Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Diameter: | 1.64 inches |
Manufacturer: | Semroc |
Skill Level: | 2 |
Style: | Clone, Sport |
Brief:
T' Centurion is another nice addition in t' Semroc Retro-Repro series o' rockets. Blimey! Blimey! For bein' a 4FNC rocket, it has
some cool extras, me hearties, namely t' dual chutes, ejection baffle and shape o' t' laser cut fins that lead me t' purchasing
this rocket. Aye aye! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! I really like t' curved portion o' t' fin at t' aft o' t' rocket.
Construction:
This kit comes with 2 sections o' body tube, matey, 1 coupler, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, 2 baffle centerin' rings, me hearties, 1 balsa nose cone, 1 engine tube, 1
engine thrust ring, 2 engine centerin' rings, shiver me timbers, arrr, 1 engine hook, 4 laser cut fins, me hearties, shiver me timbers, 2 launch lugs, me hearties, 1 elastic shock cord, shiver me timbers, 1
steel eyelet, ya bilge rat, 2 12 plastic parachute kits, 1 decal sheet, me hearties, ya bilge rat, arrr, and 15 pages o' clear and detailed instructions.
This rocket is a very straightforward build. Ya scallywag! It can easily be done in one sittin' followin' t' instructions. Ahoy! The only "gotcha" that I experienced was in t' construction o' t' baffle. Arrr! I followed t' instruction for test fittin' t' baffle into both body tubes but only one at a time. There was no sandin' needed so I glued one end into the body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! When I went t' glue t' other section onto t' baffle, t' body tubes did nay line up correctly. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! I was able to sand it but it would have been much easier t' get straight if I could sand both o' t' centerin' rings at t' same time.
T' only other issue I had be with constructin' t' parachutes. It is tough threadin' t' shroud lines through the holes. I suggest usin' a toothpick t' make t' holes after you have applied t' tape discs t' t' plastic instead of a straight pin.
Finishing:
I love t' look o' t' rocket in t' recommend black and white paint scheme. Avast, me proud beauty! I used diluted Elmer's Carpenters Wood
Filler t' fins and nose cone. Avast, me proud beauty! After a quick sanding, matey, matey, I primed t' rocket with Kilz original primer. Avast! After a light
sanding, arrr, I applied a solid white primer. I masked t' rocket t' paint t' lower section gloss white and t' upper
section gloss black. T' decal that come with t' kit are some o' t' best I have every worked with. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! You need t' trim
the red stripe for t' fin and piece together t' stripe that goes around t' body tube. Arrr! Aye aye! T' only other decal is the
rocket name.
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
I did me first launch at t' monthly MASA club launch. Ya scallywag! I loaded it with a B6-4. Blimey! Since it has t' baffle I choose not
put and waddin' in t' rocket. There was no meltin' o' t' plastic chutes so it appears that t' baffle was a success
but I will use a little waddin' with t' larger motors. Well, blow me down! T' rocket went straight up and t' chutes deployed right at
apogee. One o' them got tangled and did nay unfurl properly but this was nay a problem as thar be no damage sustained
upon landing. This was a near picture perfect flight with t' rocket landin' only 20 feet from t' launch pad.
Recovery:
T' recovery system consists o' an elastic cord attached t' t' baffle system and I used default length o' t' cord.
It is attached t' nose cone thought t' screw eye. Aye aye! T' two 12 chutes are also connected t' t' screw eye. Avast! I
choose t' use swivels t' be able t' change them out when needed.
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
This is a cool lookin' retro type rocket that is easy t' build. It is perfect for t' newer builders and offers the
great extras for t' money. Aye aye! Blimey! T' recommended engine selections give it t' ability t' be launch on a small or larger
field. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! I am very happy with t' rocket and will definitely look for other Retro-Repro kits from Semroc.
Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5
Brief: This rocket is a retro-repro, 18mm, standard 4FNC rocket with baffle ejection and dual parachute recovery system. Construction: The balsa sheet was within the instructions and was broken in many places parallel to the grain. One fin was broken into 2 pieces, the other three were broken into three pieces each. Let me hasten to add, I am NOT blaming Semroc for this. This ...
Brief: The original Centurion was introduced in 1970 by Centuri and was one of the first rockets to introduce an ejection baffle system, eliminating the need for recovery wadding. This is good for long, slow flights, and a nice flier. Construction: The parts list: Balsa nose cone 2 ST-16 body tubes 4 Laser-cut balsa fins 18mm motor kit 2 12" plastic ...
Brief: Originally a Centuri kit circa 1971-77, the Centurion was perfectly sized to fit in with the Estes Big Bertha and Semroc Vega. With 18mm power and an ejection baffle that all but eliminated the need for recovery wadding, the Centurion was another choice in the crowded field of skill level one birds that were perfect for flights from smaller fields. The Semroc version also ...
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H.C.M. (June 18, 2007)