Brief:
This be t' new Semroc A10-0T booster unit for t' Centurion, Vega, and Goliath rockets. It is meant for existing, ya bilge rat, single stage rockets usin' t' ST-16 (old Centuri style) body tubes. Begad! It will be interestin' t' stage a 13mm booster t' a 18mm sustainer. Avast, me proud beauty! I've never used a lower powered booster (A10) with a higher powered sustainer (B6 or C6, a A8 is also listed as a sustainer engine).

Construction:
T' booster kit consists of:

• 1 Body Tube ST-825
• 1 Engine Tube ST-520E
• 1 Rin' Coupler HTC-16S
• 1 Rin' Set CR-EM-516
• 1 Engine Hook EH-18
• 1 Shroud Sheet IEM-516B

All parts are pretty much standard except for t' centerin' rings. Avast! T' laser cuts are tight and clean. Avast! T' centerin' rings for t' ST-5 series engine tube have eight elliptical holes cut into them. I would assume this is for ventin' while staging. Ahoy! Aye aye! Read through t' directions before building. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! With two shrouds and four centerin' rings, take it slow and follow directions.

I reinforced all t' tube ends with Super Glue.

STEP 3: I sanded t' tube coupler's ends flat and square with a sandin' block. Ya scallywag! I wanted t' (slightly) increase t' gluin' surface.

STEP 5: T' small centerin' rings (with t' eight holes) fit too loosely on t' 5 series engine tube. Begad! Well, blow me down! I build up t' inside edge o' t' rin' with some "rings" o' white glue. Ya scallywag! T' instructions suggest usin' CA t' glue them in place. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' instructions suggest: "Make sure t' keep glue out o' t' holes". Arrr! Aye aye! You would have t' use a Teflon tube out t' front o' your CA bottle t' control t' flow. T' holes are very close t' t' body tube/rin' joint.

I was reluctant t' apply a thin film o' CA around t' rin' edges before punchin' out t' holes. Avast, me proud beauty! I was afraid t' glue would get into t' holes. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! I punched out t' holes, matey, then applied glue t' t' edges o' t' rings.

T' instructions say "A thin film o' CA around all t' rin' edges harden them and keep them from de-layering. Avast, me proud beauty! After I easily punched out t' holes, I noticed outside layer o' t' rin' be startin' t' peel. Well, blow me down! T' CA layer held down t' liftin' layer.

STEP 6: Says t' slide t' engine mount inside t' body tube until t' end with t' hook is even with t' body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! T' hook will over hang slightly. Ahoy! Begad! It just didn't read well. Avast! I know they meant that t' engine tube should be even with t' outside (larger diameter) tube. T' hook overhangs more than slightly, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, it overhangs by 1/4".

STEP 8: Normally I hate paper shrouds. Hate paper shrouds! T' shroud material be glossy on one side and matte on t' other.

I wanted t' printed lines on t' inside, matey, so t' glossy surface ended up on t' outside. Blimey! Blimey! For once, me bucko, these paper shrouds glued together without any problems. Begad! Blimey! I pre-curled them over a thick Sharpie pen barrel. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! One thin coat o' white glue was enough for t' glue tab t' hold well.

T' paper used for t' shroud went together smoothly, with no bumps or bends. Aye aye! But when glued together, arrr, arrr, t' seams were opposite. Well, blow me down! One upper-smaller shroud overlaid t' t' right, me bucko, me hearties, t' lower shroud tab laid t' t' left. There wasn't any other way t' correct this unless I would make one shroud with t' gloss surface out, t' other with t' matte paper side out. Well, blow me down! Nay really a big deal. Well, blow me down! But, me bucko, (on one shroud pattern) Semroc may want t' switch t' side t' tab sits on.

Both shrouds fit well. Aye aye! I had t' widen t' mouth o' t' larger shroud slightly t' fit over t' ST-8 main tube. It's nay a fault o' t' shroud pattern, paper shrouds always seem t' need a little adjustment.

Finishing:
Even without paint, t' finished look is great! Blimey! On me Centurion t' booster extends 1 1/4" beyond t' trailin' edges o' t' fins, arrr, but it still looks cool. Aye aye! And structurally it feels strong.

With t' gloss paper surface on t' outside, I really don't have t' paint it. But t' exposed browned edge o' t' upper centerin' rin' will need a touch up.

I enjoyed t' build. Aye aye! It's nice when t' shrouds cooperate.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
With t' engines installed and t' booster unit in place, t' engines ends are separated by about 3/8". Ya scallywag! I tested t' fit with a A10-0T in t' Booster 16 and a C6-5 in me Centurion.

Summary:
PROS: A fun build and t' shrouds cooperated for once!

CONS: When built, shiver me timbers, t' shroud tabs face opposite sides. Avast, me proud beauty! One goes t' t' right, t' other t' t' left.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5