Brief:
T' Semroc Hawk RetroRepro boost glider is a very simple t' build and easy t' fly rocket boosted glider. Blimey! Blimey! Based on the 1965 AMROCS Hawk, it ejects its motor t' establish a stable, balanced glide.

Construction:
In t' well packaged kit you get:

• 1 Instruction set
• 2 3/32" balsa part sheets
• 1 BT-20 motor tube
• 1 Balsa nose cone
• 1 1/8" launch lug
• 1 Waterslide decal

T' kit instructions are practically flawless. If you can follow them, you can build this glider. Well, blow me down! The lasered lines in t' stabilizer and small rudders are really a nice feature. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! It makes assembly in those areas very simple. Ya scallywag! Blimey! One small point, shiver me timbers, t' instructions say t' round edges and airfoil wings after assembly is complete. I disagree. Arrr! Blimey! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! Blimey! Do t' sandin' before assembly when parts are much more accessible and easier t' sand.

Finishing:
In gliders, paint is nay normally used. Aye aye! T' extra weight will reduce glide time and performance. Avast! While some like to fly gliders "nekkid", I like t' use fabric dye t' color balsa parts before assembly. O' course you must do all sandin' before t' dyin' process. Well, blow me down! Blimey! After final assembly, 2 coats o' thinned, me bucko, clear dope make for a nice smooth finish without too much added weight.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
First flight was good. Begad! Well, arrr, blow me down! I had no 1/2A6-2 or A8-3 motors so I used a 13mm 1/2A3-2T. Ya scallywag! Usin' an adapter I built (see pics) to pop out o' t' Hawk motor mount, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, t' 13mm motor boosted t' small glider beautifully. Blimey! Boost was nice and vertical, at ejection a nice loud pop, me hearties, shiver me timbers, and me motor adapter floated down on its mylar streamer. Ahoy! T' glider however was a bit nose heavy and landed nay too long after t' motor pod.

Second flight: tail weight added and same motor. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Still a straight boost. Begad! Much better glide, though still a touch nose heavy.

Third flight: more tail weight added plus on win' tip t' aid in turn rate. Aye aye! On boost, it arced over some but did not affect t' boost very much. Ahoy! Much better glide, ya bilge rat, with a nice gentle left turn. Stayed up for about 45 seconds.

Recovery:
I like t' motor ejection for transition t' glide. Avast! Avast! It is somewhat dangerous as on all three o' me flights, I could see where t' motor had scraped on t' tail boom. Well, blow me down! T' top side o' t' wings, me bucko, right next t' t' main boom, me bucko, arrr, shiver me timbers, may need some mylar tape, or some other type o' protection from t' motor exhaust. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! After just three flights, I had a nice burned section on one wing.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I like this glider kit very much. T' nice laser cut parts and easy t' follow instructions make this kit a certain favorite for anyone who like t' fly gliders. Ahoy! Arrr! T' only CON I have for t' whole kit be t' one part in t' instructions that say t' sand all edges after final assembly. Blimey! Much too difficult with this small glider.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5