Brief:
Semroc's SLS (Semroc large scale) range is one of the best ranges out in model rocketry. This rocket is an upscale of an old Estes rocket. The quality of everything is outstanding.

Construction:
The kit contains:

• a body tube, 12.25" long
• nose cone
• 3 laser cut basswood fins
• a 29mm motor tube
• 3/16" launch lug
• a thrust ring
• a screw eye
• knicker elastic shock cord and Kevlar®® thread
• bright orange 18" nylon parachute
• one 24mm engine mount adapter kit
• waterslide decal

The quality of the kit hits you as soon as you open the bag. Everything is individually bagged. The instructions are on thick quality paper with a color outer in a booklet form. The individual components are top range especially the body tube and mounts. Kevlar® cord, and a good (but too big) nylon parachute. After building lots of Estes kits this is a real pleaser.

Construction is simple. I used standard tools and white wood glue to build everything. I was a bit concerned about using wood glue as I eventually want to use a 29mm motor and wood glue could fail and the rocket "re-kit" itself.

There are no "gotchas" except that wood glue is low tack and the 29mm motor mount had a tendency to move around a bit whilst drying.

The fins are attached through the wall, but they have the smallest of tabs and glue directly to the 29mm motor mount. I still worry about 29mm motors. I filleted the fins four times just to be on the safe side.

The instructions are so clear and every part so well made that there is nothing here that would challenge anyone that has built a few rockets before.

Finishing:
I decided not to follow the color scheme on the instruction booklet and went for a rather boring fin and nose cone paint job.

There are next to no spirals on the body tube, so one coat of sealer and primer and the rocket body tube looks good.

The decal is waterslide and provided you take your time and add a bit of washing up liquid to the water it goes on fine.

What I should have done is varnished or clear coated the rocket--I did not do this and after 3 flights the decal is chipping off. I do not consider this a flaw in the kit, just me being lazy!

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
I used a C11-5 as my first motor. The adapter has little to hold it in place other than friction. If you do not want to use a 29mm motor, then it is probably best to glue the adapter in.

The parachute has plenty of space in the body tube. I used Nomex® wadding and a swivel.

The first two flights were on C11-5s and the rocket moves on this motor. It certainly was not underpowered.

The third flight was on a D12-5 which sent the rocket high.

I'm a bit scared to fly on an E as my flying field has too many trees near by, but I want to fly on a 29motor eventually!

I think the recommended delay of 7 on the D motor is too long. 5 seconds was perfect for me.

Recovery:
The recovery was slow. The parachute is oversized and the rocket hangs in the air forever. If there is a wind you will be chasing it for some distance. After three flights I will swap to a 15 inch nylon chute with a 3 inch spill hole. I might get brave and try an E motor.

With a strong build it might even be worth trying a 12 inch chute.

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
This is a great kit for anyone who wants to move up from Estes model rockets to mid power. The adapter allows good flights on C11 motors, which allow the rocket to be flown on smaller fields.

With the strong body tube and other quality parts this rocket, it is much more hardy than an Estes type D rocket. The only possible con is that it cost more than an Estes rocket, but I'd rather pay for the quality and it could just be that UK prices are more than USA.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5