Semroc Magnum Hornet

Semroc - Magnum Hornet {Kit} (KV-69)

Contributed by Jason Orosco

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Diameter: 1.33 inches
Length: 19.80 inches
Manufacturer: Semroc
Skill Level: 1
Style: Clone, Sport
Semroc Magnum Hornet

Brief:
I'll try and repeat what's in t' other reviews, arrr, t' Semroc Magnum Hornet is Retro-Repro o' t' Centuri Magnum Hornet with a 18mm motor adapter and 12" cute replaces t' Streamer and Keelhaul®©™® thread/elastic shock cord replaces t' rubber band from t' old Magnum Hornet.

Construction:
T' instructions are well written and easy t' follow with quality parts, what I like that Semroc includes t' 18mm motor adapter in this kit which is o' high quality. Begad!

Startin' with t' fins be sandin' lightly each side o' laser cut fins and cuttin' them out and roundin' the leadin' and trailin' edges. Begad! T' 24mm engine mount is easy t' assemble what I did was take a empty 24mm engine casing and wrap 320 grit sand paper t' smooth t' inside o' t' RAH-5055 t' rings slide easily on t' motor mount tube. Another thin' I like about this build be t' Keelhaul®©™® thread attaches t' engine hook, matey, Also surprise was wrappin' t' maskin' tape around t' engine tube and addin' a light coat o' glue that was some thin' new t' me. Aye aye! Pretty straight forward with t' rest o' t' assemble attach the mount,fins,launch lug,gluin' t' fillets and screw eye t' t' nose cone. Last step 18mm engine adapter I use a empty 18mm engine casin' with 320 grit sand paper t' smooth out t' 2 AR-2050. Well, blow me down!

Finishing:
I applied 2 coats o' sandin' sealer t' t' fins and nose cone, used 320 grit sandpaper t' sand smooth, me hearties, added a third coat o' sandin' sealer, matey, arrr, and sanded smooth. Ya scallywag! I spray painted a light coat o' white primer, let it dry, then sanded it smooth again. Ahoy! Usin' Valspar gloss black, I painted t' nose cone and one fin. Tapin' off t' already painted fin, I used Valspar bumble bee yellow t' finish t' rocket. Begad! I let t' rocket dry for two days and applied t' decals. Avast, me proud beauty!

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
First flight I used a Estes A8-3. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! It be a nice flight and landed close t' t' pad. Second flight be on a Estes B6-4. Ya scallywag! Another nice flight a little walk t' recover this rocket. Third flight was on Estes B6-4 for another nice flight.

Recovery:
T' 12" chute works great on this rocket and makes it a nice small field flier. Begad!

Semroc Magnum HornetSemroc Magnum Hornet

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
PROs: 18mm adapter included in t' kit, matey, Keelhaul®©™® thread, me bucko, and 12" chute. Aye aye!

CONs: None. Ahoy! Blimey!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Semroc Magnum Hornet By Eldred Pickett (August 1, 2009)

    This was my first Semroc kit, so it was all new. It's a reproduction of an old Centuri kit with a few updates. There is an exploded-view diagram so you can see how the pieces go together. It also serves as a parts list showing how many of each part should be there. The parts were well laid out. The fins came on a laser-cut balsa sheet. This rocket also has a balsa nose cone for all your ...

  • Semroc Magnum Hornet By Matthew Bond (July 21, 2009)

    Centuri Engineering Company was started in the early 60s and was one of the early pioneers in the model rocket industry. Centuri was sold to Damon Corporation in the late 60s and maintained their product line separately from Estes until 1983. The Magnum Hornet was produced by Centuri from 1980-1983 and is unique in that it was one of a handful of Centuri kits comprised entirely of Estes parts. ...

  • Semroc Magnum Hornet By John "MAX" Venable (June 25, 2009)

    Brief: A lightweight, fast flier possibly capable of supersonic speed. Construction: This baby was a fun build. I loved every minute of it. The kit contains high quality parts. A straightforward build, but I tweaked it. This kit was built entirely with epoxy with microballoons for added strength and sandability, so she can fly on AeroTech E-30s. I replaced the balsa fins with ...

  • Semroc Magnum Hornet By Peter Stanley (May 24, 2009)

    Brief: The Magnum Hornet is a Semroc Retro-Repro of a Centuri model. It is designed for 24mm motors but includes an 18mm adapter. Recovery is via 12" parachute. I ordered my kit from Semroc directly and had it within two days. Construction: The kit includes a balsa nosecone, one BT-55 body tube, a 3/16" launch lug, water slide decals, an elastic shock cord, Kevlar ...

  • Semroc Magnum Hornet By Jeff Lane (May 12, 2009)

    Brief: Chan's build experience exactly fit my own so I'll try not to repeat. The Magnum concept is simple: large motor, small rocket, and it actually makes more sense today than it did when originally marketed. I got my kit from Apogee, and it was damage-free. Construction: It is extremely easy to build and all the components are of high quality. Smooth, perfectly formed nose ...

  • Semroc Magnum Hornet By Chan Stevens (April 26, 2009)

    Semroc has gone "retro repro" again, bringing out a modern reproduction of one of the last Centuri designs before the Damon Corporation consolidated their product line under the Estes brand. The kit, although a Centuri model, featured Estes parts in its day. The Semroc reproduction features laser-cut fins, a balsa nose cone, and upgraded Kevlar/elastic shock cord, plus includes a chute ...

Flights

Comments:

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D.F. (June 21, 2009)
I had the original Centuri version of this kit but installed a 29mm mount in it instead of the 24mm and made the fins out of 3/32" plywood. It was one high flier! I regularly launched it on Composite Dynamics E20s and SSRS E30s. 2000-2500' flights, easily. Never had the guts to launch it on an F67 though. This was a well designed and stable rocket; it always flew straight with the heavier composite engines I used. I would have a friend launch it and I would be about 500ft away to track it easier. This rocket would be 200-300 feet in the air before I would hear the first sounds of the engine thrusting! Had a 25' streamer on it, which would barely be visable at ejection. I miss that rocket.
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M.G. (August 12, 2009)
My opinion is look at all the reviews + flight logs for this recent Semroc release! This is a super kit, and everyone should have one!

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