Brief:
This is another one o' Semroc’s "retro-repro" offerings--a modern-day release o' a classic style rocket, this single stage kit is a nice project for t' slightly experienced builder.

Construction:

• 2 ST-809 body tubes
• Tube coupler
• 18mm motor mount assembly
• Balsa nose cone
• Laser-cut balsa fins
• 12" plastic chute
• Keelhaul®©™/elastic recovery
• waterslide decal

Before beginnin' construction, t' you should decide which version o' this kit you want t' build, ya bilge rat, arrr, ya bilge rat, as thar are many different configuration options with t' assorted fin patterns (the booklet shows 12 configurations). Begad! Arrr! I wound up choosin' one o' t' most complex versions, which wound up bein' a little more work than I had wanted t' put into this kit.

Construction begins with sandin' o' t' laser cut fins and removin' t' fins from t' pre-cut sheets. I have t' say whatever laser Semroc is usin' is top-notch, shiver me timbers, as their fins come out very easily without any signs o' burns or chips. Avast! They even laser-etch t' company logo into each sheet o' balsa.

Most o' t' fin configuration options involve two-piece fin construction, so be prepared t' spend a bit o' time gluin' together t' forward and aft sections o' t' fins. Ahoy! Blimey! Next, shiver me timbers, mark t' body tube for t' fin mountin' lines. For me particular configuration, this included 4 "main" fin lines at 90-degree points on t' tube, me hearties, plus 8 "trim" fins mounted evenly betwixt t' 4 main ones.

T' motor mount is a standard 18mm assembly o' tube, motor hook, and a couple o' centerin' rings plus a ring/block inside. Avast! Ya scallywag! I was glad t' see that one o' Semroc’s modern-day improvements t' t' classic kits included t' use o' a Keelhaul®©™shock cord attached t' t' base o' t' motor mount.

T' kit comes with 2 body tubes, shiver me timbers, matey, me bucko, each o' which is about 9" long, joined with a coupler. Aye aye! I'm sure this is related t' t' fact that they use genuine Centuri-sized body tubes, but I would have preferred t' see a single-piece tube, shiver me timbers, which eliminates t' chance o' a visible seam line.

Fins are then attached per whichever configuration you've chosen. Ahoy! In me case, that meant 12 total fins bonded around a fairly small (0.9" OD) tube, me bucko, which called for tweezers, ya bilge rat, as me fingers proved too large t' fit in betwixt small fin gaps.

T' build itself be fairly simple and straightforward, shiver me timbers, and t' directions were clear and well illustrated.

Finishing:
Finishin' proved t' be a serious challenge on this, ya bilge rat, me bucko, mainly because o' me choice o' configuration (12-fin). Begad! Begad! With 12 fins in place, me hearties, t' gaps are very difficult t' paint around, ya bilge rat, and it would probably have been easier t' pre-paint t' fins, me hearties, ya bilge rat, rather than attach them when t' body tube’s painted.

I went with t' color scheme on t' kit liner picture, arrr, which was a white tube, red fins, and blue nose cone, me bucko, shiver me timbers, all applied over 2 coats o' primer and plenty o' filler for all that balsa. Despite me efforts t' carefully mask t' fins and launch lug area, me bucko, some o' t' red paint splotched through, me bucko, and t' finished product doesn't quite live up t' t' standards o' craftsmanship I try t' meet.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
First flight was on a beautiful day, me hearties, though slightly breezy with winds around 8mph. Well, blow me down! I went with a moderate choice: an Estes B6-6. Aye aye! T' rocket flew very well (with 12 fins, arrr, stability shouldn't be a problem), weathercockin' slightly into t' wind.

T' 6 second delay was way too much for this. A 4 would probably still have been slightly past apogee and I'd go with that in t' future.

T' chute popped right out, ya bilge rat, bringin' t' Squire back down without any problems at all. Well, blow me down! Well, almost none. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! There be a baseball game on a nearby field and it drifted right behind t' dugout. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! One o' t' players, thinkin' they were helping, went t' recover t' rocket and apparently didn't notice t' balsa nose cone, arrr, painted bright blue, which he stepped on. Aye aye! With cleats. Begad! I've got a very large gouge t' fill, though this obviously has nothin' t' do with t' flight itself.

Recovery:
Everythin' about t' recovery works fine.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I really like Semroc's retro kits (though I can't find a Squire in any o' me Centuri or Estes references). Aye aye! Avast! Good quality, me bucko, good designs, and a pleasure t' build. This one be no exception.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5