Brief:
T' Recruiter Space Probe, kit # KV-22, is a 'RetroRepro' version o' t' original Centuri kit (KC-30, circa 1967). It features a "Gemini-styled" capsule and six "Redstone type" fins. Arrr! Aye aye! T' fins thickness was increased t' 3/32", arrr, arrr, t' 'chute be downsized t' reduce drift, shiver me timbers, and t' rubber shock cord was replaced with a Keelhaul®©™ and elastic combo. This limited edition kit was provided as a 'thank you' t' people who have reviewed Semroc's products or otherwise promoted t' company. Avast, me proud beauty! Very classy!

Construction:
T' kit came nicely packed with a colorful insert, me hearties, which also holds t' instructions. Ahoy! Blimey! As you can see in t' photos, arrr, shiver me timbers, me bucko, individual parts such as t' motor mount, matey, chute, me bucko, shiver me timbers, fins, ya bilge rat, and miscellaneous small parts are all individually packaged. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' instructions are clear and include plenty o' diagrams. Arrr! Blimey! There is even a brief history o' Centuri and o' t' kit itself. Begad! Blimey! As with other Semroc kits, this one comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

So t' parts include (roughly from stem t' stern):

• 1 balsa nose cone, matey, 3.75" long (exposed)
• 1 0.908" diameter body tube, me hearties, 5.5" long
• 1 balsa transition, me bucko, me hearties, 1.625" long
• 1 1.34" diameter body tube, 8" long
• 1 screw eye
• 1 elastic cord
• 1 Keelhaul®©™ thread
• 
• 1 12" plastic chute (includin' tape discs and shroud lines)
• 2 1/8" lugs
• 6 laser cut balsa fins
• 1 thrust ring
• 1 engine hook
• 1 18mm motor tube
• 1 fiber retainer ring
• 2 centerin' rings
• 1 fiber coupler
• 1 waterslide decal sheet
• 1 small 'specification decal', includin' t' s/n (mine is #00033)

To build t' kit, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, you require all t' normal tools and supplies: white or wood glue, me hearties, filler, paint, shiver me timbers, sandpaper, me hearties, me bucko, ya bilge rat, etc. I used wood glue throughout. Avast, me proud beauty! This is a straightforward build and these are t' highlights:

• T' Recruiter sports a cool capsule-style balsa nosecone. Aye aye! T' thin neck got some reinforcement with thin CA.
• T' motor mount features both a hook and thrust ring. Arrr! T' Keelhaul®©™ leader is tied t' t' motor hook, and both are retained with a fiber ring. Avast! T' centerin' rings are thick and a fiber coupler, which fits betwixt t' rings, shiver me timbers, me bucko, further strengthens t' mount.
• T' six laser-cut fins are perfect. I'm now a big fan o' lasers.

PROs: Great parts, clear instructions, cool spacecraft styling, ya bilge rat, strong motor mount, Keelhaul®©™/elastic shock cord.

CONs: T' thrust rin' was missing. Avast, me proud beauty! It probably isn't really necessary, me bucko, ya bilge rat, arrr, but I replaced it with an Apogee 18mm-13mm centerin' ring.

Finishing:
Finishin' started with Fill 'n' Finish and Plasticote white primer. I couldn't resist makin' this look more 'Mercury Redstone-like' than t' cover art. I painted t' body o' t' cone and fin roll patterns black (Testor's brush-on), shiver me timbers, and t' tip o' t' cone red (Painter's Touch spray).

T' decals are nice and thick. Begad! Blimey! They were generally placed as shown on t' cover art. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' thin stripe on t' cone was left off since t' whole cone portion was black and I added t' Semroc logo t' one o' t' white fins. I also left off t' specification decal as it seemed too big for t' rocket.

I finished t' recruiter off with a coat o' Krylon clear coat. Blimey! Begad! ARGH! Another case o' nay testin' for compatibility! T' clear coat made t' black paint run slightly. Arrr! Well, blow me down! T' black both rolled down and wicked upward along t' border o' t' white and black patterns. Very odd--this be a first for me. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Maybe t' black paint be nay fully dry? I scraped and retouched and have it lookin' OK.

T' kit be easy t' finish and t' decals are nice. T' clear coat problem was mine and nay a fault o' t' kit.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended motors include t' A8-3 (200'), me bucko, B6-4 (500'), me bucko, and C6-5 (950'). Avast! So far, me bucko, I only have tried t' B6-4. Begad! T' flight be nice with ejection just past apogee.

Recovery:
I used dog barf waddin' and a square o' Estes paper t' wrap t' chute. Aye aye! Ahoy! T' 12" parachute was perfect for this sized model.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is cool lookin' limited edition rendition o' a Centuri classic. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! T' materials are great and t' finished product is solid.

My thanks again t' Carl and Sheryl at Semroc!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5