Brief:
A Semroc retro-repro version (KV-13)of Centuri's 1965 Astrobee 350 (KC-5)and incorporatin' updated technology like laser-cut fins and Keelhaul®©™®-mounted shock cord.

Construction:
T' parts list is covered in Chan's review so I won't elaborate here.

This bein' me first Semroc build, me bucko, I found t' Astrobee 350 t' be a nice and easy skill level one kit t' put together with no "gotchas" and such. T' components are top quality and t' instructions come in t' form of a detailed booklet in color. Begad! These instructions were very well written and easy enough for even t' most inexperienced novice t' understand well.

T' motor assembly is constructed by insertin' t' motor hook into t' pre-cut slot in t' motor tube. Begad! After gluin' in t' thrust ring, arrr, t' two cardstock centerin' rings are then glued into place. I then used white glue t' add fillets around t' edges o' t' centerin' rings where they slide over t' motor tube. Begad! Aye aye! Once that is done, arrr, t' completed motor assembly is glued into place in t' body tube. Although I had me reservations about Semroc's recommendation to loop and tie off t' Keelhaul®©™® cord t' t' motor hook, I nonetheless went ahead and did that anyway. Avast! Time will tell if t' Keelhaul®©™® will hold up under such an arrangement.

Fin markin' is provided by a fin guide in t' instructions consistin' o' a circle with hash marks by which the end o' t' body tube is placed on t' circle and t' hash marks used as a guide for fin position markings. Ahoy! I had no problems usin' this although personally I would have preferred t' use a wraparound fin markin' guide. Arrr! Arrr! I then tacked the fins on with medium CA and followed this up with white glue for multiple fin fillets. Followin' on from this, the launch lug was added.

With t' exception o' usin' CA t' tack on t' fins, ya bilge rat, I used Selleys PVA (white glue) throughout t' construction process.

Finishing:
This rocket be a cinch t' finish. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! I filled in t' balsa fin grain and t' lovely balsa nose cone with two applications o' Micro-Fill model sealer and after havin' initially slightly roughened up t' body tube with 360 grit sandpaper, arrr, I gave t' rocket two coats o' Tamiya Fine White primer with light sandin' in betwixt and followed this up with two coats o' Tamiya Pure White enamel gloss for t' upper body tube, Black gloss for t' nose cone and Italian Red gloss for t' lower body tube and fins. I opted nay t' use a clear coat finishin' paint t' try keepin' down the rocket's weight.

After havin' allowed t' paint t' cure for a full week, matey, t' striped roll waterslide decals were then carefully applied. Aye aye! Avast! I found these t' be quite durable and easy t' apply.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Motor retention is by use o' a short and springy motor hook which has shown itself t' be quite durable.

T' first flight was with an A8-5 motor with three squares o' recovery waddin' due t' t' small field that I was launchin' from. Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket immediately went unstable upon launch and cartwheeled back down t' t' ground where ejection subsequently happened although thar be no damage. Avast, me proud beauty! Nay t' be deterred, me hearties, I loaded up with another A8-5 and this time the flight be perfect with a lovely straight boost t' around 270-280 feet.

Since then I have only used t' A8-5 motor as t' B6-6 and C6-7 motors could quite easily make for an out of sight flight!

Recovery:
T' Keelhaul®©™®/elastic recovery system has proven t' be very reliable and has held up t' repeated flights without problems. Ya scallywag! The Semroc-supplied 12" plastic parachute is o' excellent quality and has also proved t' be very durable. I also applied thin CA t' t' top o' t' body tube before paintin' so as t' lessen t' chances o' t' Keelhaul®©™® causin' any dentin' durin' recovery.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is an excellent skill level one rocket for a rocketry novice. Ahoy! Blimey! T' excellent Semroc components ensure that a novice will be able t' put together a nicely detailed scale rocket that should prove t' very durable and robust with the potential for hours o' fun.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5