Semroc Tau Zero

Semroc - Tau Zero {Kit} (KN-2)

Contributed by Jamie Martin

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Diameter: 0.76 inches
Length: 16.00 inches
Manufacturer: Semroc
Skill Level: 2
Style: Futuristic/Exotic

Brief:
This is a futuristic kit with an unusually-shaped nose cone, forward-swept outer fins, and a rin' fin.

Construction:
T' kit contains:

  • -Balsa nose cone
  • -body tube
  • -rin' fin
  • -laser cut fins
  • -empty casing
  • -thrust ring
  • -engine hook
  • -retainin' ring
  • -1/8" launch lug
  • -launch lugs for ion cannons
  • -wooden dowels for ion cannons
  • -elastic shock cords
  • -screw eye
  • -Keelhaul®©™® thread
  • -streamer
  • -tape disk for streamer attachment
  • -glue applicator
  • -templates
  • -decals

T' instructions are well written and easy t' follow with plenty o' illustrations as with all Semroc kits. Ya scallywag! the body tube is minimum diameter so thar in no motor mount t' build you just tie t' Keelhaul®©™® thread t' a thrust rin' and glue it in usin' t' empty casing. I was surprised t' get an engine hook, this is held on by an exterior ring. Blimey! t' three inner fins were filled and sanded then went on over t' rin' holdin' on t' engine hook and were easily aligned usin' t' included fin alignment jig. Aye aye! t' three outer fins were also filled and sanded then glued onto t' rin' fin, t' ion cannons were glued on t' t' tip o' t' fins.

Finishing:
I gave t' rocket two coats o' primer then pained it (except t' nose) silver, me hearties, me hearties, I painted t' nose white then masked off part and painted t' rest silver. Arrr! Ahoy! Blimey! t' fins were painted red, me bucko, because I don't have orange.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I flew this on an A8-3 and a B6-4, both flights were stable. Aye aye! T' engine hook made preppin' a lot easier. Blimey! I planned to fly it on a C6-5 however it became t' windy.

Recovery:
T' supplied streamer was too small for this rocket so instead I used t' 12" chute I got with me Javelin. Avast! this brought it down slowly and it suffered no damage on either flight.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a very nice futuristic rocket that flies well. Begad! t' only downside be t' small streamer, t' 12" chute works well for me.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Semroc Tau Zero By Dick Stafford (March 28, 2010)

    ( Contributed - by Dick Stafford - 03/28/10) Brief: This is third and final kit that I received from the last 2009 Quarterly Rocket Give-Away so, once again, many thanks to Nick! The Tau Zero, as you all know, is a futuristic rocket from Semroc that flies on 18mm motors and recovers via a streamer. As of this writing, there are no less than seven great reviews on this kit. As a ...

  • Semroc Tau Zero By Peter Stanley (May 25, 2009)

    Brief: The Tau Zero is a Semroc original kit, which was designed by Jay Goemmer. It has an unusually shaped nosecone and forward swept fins that attach to a tube ring with additional fins underneath. It is designed for 18mm motors and uses streamer recovery. Construction: As with every Semroc kit I've built, the quality of components was excellent. The kit contained laser cut ...

  • Semroc Tau Zero By Tyler Jones (April 1, 2009)

    Brief: This rocket was designed by Jay Goemmer from Twin Falls, Idaho. I live in the same city (and know him) so I decided it would fun to try it out. The Tau Zero is of a really cool design and it has all the quality that Semroc is known for. Construction: The components that this kit came with are: 1 Rolled Balsa Nose Cone 1 Body tube ST-7100 (BT-20) 1 Body ...

  • Semroc Tau Zero By Robert Gustin (March 22, 2009)

    Brief: SEMROC's Tau Zero is a futuristic looking, fighter styled, single stage model rocket. Designed by Jay Goemmer, it has a long, bulbous nose cone, a ring tail with 3 forward swept fins capped by laser guns. Construction: In the kit you get: Balsa nose cone Main body tube Ring fin body tube Laser cut fins (3 outer fins, 3 inner fins) Engine hook ...

  • Semroc Tau Zero By Chan Stevens (February 22, 2009)

    Semroc has released a futuristic kit by guest designer Jay "Centuri Guy" Goemmer. The design was inspired by the Paul Anderson novel of the same name. It features both fin and ring stability, sharp-looking details, and a set of decals in alien language. Parts are the usual excellent Semroc quality: Balsa nose cone ST-7100 body tube (basically a thick-walled 18mm ID tube) ST-1622 ...

  • Semroc Tau Zero By Howard Smart (January 31, 2009)

    Brief: This is a small Sci-Fi looking model with forward swept fins, a ring fin and a bulging nose cone. Construction: The kit contains: Balsa Nose Cone Body tube (also serves as 18mm motor mount) Ring fin (body tube material) Sheet of laser cut 3/32 in. balsa fins - 6 all together, 3 inside and 3 outside ring fin Empty motor casing (spacer) Thrust ring ...

  • Semroc Tau Zero By Jewel B. Butler Jr. (January 11, 2009)

    Brief: This is a single stage combo ring fin and forward swept fin design. You don't get a lot of altitude, but you get style and stability. Construction: Semroc Parts-basically a BT-20 body tube and a BT-60 ring-fin and three forward swept fins with dowels on the ends of the wings.There is an engine hook that is attached out side the body tube but it is hidden by the ring ...

Flights

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