Brief:
T' BatRok is a Semroc Retro Repro series kit that is an updated version o' the Centuri BatRok kit KB-8 from 1967. T' original design was inspired by the original Batman television series and also includes a payload bay.

Construction:
T' kit includes:

• 1 body tube
• 1 clear plastic tube
• 1 balsa nose cone
• 1 balsa tube coupler
• 1 set laser cut fins
• 1 thrust ring
• 1 empty casing
• 1 launch lug
• 1 screw eye
• 1 elastic cord
• 1 Keelhaul®©™® thread
• 1 plastic parachute
• 1 set tape disks
• 1 shroud line
• 1 decal

Semroc does a remarkable job with t' packagin' o' their kits. Begad! I have yet to find a single kit from them that was missin' a part or has a part damaged. Also, ya bilge rat, t' instructions are printed on quality paper and they even include a brief history about t' rocket you are about t' build.

T' instructions take you through t' build process in a logical order and are so well illustrated, you almost do nay have t' do any reading. T' kit includes 8 laser cut fins, and t' balsa is excellent quality. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! T' lower fins looks like bat wings. Blimey! T' upper fins are rotate 90 degrees from t' lower fins, so this rocket has an interestin' profile when viewed from t' top. Blimey! I was a little concerned about t' fin tips which extend below t' body tube but so far they have held up quite nicely.

Finishing:
This is a small rocket, so it is very easy t' paint. I originally went with all black until I realized t' decals were black on clear so I masked off t' fins and painted t' BT a smoked silver color.

T' light color balsa nose cone shoulder and tube coupler were a bit distractin' for me after I finished t' rocket--this rockets demands t' be all dark. Begad! Well, blow me down! It is patterned after a bat after all. Ya scallywag! Begad! I used a black Sharpie marker to color t' nose cone shoulder, me bucko, however, I had already glued t' coupler into the payload tube so it was too late t' color that--poor plannin' on me part. Blimey! So I masked off all but 5/16" o' t' payload tube instead and gave it a shot of black paint which masked t' color o' t' balsa quite nicely. Arrr! T' waterslide decals are great quality, ya bilge rat, thick enough so they do nay easily tear and very easy to apply.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
First flight was on a A8-5. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! Since it be a bit windy, me hearties, me bucko, I replaced t' parachute with a streamer. T' rocket really zooms off t' pad and got t' at least 500 feet. Begad! Well, blow me down! Second flight on a B6-6 be really something. It weathercocked a little but a good boost overall t' 900-1000 feet. Avast, me proud beauty! I have nay tried t' C6-7 yet because I am afraid I might lose it!

Recovery:
T' recovery system held up well through both flights. T' streamer was a good choice for t' windy day I be launching, both landings were close t' t' pad. I think a 12" chute on this small rocket would easily let it float way down range!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a great lookin' rocket that is very easy t' build and a whole lot of fun t' fly. This was one o' t' favorite rockets o' t' kids who were at the launch. Arrr! Well, matey, blow me down! It is just beggin' t' be upscaled!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5