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

Construction:
T' kit came nicely packed with a colorful insert, matey, which also holds t' instructions. As you can see in t' photos, individual parts such as t' motor mount, matey, chute, shiver me timbers, fins, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, and miscellaneous small parts are all individually packaged. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! T' instructions are clear and include plenty o' diagrams. Blimey! 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, arrr, 3.75" long (exposed)
• 1 0.908" diameter body tube, 5.5" long
• 1 balsa transition, 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', me bucko, matey, includin' t' s/n (mine is #00033)

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

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

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

CONs: T' thrust rin' was missing. Well, blow me down! It probably isn't really necessary, 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. Well, blow me down! I painted t' body o' t' cone and fin roll patterns black (Testor's brush-on), ya bilge rat, and t' tip o' t' cone red (Painter's Touch spray).

T' decals are nice and thick. They were generally placed as shown on t' cover art. Avast! Arrr! T' thin stripe on t' cone be left off since t' whole cone portion be black and I added t' Semroc logo t' one o' t' white fins. Begad! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! 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! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! ARGH! Blimey! Another case o' nay testin' for compatibility! Blimey! T' clear coat made t' black paint run slightly. T' black both rolled down and wicked upward along t' border o' t' white and black patterns. Arrr! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Very odd--this be a first for me. Avast! Blimey! Maybe t' black paint be nay fully dry? I scraped and retouched and have it lookin' OK.

T' kit was easy t' finish and t' decals are nice. Begad! 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'), B6-4 (500'), me bucko, and C6-5 (950'). Arrr! So far, me hearties, I only have tried t' B6-4. Blimey! 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. Blimey! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! T' 12" parachute be perfect for this sized model.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is cool lookin' limited edition rendition o' a Centuri classic. 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