Brief:
This is another one o' Semroc’s "retro-repro" offerings--a modern-day release o' a classic style rocket, arrr, shiver me timbers, 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, shiver me timbers, t' you should decide which version o' this kit you want t' build, as thar are many different configuration options with t' assorted fin patterns (the booklet shows 12 configurations). Ahoy! I wound up choosin' one o' t' most complex versions, ya bilge rat, me bucko, matey, 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. Well, arrr, blow me down! I have t' say whatever laser Semroc is usin' is top-notch, 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. Next, mark t' body tube for t' fin mountin' lines. Avast, me proud beauty! For me particular configuration, me bucko, me bucko, me bucko, this included 4 "main" fin lines at 90-degree points on t' tube, arrr, me hearties, arrr, plus 8 "trim" fins mounted evenly betwixt t' 4 main ones.

T' motor mount is a standard 18mm assembly o' tube, matey, motor hook, and a couple o' centerin' rings plus a ring/block inside. Aye aye! I be 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, each o' which is about 9" long, matey, joined with a coupler. Begad! Ya scallywag! 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, which eliminates t' chance o' a visible seam line.

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

T' build itself was fairly simple and straightforward, matey, ya bilge rat, me bucko, and t' directions were clear and well illustrated.

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

I went with t' color scheme on t' kit liner picture, matey, which be a white tube, matey, red fins, ya bilge rat, and blue nose cone, shiver me timbers, all applied over 2 coats o' primer and plenty o' filler for all that balsa. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! Despite me efforts t' carefully mask t' fins and launch lug area, some o' t' red paint splotched through, matey, 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, shiver me timbers, though slightly breezy with winds around 8mph. Arrr! Aye aye! I went with a moderate choice: an Estes B6-6. T' rocket flew very well (with 12 fins, stability shouldn't be a problem), weathercockin' slightly into t' wind.

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

T' chute popped right out, bringin' t' Squire back down without any problems at all. Well, me bucko, me hearties, almost none. Begad! There was a baseball game on a nearby field and it drifted right behind t' dugout. Begad! Ya scallywag! 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, me hearties, which he stepped on. Ahoy! With cleats. Avast! Ahoy! I've got a very large gouge t' fill, arrr, 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). Good quality, good designs, shiver me timbers, me bucko, and a pleasure t' build. Avast! This one was no exception.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5