Brief:
This is another one o' Semroc’s "retro-repro" offerings--a modern-day release o' a classic style rocket, this single stage kit is a nice project for t' slightly experienced builder.

Construction:

• 2 ST-809 body tubes
• Tube coupler
• 18mm motor mount assembly
• Balsa nose cone
• Laser-cut balsa fins
• 12" plastic chute
• Keelhaul®©™/elastic recovery
• waterslide decal

Before beginnin' construction, arrr, t' you should decide which version o' this kit you want t' build, as thar are many different configuration options with t' assorted fin patterns (the booklet shows 12 configurations). Aye aye! I wound up choosin' one o' t' most complex versions, which wound up bein' a little more work than I had wanted t' put into this kit.

Construction begins with sandin' o' t' laser cut fins and removin' t' fins from t' pre-cut sheets. Aye aye! Begad! I have t' say whatever laser Semroc is usin' is top-notch, shiver me timbers, matey, as their fins come out very easily without any signs o' burns or chips. They even laser-etch t' company logo into each sheet o' balsa.

Most o' t' fin configuration options involve two-piece fin construction, so be prepared t' spend a bit o' time gluin' together t' forward and aft sections o' t' fins. Avast! Next, matey, mark t' body tube for t' fin mountin' lines. Avast! For me particular configuration, this included 4 "main" fin lines at 90-degree points on t' tube, plus 8 "trim" fins mounted evenly betwixt t' 4 main ones.

T' motor mount is a standard 18mm assembly o' tube, me hearties, motor hook, and a couple o' centerin' rings plus a ring/block inside. Begad! I was glad t' see that one o' Semroc’s modern-day improvements t' t' classic kits included t' use o' a Keelhaul®©™shock cord attached t' t' base o' t' motor mount.

T' kit comes with 2 body tubes, each o' which is about 9" long, joined with a coupler. Arrr! Ahoy! I'm sure this is related t' t' fact that they use genuine Centuri-sized body tubes, but I would have preferred t' see a single-piece tube, me bucko, ya bilge rat, which eliminates t' chance o' a visible seam line.

Fins are then attached per whichever configuration you've chosen. Aye aye! In me case, ya bilge rat, that meant 12 total fins bonded around a fairly small (0.9" OD) tube, which called for tweezers, ya bilge rat, as me fingers proved too large t' fit in betwixt small fin gaps.

T' build itself be fairly simple and straightforward, and t' directions were clear and well illustrated.

Finishing:
Finishin' proved t' be a serious challenge on this, mainly because o' me choice o' configuration (12-fin). Avast! With 12 fins in place, t' gaps are very difficult t' paint around, ya bilge rat, and it would probably have been easier t' pre-paint t' fins, matey, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, rather than attach them when t' body tube’s painted.

I went with t' color scheme on t' kit liner picture, which be a white tube, me bucko, red fins, and blue nose cone, all applied over 2 coats o' primer and plenty o' filler for all that balsa. Despite me efforts t' carefully mask t' fins and launch lug area, some o' t' red paint splotched through, and t' finished product doesn't quite live up t' t' standards o' craftsmanship I try t' meet.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
First flight was on a beautiful day, arrr, though slightly breezy with winds around 8mph. Ahoy! I went with a moderate choice: an Estes B6-6. Aye aye! T' rocket flew very well (with 12 fins, me bucko, stability shouldn't be a problem), ya bilge rat, weathercockin' slightly into t' wind.

T' 6 second delay was way too much for this. Ahoy! A 4 would probably still have been slightly past apogee and I'd go with that in t' future.

T' chute popped right out, matey, shiver me timbers, me hearties, bringin' t' Squire back down without any problems at all. Well, almost none. Blimey! There was a baseball game on a nearby field and it drifted right behind t' dugout. Begad! One o' t' players, thinkin' they were helping, went t' recover t' rocket and apparently didn't notice t' balsa nose cone, ya bilge rat, painted bright blue, which he stepped on. With cleats. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! I've got a very large gouge t' fill, though this obviously has nothin' t' do with t' flight itself.

Recovery:
Everythin' about t' recovery works fine.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I really like Semroc's retro kits (though I can't find a Squire in any o' me Centuri or Estes references). Arrr! Begad! Good quality, good designs, me bucko, and a pleasure t' build. Begad! Blimey! This one be no exception.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5