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, and flew this kit in June 2004 t' celebrate t' 40th anniversary o' me first launch, ya bilge rat, an Astron Sky Hook back in June 1964. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! I was very pleased with t' result.

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

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

I have found, matey, with this and other Semroc kits that I've built, that the Keelhaul®©™® can burn through. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! 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. Still, Semroc provides very good suggestions on what and how t' get it t' look like the original version. Avast! Ahoy! And as a Retro-Repro bird, Semroc includes a water slide decal with t' Semroc logo, matey, ya bilge rat, me bucko, t' original Astron Sky Hook logo, and with the original dimensions, manufacturer, 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! Begad! All three flights were impressive for such a tiny model with very straight, fast boosts. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' longer delays ARE better. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! Mine be still coastin' up when t' ejection charge went off.

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

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. Aye aye! I did.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5