Semroc Squire

Semroc - Squire {Kit} (KA-3) [2003-]

Contributed by Chan Stevens

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Diameter: 0.91 inches
Manufacturer: Semroc
Skill Level: 1
Style: Futuristic/Exotic

Semroc Squire

Brief:
This is another one o' Semroc’s "retro-repro" offerings--a modern-day release o' a classic style rocket, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, this single stage kit is a nice project for t' slightly experienced builder.

Construction:

  • 2 ST-809 body tubes
  • Tube coupler
  • 18mm motor mount assembly
  • Balsa nose cone
  • Laser-cut balsa fins
  • 12" plastic chute
  • Keelhaul®©™/elastic recovery
  • waterslide decal

Before beginnin' construction, shiver me timbers, matey, t' you should decide which version o' this kit you want t' build, as thar are many different configuration options with t' assorted fin patterns (the booklet shows 12 configurations). Avast! Well, blow me down! I wound up choosin' one o' t' most complex versions, ya bilge rat, which wound up bein' a little more work than I had wanted t' put into this kit.

Construction begins with sandin' o' t' laser cut fins and removin' t' fins from t' pre-cut sheets. Ya scallywag! I have t' say whatever laser Semroc is usin' is top-notch, arrr, as their fins come out very easily without any signs o' burns or chips. Well, blow me down! They even laser-etch t' company logo into each sheet o' balsa.

Semroc Squire Most o' t' fin configuration options involve two-piece fin construction, so be prepared t' spend a bit o' time gluin' together t' forward and aft sections o' t' fins. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! Blimey! Next, me hearties, mark t' body tube for t' fin mountin' lines. For me particular configuration, me bucko, matey, this included 4 "main" fin lines at 90-degree points on t' tube, plus 8 "trim" fins mounted evenly betwixt t' 4 main ones.

T' motor mount is a standard 18mm assembly o' tube, shiver me timbers, motor hook, ya bilge rat, and a couple o' centerin' rings plus a ring/block inside. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! I be glad t' see that one o' Semroc’s modern-day improvements t' t' classic kits included t' use o' a Keelhaul®©™shock cord attached t' t' base o' t' motor mount.

T' kit comes with 2 body tubes, each o' which is about 9" long, arrr, joined with a coupler. Avast! Ya scallywag! I'm sure this is related t' t' fact that they use genuine Centuri-sized body tubes, matey, but I would have preferred t' see a single-piece tube, which eliminates t' chance o' a visible seam line.

Semroc Squire Fins are then attached per whichever configuration you've chosen. Blimey! Blimey! In me case, matey, that meant 12 total fins bonded around a fairly small (0.9" OD) tube, which called for tweezers, matey, matey, as me fingers proved too large t' fit in betwixt small fin gaps.

T' build itself was fairly simple and straightforward, me bucko, and t' directions were clear and well illustrated.

Finishing:
Finishin' proved t' be a serious challenge on this, mainly because o' me choice o' configuration (12-fin). Arrr! Blimey! With 12 fins in place, t' gaps are very difficult t' paint around, me hearties, and it would probably have been easier t' pre-paint t' fins, rather than attach them when t' body tube’s painted.

I went with t' color scheme on t' kit liner picture, which was a white tube, red fins, and blue nose cone, me hearties, matey, shiver me timbers, all applied over 2 coats o' primer and plenty o' filler for all that balsa. Well, arrr, blow me down! Despite me efforts t' carefully mask t' fins and launch lug area, some o' t' red paint splotched through, arrr, and t' finished product doesn't quite live up t' t' standards o' craftsmanship I try t' meet.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
First flight was on a beautiful day, me hearties, though slightly breezy with winds around 8mph. Blimey! I went with a moderate choice: an Estes B6-6. Arrr! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! T' rocket flew very well (with 12 fins, me bucko, stability shouldn't be a problem), me bucko, ya bilge rat, weathercockin' slightly into t' wind.

T' 6 second delay was way too much for this. Arrr! Aye aye! A 4 would probably still have been slightly past apogee and I'd go with that in t' future.

T' chute popped right out, bringin' t' Squire back down without any problems at all. Ahoy! Well, ya bilge rat, almost none. Well, blow me down! There was a baseball game on a nearby field and it drifted right behind t' dugout. Avast! One o' t' players, thinkin' they were helping, went t' recover t' rocket and apparently didn't notice t' balsa nose cone, ya bilge rat, painted bright blue, which he stepped on. Ya scallywag! With cleats. Begad! I've got a very large gouge t' fill, though this obviously has nothin' t' do with t' flight itself.

Recovery:
Everythin' about t' recovery works fine.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I really like Semroc's retro kits (though I can't find a Squire in any o' me Centuri or Estes references). Avast! Ahoy! Good quality, shiver me timbers, good designs, me bucko, and a pleasure t' build. Avast! Avast! This one was no exception.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flights

Comments:

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B.E. (August 4, 2004)
The Squire is a Semroc original design. Great review. What's that "W" stand for anyway?
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D.L. (August 26, 2004)
You will not find Centuri or Estes info about the Squire because it is an original Semroc design and was just introduced.
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J.A.L. (February 13, 2008)
Chan's review is right on with my experience. The Squire was my first BAR rocket and has become a sentimental favorite. I try to launch it once on each outing and as of 9 Feb 2008, it has 25 successful flights. I have replaced the chute with a mylar streamer but other than that, mine was built like Chan's.

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