Brief:
Reproduction clone o' Estes' Astron Sky Hook circa 1963; single stage, parachute recovery

Construction:
T' parts list:

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

I bought, me hearties, arrr, built, me hearties, me hearties, and flew this kit in June 2004 t' celebrate t' 40th anniversary o' me first launch, me bucko, me bucko, arrr, an Astron Sky Hook back in June 1964. I was very pleased with t' result.

T' instructions, as with all o' Semroc's instructions, nay only allow a complete neophyte t' build t' kit but serve as a positive example for other kit makers. Begad! T' illustrations are great and profuse. Well, blow me down! Begad! It's almost hard nay to follow t' instructions as written and everythin' fit together exactly as it should. Gettin' t' thrust rin' started into t' tube was a bit tricky but once in t' included empty casing, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, that made it simple t' get into place.

T' brin' this design into t' 21st century, a few changes were made. Avast, me proud beauty! No cut-tube-slot for shock cord. Ya scallywag! Instead a Keelhaul®©™® thread on t' thrust rin' and elastic shock cord are used. Well, blow me down! Otherwise part for part, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, this is a faithful reproduction. Ahoy! All construction was done with t' most common materials, wood glue, tape, shiver me timbers, hobby knife and sandpaper. Avast, me proud beauty! An engine hook is not used. Avast, me proud beauty! This bird relies on t' original maskin' tape friction fit and does so easily. Aye aye! T' laser cut fins are particularly good. Ahoy! I don't know what method they use compared t' others, but it's far easier t' get t' fins out o' the balsa stock without strainin' or damage.

I have found, with this and other Semroc kits that I've built, that the Keelhaul®©™® can burn through. In me opinion, t' LOC method o' embeddin' t' anchor in glue partway up t' tube or even t' traditional Estes folded-paper anchor is preferable.

Finishing:
This is straight forward and completely up t' t' builder. Begad! Avast! Still, Semroc provides very good suggestions on what and how t' get it t' look like the original version. Ya scallywag! And as a Retro-Repro bird, matey, me hearties, Semroc includes a water slide decal with t' Semroc logo, t' original Astron Sky Hook logo, me bucko, ya bilge rat, and with the original dimensions, manufacturer, and date it was manufactured listed.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Recommended motors are regular A/B/C motors with longer delays due t' t' light weight o' this rocket (1/2 ounce). Avast, me proud beauty!

I flew it on an A8-3, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, B6-4, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, and B6-6. All three flights were impressive for such a tiny model with very straight, fast boosts. Avast, me proud beauty! T' longer delays ARE better. Aye aye! Mine be still coastin' up when t' ejection charge went off.

Recovery:
After 3 flights thar's slight charrin' on t' Keelhaul®©™® cord. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! I expect t' repair this before flyin' again. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! T' parachute did get some char marks but I take t' hit for that. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! I tried t' scrimp on t' waddin' since the tube was so narrow. Bad move. Aye aye! Ahoy! I used a streamer on t' third flight. Avast! It was perfectly adequate. Blimey! Aye aye! For a C flight, a shiny mylar chute should be used as this bird WILL disappear on you.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Only CON: Keelhaul®©™® cord tied directly t' thrust rin' and directly in t' path o' ejection gas.

PRO: Anyone could build and fly this as a first rocket. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! I did.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5