Semroc Golden Scout

Semroc - Golden Scout {Kit} (KV-4)

Contributed by Frank Casey

Diameter: 0.77 inches
Length: 7.10 inches
Manufacturer: Semroc
Skill Level: 1
Style: Sport
(Contributed - by Frank Casey - 03/29/08) Semroc Golden Scout Semroc Golden Scout

Brief:
This is a reproduction o' t' original Scout introduced by Vern Estes back in t' 1960s. Blimey! Blimey! Back in t' day, it sold for a mere 70 cents and introduced millions o' people t' model rocketry.

Construction:
Parts list:

  • 1 balsa nose cone (BNC-30DE)
  • 1 body tube (BT-30AP)
  • 1 laser-cut fin set
  • 1 engine catch hook
  • 1 retainin' wire
  • 1 Tyvek reinforcin' strip
  • 1 launch lug

T' Tyvek reinforcin' strip replaces a gauze strip that be provided with t' original #K-1 kit.

Semroc Golden Scout T' quality o' Semroc parts is second t' none so as always all parts are top notch. Aye aye! Blimey!

T' instructions, as be t' case with every Semroc kit I have built, shiver me timbers, are excellent. Begad! Blimey! They include crisp and clear diagrams t' backup t' well written steps.

This kit was different than any I have built before. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! Once I opened t' package and began examinin' t' component parts, I felt like I was taken back in time t' when Vern and Gleda first introduced this kit. Begad! I felt as if I was buildin' somethin' from a time past. Aye aye! It be a very cool feelin' t' say t' least. Begad! Aye aye!

T' build itself was straightforward but different due t' t' engine catch hook, retainin' wire, and Tyvek reinforcin' strip.

Two things t' note:

  • It's important t' take your time when fittin' t' Tyvek strip over t' engine catch hook in order t' get a good smooth fit.
  • In order t' seat t' engine retainin' wire without it lookin' like a wire runnin' along t' side o' t' fin, I used a good number o' glue fillets over t' wire until I got a smooth lookin' finish.
Semroc Golden Scout

Finishing:
I found no cons while buildin' this kit. Arrr! Blimey! As I said it was straightforward but at t' same time a unique build. I really had t' sense that I was buildin' somethin' from a time past.

I used wood filler on t' nose cone, fins, arrr, and nose cone transition t' t' body tube in order t' get a smooth finish. Begad! Begad!

Paintin' be relatively easy and quick due t' t' diminutive size o' this rocket. I applied two coats of Rustoleum Painter's Touch Gray wet or dry sandable primer, sandin' in between. Avast! Then I followed up with two coats of Champion Sprayon 24kt Gold Spray Enamel. Aye aye! Ahoy!

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
I will need t' submit t' flight logs in July. Ya scallywag! This rocket will be takin' flight on July 4, arrr, 2008, in celebration of the 50th anniversary o' Vern and Glenda Estes and all that they have contributed t' this wonderful hobby. Well, blow me down!

If you want t' take part in this 50th Anniversary event, just pickup your Golden Scout from Semroc, matey, paint it gold, fly it in July o' this year, ya bilge rat, and register your flight with Semroc. Blimey! Vern and Glenda will mail you a commemorative certificate celebratin' t' 50th anniversary and commemoratin' your flight. Avast, me proud beauty! It just doesn't get any better than that!

Thanks t' Carl, ya bilge rat, Sheryl and Bruce at Semroc, Ken Montanye "the Rocket Doctor o' Ye Olde Rocket Forum", Vern and Glenda Estes, arrr, and everyone else who helped t' make this event possible!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Semroc Golden Scout By Dick Stafford (June 2, 2008)

    Brief: While buying some parts and supplies, I decided to go ahead and grab a Golden Scout to commemorate the Vern and Gleda's 50 years of contributions to this educational and fun hobby. Without their efforts, sport rocketry might not even exist today. There are already several good reviews here on EMRR, so I'll assume you've read them. There's no reason to repeat everything. ...

  • Semroc Golden Scout By Mike McFadden (June 1, 2008)

    ( Contributed - by Mike McFadden - 06/01/08) Brief: This is Semroc's commemorative release for the 50 years of contributions to rocketry from Vernon and Gleda Estes, the founders of Estes model rockets. This was one of the first kits released by Estes. It is a unique design as it tumbles back to earth after flight. Each kit is assigned a unique number and can be registered at ...

  • Semroc Golden Scout By Chan Stevens (March 6, 2008)

    Brief: The original Scout was designed by Vern Estes, and was awarded a patent in 1960 for achieving tumble recovery via a shifting CG. The motor slides back via the ejection charge. This became catalog # K-1 and is among the most beloved nostalgic designs. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Model Rocketry, the "rocket doctor" Ken Montanye teamed up with Vern ...

Flights

Comments:

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S.N. (June 7, 2008)
Mike McFadden, Did you deliberately attach the fins to your Golden Scout in the wrong manner? I see no mention of why you did this in your review. I would have thought in appreciation of the way Vern designed this model most builders would show appreciation him by building the Scout as he originally intended.
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O.B. (June 17, 2008)
I wonder why Mike McFadden glued his fins on by the trailing edge. He makes no mention in his article of a choice to be different--it looks pretty good with a really retro flair. I hope he'll let us know how it flies come July.
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J.R.B.III (June 23, 2008)
Mr. McFadden....You messed up! You glued the trailing edges of the fins to the tube instead of the root edges. I recommend not flying it that way. Although remembering the God-awful ruggedness of the Scout, it MIGHT fly and survive...

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