Brief:
T' OSO is another superb Retro-Repro kit from Semroc. Avast! Arrr! This rocket is based on t' original Oso kit by Flight Systems, arrr, Inc but with several improvements. While t' rocket appears nay much more that a 3FNC kit, matey, it does contain a payload section and an ejection baffle. Begad! At a finished length o' just over 30”, shiver me timbers, matey, t' rocket is a nice additional to anyone's fleet. Arrr! I ordered t' rocket o' t' Semroc website and it be delivered t' me home smartly and securely packaged.

Construction:
T' OSO kit is rated a skill level 1 kit from t' manufacturer. Avast, me proud beauty! I would probably rate it at a 1.5 if you have never built a rocket before. Ahoy! T' instructions are easy t' follow and well organized with great illustrations. Aye aye! All the components in this kit were typical high quality material that I have come t' expect from Semroc. Arrr!

T' rocket is assembled like most other kits. Begad! I built it t' stock with t' exception o' paperin' t' fins. Begad! Ya scallywag! They are quite thin and really flexible. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! It would be easy for them t' break durin' construction if you are nay careful. My only other real grip with t' construction be t' way Semroc instructs you t' mark where t' fins go on t' body. Instead o' havin' a paper wrap that fits on t' tube, you have t' hold t' rocket securely down against t' instruction sheet fin guide t' place t' marks around t' body tube. Aye aye! This is kind o' awkward.

T' only other thin' out o' t' ordinary be t' construction and installation o' t' baffle. Well, blow me down! T' system uses two smaller tubes and a pair o' centerin' rings t' form a chamber for t' ejection particle t' get trapped so there is no need for recovery wadding. Well, blow me down! You will also be attached t' shock cord t' one end o' t' baffle. You must make sure that t' two centerin' rings dry symmetrically so that t' assembly will easily fit into t' main body tube. Ahoy! The baffle needs t' be inserted into t' body tube about 4-5” from t' top o' t' tube. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Be sure t' use glue that will not dry too smartly so that it can be put all t' way in place. Well, blow me down! I appreciate t' fact t' Semroc includes a long cotton swab t' be used as a glue applicator for this step. Begad!

Finishing:
T' finish for this rocket is quite simple. Avast, me proud beauty! T' instructions cover how t' get a professional lookin' rocket with a little elbow grease. Ahoy! Since I papered t' fins and t' balsa nose cone be extremely smooth with very little wood grain ridges, I primed t' rocket with Kilz Original spray primer. I sanded it and then applied a couple coats o' gloss white. Blimey! T' color scheme in t' instructions has an optional red nose cone which I decided t' do. Arrr! T' finish t' rocket, you apply t' decals. Semroc's decals are probably t' best I have ever worked with from a vendor. Blimey! Blimey! They go on so easy with no worries o' tears.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
This rocket can be launched on 18mm A, matey, shiver me timbers, B, and C motors. Aye aye! For t' first flight I chose a B6-4. Aye aye! T' rocket went straight up off t' launch pad. Begad! T' tip o' t' rocket was pointin' down when t' parachute ejected. Arrr! There be evidence that the two rocket parts snapped back into each other on ejection. Avast, me proud beauty! This is described in t' Recovery section o' t' review. Other than that I be very satisfied with t' flight.

Recovery:
T' rocket uses a 12" plastic parachute for recovery which is fine for this size rocket. As mentioned earlier, the baffle be t' rocket eliminates t' need for recovery wadding. Avast! When buildin' t' rocket I was worried about the length o' t' shock cord. It is about 24” long with 6” o' it used inside t' body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! As a result from the upper body tube snappin' back into t' lower rocket tube, thar was a dent in t' balsa coupler. This happened a second time with t' next launch too.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I like t' components, me bucko, looks, and performance o' this rocket. I definitely will increase t' shock cord length before the next flight. Arrr! I would recommend this t' a rocket beginner or veteran lookin' for somethin' different in a kit. Arrr! Aye aye! The baffle allows you t' smartly prep t' rocket for t' next flight. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! It is well worth t' price o' $17.50.

PROs: Baffle, payload section, matey, shiver me timbers, improved OOP kit

CONs: Shock cord length, matey, fin markin' guide

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5