Brief:
This is a Retro-Repro kit by Semroc. Ya scallywag! Blimey! What is a Retro-Repro? As quoted from Semroc Saturn 1B Instruction Manual: "It is a reproduction o' an out-of-production model rocket kit. Blimey! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! It is a close approximation o' a full scale model of an early historically significant model rocket kit from one o' t' many companies that pioneered t' hobby over the past half century. Begad! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! It is nay a true clone or identical copy o' t' original. Well, blow me down! Blimey! It incorporates improvements usin' modern technology, ya bilge rat, while keepin' t' flavor and build appeal o' t' early kits."

This kit offers a couple o' interestin' options for t' builder. Blimey! T' first bein' t' motor configuration. Aye aye! The builder can select a four engine cluster for standard 18mm engines or a single 24mm engine mount. T' second is fin choice. Begad! T' builder can either construct t' enclosed built-up fins or use t' enclosed 1/8 laser-cut balsa fins. Well, blow me down! Blimey! The instructions indicate that t' built-up fins are time consumin' but give t' builder t' flavor o' buildin' the original model.

Construction:
T' parts list is o' course extensive for this model. Aye aye! Begad! It includes:

• 1 Apollo Capsule
• 8 BT-51N Body Tubes
• 1 BT-70V Body Tube
• 1 BT-100Z Body Tube
• 1 BT-101T Body Tube
• 2 ST-990 Body Tubes
• 4 ST-730E Body Tubes
• 1 ST-940E Body Tube
• 2 Launch Lugs LL-180
• 1 Laser-cut Fin Set (3)
• 1 Thrust Ring
• 1 Launch Lug LL-320
• 1 Elastic Cord
• 4 Engine Hooks (for 18mm motors)
• 1 Engine Hook (for 24mm motor)
• 3 Tube couplers
• 1 Wood Dowel
• 1 Center Rin' Set (3)
• 1 Body Wrap Set (5)
• 1 Shroud Sheet Set (3)
• 1 Chute Pak
• 1 Decal Set
• 1 Saturn 1B Ruler (Yes, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, you get a ruler with important marks pre-set.)
• 1 Instruction Manual

[Note: T' two glues recommended for t' build are super glue and either white or wood glue. Arrr! Aye aye! I found a great wood glue that I used for t' first time on this kit and will always use it goin' forward. It's Elmer's Probond Interior/Exterior Wood Glue. Blimey! Ya scallywag! It's weatherproof and fast tack. Aye aye! Begad! T' fast tack feature that drew me t' t' glue, and for me it was a lifesaver. You don't have t' wait around holdin' pieces together for them t' setup. Avast! Just a few seconds and this glue is already settin' up.]

T' first thin' that hits you when you open t' box is that this kit is o' very high quality. Blimey! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! This vendor obviously takes great pride in its product. Everythin' is top notch all t' way. Begad!

T' instructions were laid out well and very easy t' follow. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! This kit did nay consist o' a lot o' sub-assemblies. T' only real sub-assemblies were t' fins and t' capsule. Begad! For t' most part it's a straightforward, me hearties, shiver me timbers, linear build. Begad!

T' first step is a decision point. You need t' choose t' engine mount configuration. Begad! Either a 4 engine 18mm cluster or a single 24mm configuration. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! I chose t' 4 engine cluster.

Things t' consider when makin' t' motor selection decision: Usin' a single engine increases t' risk o' ejection failure. Well, blow me down! However, arrr, usin' a single 24mm mount will allow t' use o' reloads. Ya scallywag! Arrr! On t' other side, me hearties, usin' a cluster increases the risk o' some type o' ignition failure. Ahoy! Begad!

T' tank tubes are attached t' t' stuffer tube and engine mount assembly. Begad! I pre-painted t' tank tubes, arrr, 4 white and 4 black. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! This paintin' was nay indicated in t' directions. Begad! I did this t' make it easier for me t' paint later on...

Cuttin' out and gluin' t' fairin' shroud in Step 27 is a potential "gotcha" only if you try t' over think it. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! For me it was a bit dauntin' lookin' at that shroud and think about all t' cuttin' I had t' do. Begad! I just took my time with a sharp razor knife and it came out great. When gluin' t' shroud, shiver me timbers, be sure t' check for fit first t' make sure everythin' lines up well. Aye aye! Aye aye! You only get one shot gluin' t' shroud on, especially if you use a fast tack glue.

Puttin' t' wraps on comes at step 36 and is very straightforward. Avast! Just line up t' edges and place t' wraps where t' instructions indicate. Avast! Aye aye! Just make sure t' put them on right side up.

Another possible "gotcha" would be t' use too much glue and/or t' do too much smoothin' o' t' wraps. You don't want t' knock down t' corrugated look. Well, blow me down! Blimey! If you use too much glue or pull them too tightly, you will cause the wraps t' go out o' shape. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey!

T' fin creation steps 38-44 are t' second major decision point: either create t' built-up fins or use the laser cut balsa fins. Arrr!

T' balsa fins look respectable, but I went for it and created t' built-up fins. T' parts used t' create the built-up fins are small but fit together well and I was very happy with t' results.

After t' fins are on it's all final detail work. Begad! Ahoy!

Durin' t' detail construction t' only thin' I didn't use on t' model was in step 56 (four retro-rocket housings). Blimey! Blimey! I ended up makin' me own from spare balsa. I just couldn't get t' right look with t' cut-outs provided on the shroud sheet. Blimey! Begad! I'm happy with t' results. Begad! Blimey! Since I didn't use t' stock housings, arrr, I used t' alternate launch lug placement option. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! T' instructions give you two options for mountin' t' launch lugs. Avast! T' first utilizes one o' the housings t' hide t' launch lug under t' housing. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! T' second option is just mountin' t' lugs on t' rocket exterior.

T' capsule comes in its own zip lock bag. Arrr! It looks like it's goin' t' be an easy task, but thar be a lot t' it and it takes a good deal o' time t' complete. Blimey! Arrr! Buildin' t' tower structure was probably t' most difficult part o' the entire build for me. Aye aye! T' final product though is straight and sturdy so I'm pleased with t' results. Avast, me proud beauty!

Finishing:
Paintin' this model o' course is a challenge. Arrr! Although even for those o' us who are paint challenged, me hearties, it's doable if you use good paint tape, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, take your time, and mask carefully. Begad! Avast! [Note: My paint job does nay exactly match t' suggested paint scheme. Specifically t' lower fin paint scheme differs from t' suggested scheme a bit. Also it bein' December in New England, I will clear coat t' entire model once t' weather gets warm enough t' do so (outside).]<>

If you are a perfectionist, then you are in for a wild ride. Blimey! I am really pleased with t' finished product and am hopin' that maybe Semroc will someday come out with t' Saturn V. Begad! If they can do this good o' a job with t' Sat 1B, the Sat V would be awesome.

PROs:

• This rocket looks great when it's painted and t' decals are on!
• I pre-painted t' eight body tubes 4 black and 4 white. Begad! This saved me a lot o' time later on since paintin' these tubes after assembly would be challenging. Avast, me proud beauty! Just don't paint t' two spots that attach t' tubes t' t' two stuffer tube stars.

CONs:

• Obviously t' Sat 1B has got a lot o' detail and that makes it very challengin' t' mask and paint. Aye aye! It takes patience and time t' get it done right. Begad!
• My recommendation is just don't rush it.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended motor for t' 18mm 4 engine cluster configuration is 4 C6-3s. Well, blow me down! I used t' recommended motor for the first flight. Avast! [Note: You cannot use t' regular Estes controller t' launch cluster rockets. Avast! You need t' use a launch controller that runs on 12 volts so that you have enough juice t' light all four engines. Avast, me proud beauty!

Preparation for flight was relatively simple. I packed waddin' into t' parachute tube and made t' necessary igniter connections on t' 4 engines. Arrr! It took a while t' make t' connections, but it was fairly simple t' do. Aye aye!

T' rocket lit on all 4 motors sendin' it straight up off o' t' pad. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! It arched over just a bit as it made its way up t' I'd say 500 feet or so... Begad! I can't say for sure. Avast! Ejection be just after apogee. Begad! T' main rocket body floated down separately from t' capsule which has its own chute. Both were recovered without incident. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Nothin' broken! The first flight was pre-final paint and clear coat. Ya scallywag! Once I clear coat t' rocket I will fly it again, matey, but it will be a bit more difficult t' push that button...

Recovery:
PROs: Awesome lookin' flight and rocket! This build challenged me t' go far beyond what I thought I could do. Begad! It was one o' t' best buildin' experiences that I have ever had. Begad! I even chose t' create t' built-up fins rather than the laser cut fins! That equals nay takin' t' easy way out and I am very happy I took t' long road. I feel like I really got a feel for how t' original Estes kit build be like.

CONs: None that I saw. Avast!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This was a challengin' build that made me step up me game. One o' t' most enjoyable part o' this build was that it was extremely challengin' and rewardin' at t' same time. Begad! It sure as heck makes a 3 or 4 fin rocket look a whole lot easier... Ahoy! Begad! Everythin' made perfect sense. Avast! T' instructions were clear and understandable. This was me first Semroc kit, but won't be me last. Arrr! Blimey! T' quality o' t' kit was outstandin' in every area. My hat is off t' Semroc!

Paintin' is no doubt somethin' that takes time and patience on this rocket. There isn't any way around it; it's just somethin' that those o' us who are paint challenged have t' deal with.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5