Brief:
T' Semroc Hawk RetroRepro boost glider is a very simple t' build and easy t' fly rocket boosted glider. Begad! Based on the 1965 AMROCS Hawk, ya bilge rat, me hearties, it ejects its motor t' establish a stable, me hearties, 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. Aye aye! 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. Arrr! Ahoy! It makes assembly in those areas very simple. One small point, me bucko, t' instructions say t' round edges and airfoil wings after assembly is complete. Avast, me proud beauty! I disagree. Aye aye! Begad! Do t' sandin' before assembly when parts are much more accessible and easier t' sand.

Finishing:
In gliders, paint is nay normally used. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! T' extra weight will reduce glide time and performance. While some like to fly gliders "nekkid", matey, I like t' use fabric dye t' color balsa parts before assembly. Begad! O' course you must do all sandin' before t' dyin' process. Ahoy! Aye aye! After final assembly, shiver me timbers, 2 coats o' thinned, 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! I had no 1/2A6-2 or A8-3 motors so I used a 13mm 1/2A3-2T. Avast! Usin' an adapter I built (see pics) to pop out o' t' Hawk motor mount, t' 13mm motor boosted t' small glider beautifully. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Boost be nice and vertical, at ejection a nice loud pop, me bucko, and me motor adapter floated down on its mylar streamer. Begad! T' glider however be a bit nose heavy and landed nay too long after t' motor pod.

Second flight: tail weight added and same motor. Ahoy! Still a straight boost. Ahoy! Much better glide, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, though still a touch nose heavy.

Third flight: more tail weight added plus on win' tip t' aid in turn rate. On boost, it arced over some but did not affect t' boost very much. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! Much better glide, me bucko, arrr, with a nice gentle left turn. Well, blow me down! Begad! Stayed up for about 45 seconds.

Recovery:
I like t' motor ejection for transition t' glide. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! It is somewhat dangerous as on all three o' me flights, I could see where t' motor had scraped on t' tail boom. Begad! T' top side o' t' wings, right next t' t' main boom, shiver me timbers, may need some mylar tape, or some other type o' protection from t' motor exhaust. 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. 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. Ya scallywag! Much too difficult with this small glider.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5