Semroc V2 (xKit)

Semroc - V-2 {Kit} (XES-K22) [2008-2013]

Contributed by Dick Stafford

Construction Rating: starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Diameter: 1.33 inches
Length: 11.25 inches
Manufacturer: Semroc
Skill Level: 2
Style: Scale

 

semroc_v2xkitBrief:
This be t' second Semroc V2 that I’ve built. Begad! You can see me earlier review elsewhere on this site along with (at least) one other opinion o' this kit. Well, blow me down! I won’t repeat a bunch o' background in this review and instead will focus on what I found and did differently. Well, blow me down! Most obviously, this build utilized scale fins whereas me previous V2 has t' larger semi-scale fins (laser-cut versions o' both are provided).

Construction:
Parts included:

  • One Semroc V2 xKit
  • Lead shot
  • 18” o' Keelhaul®©™ twine
  • 3/16” launch lug

T' first thin' I noticed was that neither t' nose or tail cones fit in t' BT-55 tube. Begad! Well, blow me down! This is nay uncommon and I easily sanded t' shoulders down. Aye aye! But then I noticed that neither be flush with t' tube. Ahoy! T' base diameter o' t' cone and t' top o' t' tail cone were too big. In addition, matey, t' tail cone looked like it got bigger in t' middle before it tapered back down. Aye aye! I started merely sanding, but then I took a sharp hobby knife and ran it along t' tube until it met t' cone’s overhang and trimmed t' excess off. Arrr! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! I then went back t' sandin' and even had t' backfill a few nicks that were too deep.

I decided t' ditch t' stock recovery components for a long piece o' Keelhaul®©™ twine. Avast! I tacked t' twine t' t' motor mount with CA and then wrapped it in a loose spiral. Avast, me proud beauty! I coated t' inside o' t' tail cone with 5-minute epoxy and twisted t' mount, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, wrapped with t' twine into position. Begad! I used t' provided dummy motor t' support t' mount durin' this process.

T' fins and trim components all were installed in accordance with t' original K-22 instructions downloaded from JimZ’s site. Nothin' else t' add here.

As noted in t' brief instructions, t' scale fin version requires additional nose weight. I referenced Semroc’s instructions, me hearties, this thread on YORF and a RocSim model t' determine how much nose weight be required. I used t' scale file found in that thread and modified it for me design (includin' a tweak t' t' fin position). Begad! Blimey! I drilled a 2.75” x 1/2” hole in t' base o' t' cone usin' me drill press. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! I also carefully torque t' cone while t' press be runnin' t' expand t' diameter a bit. Arrr! Blimey! I added enough lead shot (˜0.75oz, arrr, plus epoxy) so that it balanced t' model at ˜5.2” from t' tip without motor.

Finally, since I noticed some rod whip on me first V2 when powered with a C6-5, me hearties, I swapped t' provided 1/8” lug for a 3/16” lug.

Finishing:
Since I used t' scale fins, shiver me timbers, I decided that I’d try a scale-style paint job. Well, blow me down! I’ve always liked t' yellow/black patterns featured on t' first few rounds fired at White Sands so I decided t' pattern mine after round number two. I started with fillin' and sanding. Aye aye! When I went t' grab t' primer, I found I was out. Blimey! Ya scallywag! Instead, ya bilge rat, I used silver XMetals basecoat as a uniform base color. Ahoy! I used Testors' yellow spray and coincidentally, ya bilge rat, matey, silver was one o' t' recommended base colors. Avast! Ya scallywag! I masked t' roll patterns with Frog Tape and used Rustoleum black, sprayed into a plastic cup t' make it brush-on. Begad! Avast! T' Frog Tape didn’t work all that well for me. Avast! In retrospect, I knew that I should have used a light overcoat o' yellow t' seal t' edges, ya bilge rat, but hoped t' Frog Tape would stand up t' its claims. Aye aye! Begad! Bottom line - this is another ‘5-foot’ finish job.

I'm tryin' t' keep down ratin' inflation in me reviews and just couldn't call this an average kit due t' t' nose and tail cone issues. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! I added half a point because o' t' residual memory o' me first kit.

Construction Rating: 2 out o' 5

semroc_v2xkit_onthepadFlight:
T' first and only flight (so far) was on a C6-5. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! I also used a 12” nylon 'chute in place o' t' stock plastic one. T' boost be quite wobbly and it weathercocked a little.

Recovery:
It ejected close t' apogee and recovered in good shape. Ya scallywag! I started with a below average ratin' for flight/recovery because o' t' amount o' wobble on a recommended motor. Well, blow me down! Arrr! I bumped it t' average because it seems t' be quite robust.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
T' scale fins on this kit make it look a little better, arrr, me bucko, but t' penalty is added weight. Blimey! Begad! Even with t' recommended amount o' added mass it be marginal on t' heavier C6. Ya scallywag! I’ll try a B6 next. T' nose cone fit issue was easy t' correct, but I don't expect t' have t' in this day and age. Based on me past experience with Semroc, I know t' problems I had are nay typical and I bet they'd even replace it if asked. Well, blow me down! I'll count this instance o' this kit as average. Ahoy! I'd probably be more critical o' these shortfalls in other 4FNC kits. However, shiver me timbers, me hearties, arrr, thar be an inherent coolness factor in this retro kit.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Semroc V2 (xKit) By Chan Stevens (September 6, 2008)

    A "bag of parts" clone kit, in this case a reproduction of the K-22 V-2. For many modelers, this was their first introduction to scale model rocketry. The V-2 was a German developed missile, and as WWII drew to a conclusion, it was the most capable rocket in the world. When America brought Werner von Braun and his crew over from Germany, the V-2 knowledge gave us the much needed jump start to ...

  • Semroc V2 (xKit) By Dick Stafford (August 2, 2008)

    The V2 xKit is a reproduction of Estes K-22, which was originally released in 1965. Like the original, it flies on 18mm motors and features balsa nose and tail cones. The xKits don't come with instructions but, since they are classics, copies of the original instructions are available on-line. This was my favorite rocket as a kid, and I couldn't resist grabbing one. The parts list: ...

Flights

Comments:

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D.S. (September 17, 2008)
Nice paint job, Chan. I was going to do that style before I chickened out!

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