is trade off betwixt boost performance and glide performance. Begad!

I don't expect t' get a better boost without addin' more nose weight but that would affect glide performance. Aye aye! I will live with t' large rolls as this was intended for sport flying. Avast, me proud beauty!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5