Brief:
This is a cool retro style rocket that is sure t' please everyone with its looks and flying. Begad!

Construction:
If you like quality balsa parts, matey, ya bilge rat, me bucko, this kit has it. Ahoy! Here is what t' VF-261 comes with:

• Balsa nose cone
• BT-55 tube
• Balsa tail cone
• 18mm motor tube
• Laser cut fins
• Engine block
• Screw eye
• Plywood block
• 4 launch lugs
• Clay
• Keelhaul®©™® cord
• Shock cord
• Plastic chute
• Tape discs
• Shroud lines
• Water slide decals

Everythin' came nicely in t' bag undamaged. Avast!

As usual, Semroc put together easy t' read instructions. Begad! Ahoy! Blimey! Nothin' was unclear or hard t' follow. Arrr! T' only possible complaint I have be t' fin markin' guide. Blimey! Avast! Blimey! I didn't have trouble with it, ya bilge rat, but I could see how others may have a hard time holdin' t' tube steady enough t' mark t' lines perfectly.

T' build be very easy. All o' t' parts fit well with no sanding. Workin' with balsa is way better than plastic in me opinion so this build was a blast. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Another plus with Semroc kits is that they supply every rocket with Keelhaul®©™® cord and a nice length o' shock cord.

Finishing:
Finishin' be basic. I only used one coat o' sandin' sealer for it. Aye aye! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! I probably should have used another coat or two, but it's lighter this way. Well, me hearties, blow me down! Blimey! After t' sealer dried, ya bilge rat, it be all sanded down and ready for painting. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Blimey! My brother picked out some Testor's silver paint so that is what I used. My brother also put t' decals on and he had no trouble with those.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Well we waited for a good day t' launch t' VF-261. Aye aye! Blimey! I wasn't 100% sure how it would fly due t' t' airplane appearance. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' winds were around 5mph so I loaded it with t' A8-3. T' flight was nice and low with just a tad bit of spin. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Next up was t' B6-4. This sent it up quite a bit higher and once again had a nice straight up launch with just a little spin. Ahoy! Due t' its size, shiver me timbers, it won't be flyin' on t' C6 anytime soon. Blimey! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Blimey! Most people will be satisfied with the performance on As and Bs though.

Recovery:
T' first flight recovery went well. T' second one didn't look good at first but turned out fine in t' end. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! The chute didn't open until about 30-40ft off t' ground. Avast! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! It landed undamaged and is ready t' go again. Blimey! Blimey! I'm nay a fan of plastic chutes though so this may get upgraded t' nylon chute eventually.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
Semroc produces a cool lookin' design that flies well too. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! I wouldn't change anythin' except maybe t' plastic chute. I may have t' upscale this sucker because it would look much better in bigger form. Avast, me proud beauty!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5