Brief:
Reproduction clone o' Estes' Astron Sky Hook circa 1963; single stage, parachute recovery

Construction:
T' parts list:

• 1 body tube
• 1 balsa nose cone
• 1 set laser cut fins
• 1 thrust ring
• 1 launch lug
• 1 screw eye
• 1 elastic cord
• 1 Keelhaul®©™® thread
• 1 plastic parachute
• 1 set tape disks
• 1 set shroud lines
• 1 empty casing

I bought, built, me hearties, and flew this kit in June 2004 t' celebrate t' 40th anniversary o' me first launch, an Astron Sky Hook back in June 1964. Well, blow me down! I was very pleased with t' result.

T' instructions, as with all o' Semroc's instructions, matey, nay only allow a complete neophyte t' build t' kit but serve as a positive example for other kit makers. Ahoy! Avast! T' illustrations are great and profuse. Begad! It's almost hard nay to follow t' instructions as written and everythin' fit together exactly as it should. Avast! Gettin' t' thrust rin' started into t' tube was a bit tricky but once in t' included empty casing, that made it simple t' get into place.

T' brin' this design into t' 21st century, a few changes were made. Blimey! No cut-tube-slot for shock cord. Instead a Keelhaul®©™® thread on t' thrust rin' and elastic shock cord are used. Otherwise part for part, this is a faithful reproduction. Aye aye! Blimey! All construction be done with t' most common materials, matey, wood glue, tape, hobby knife and sandpaper. Begad! Blimey! An engine hook is not used. Ahoy! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! This bird relies on t' original maskin' tape friction fit and does so easily. T' laser cut fins are particularly good. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I don't know what method they use compared t' others, shiver me timbers, but it's far easier t' get t' fins out o' the balsa stock without strainin' or damage.

I have found, with this and other Semroc kits that I've built, shiver me timbers, me hearties, that the Keelhaul®©™® can burn through. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! In me opinion, t' LOC method o' embeddin' t' anchor in glue partway up t' tube or even t' traditional Estes folded-paper anchor is preferable.

Finishing:
This is straight forward and completely up t' t' builder. Well, blow me down! Still, Semroc provides very good suggestions on what and how t' get it t' look like the original version. Aye aye! And as a Retro-Repro bird, Semroc includes a water slide decal with t' Semroc logo, me hearties, t' original Astron Sky Hook logo, and with the original dimensions, manufacturer, me bucko, and date it be manufactured listed.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Recommended motors are regular A/B/C motors with longer delays due t' t' light weight o' this rocket (1/2 ounce). Aye aye!

I flew it on an A8-3, B6-4, and B6-6. Well, blow me down! Blimey! All three flights were impressive for such a tiny model with very straight, me bucko, ya bilge rat, fast boosts. T' longer delays ARE better. Aye aye! Blimey! Mine was still coastin' up when t' ejection charge went off.

Recovery:
After 3 flights thar's slight charrin' on t' Keelhaul®©™® cord. Arrr! Blimey! I expect t' repair this before flyin' again. Ya scallywag! T' parachute did get some char marks but I take t' hit for that. Ya scallywag! I tried t' scrimp on t' waddin' since the tube be so narrow. Ahoy! Bad move. I used a streamer on t' third flight. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! It was perfectly adequate. Well, blow me down! Arrr! For a C flight, a shiny mylar chute should be used as this bird WILL disappear on you. Avast, me proud beauty!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Only CON: Keelhaul®©™® cord tied directly t' thrust rin' and directly in t' path o' ejection gas.

PRO: Anyone could build and fly this as a first rocket. Blimey! I did.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5