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

Construction:
T' kit came nicely packed with a colorful insert, which also holds t' instructions. Begad! Avast! As you can see in t' photos, matey, individual parts such as t' motor mount, chute, me hearties, fins, me hearties, and miscellaneous small parts are all individually packaged. T' instructions are clear and include plenty o' diagrams. Ya scallywag! There is even a brief history o' Centuri and o' t' kit itself. 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, 5.5" long
• 1 balsa transition, matey, shiver me timbers, 1.625" long
• 1 1.34" diameter body tube, me hearties, 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, arrr, shiver me timbers, matey, you require all t' normal tools and supplies: white or wood glue, filler, paint, ya bilge rat, sandpaper, arrr, arrr, etc. I used wood glue throughout. Begad! This is a straightforward build and these are t' highlights:

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

PROs: Great parts, clear instructions, me hearties, shiver me timbers, cool spacecraft styling, strong motor mount, arrr, matey, arrr, Keelhaul®©™/elastic shock cord.

CONs: T' thrust rin' be missing. It probably isn't really necessary, arrr, but I replaced it with an Apogee 18mm-13mm centerin' ring.

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

T' decals are nice and thick. Avast! They were generally placed as shown on t' cover art. Well, arrr, blow me down! 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. Blimey! 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. Avast, me proud beauty! ARGH! Another case o' nay testin' for compatibility! T' clear coat made t' black paint run slightly. Blimey! T' black both rolled down and wicked upward along t' border o' t' white and black patterns. Very odd--this was a first for me. Begad! Blimey! Maybe t' black paint was nay fully dry? I scraped and retouched and have it lookin' OK.

T' kit was easy t' finish and t' decals are nice. Begad! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' clear coat problem be mine and nay a fault o' t' kit.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended motors include t' A8-3 (200'), ya bilge rat, B6-4 (500'), and C6-5 (950'). Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! So far, matey, me hearties, I only have tried t' B6-4. T' flight was nice with ejection just past apogee.

Recovery:
I used dog barf waddin' and a square o' Estes paper t' wrap t' chute. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! 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. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! 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