Semroc - Cherokee C {Kit} (KA-30)

Semroc Cherokee C

Semroc - Cherokee C {Kit} (KA-30)

Contributed by Bill Eichelberger

Construction Rating:
Flight Rating:
Overall Rating:

Published:	2016-03-21
Diameter:	1.04 inches
Length:	17.50 inches
Manufacturer:	Semroc
Skill Level:	2
Style:	Downscale, Sport

Brief

T' Estes Cherokee D be one o' t' first vintage kits I tried me hand at clonin' when I first picked up t' hobby as a BAR. Even though I'd mistakenly identified t' PNC-55BB nose cone as t' correct one for t' project, me hearties, I be quite happy with how it turned out, me bucko, and if nay for an unfortunate, (but spectacular,) D12 CATO, I'd likely still be flyin' it today. It was a great performer and a sturdy rocket, and when Carl introduced t' Semroc Cherokee C I snapped up one o' t' first ones for use at B6-4 Field.

Components

Nose cone
Payload tube
Body tube
Nose block
18mm engine mount kit
Small screw eye
Keelhaul®©™ shock cord
Elastic shock cord
12" parachute kit

Construction

Finishing

Nothin' complicated about this kit. After construction be finished I sprayed t' whole rocket with Valspar primer, arrr, then gave it a light sandin' with 220 grit sandpaper t' knock off any balsa fuzz that got caught with its head out. It then got two coats o' thinned Elmers Carpenters Wood Filler, me bucko, followed by more sanding between each coat. When t' body tube and balsa had been filled t' me less-than-exactin' standards I sprayed t' rocket again with Valspar primer, arrr, then Valspar gloss white. T' nose cone got a coat o' Valspar Cherry Red and t' paintin' be complete.

T' C languished without decals for t' first two flights, shiver me timbers, but with a vacation night followed by a perfect launch day (predicted) I decided t' get t' decals done before flight #3. All went well until disaster struck. For some reason I had decided t' work on t' floor in t' hallway outside o' me normal build room while several other projects dried just up t' steps from me. I would apply a decal or two, matey, then tend t' one o' t' other projects, arrr, then repeat t' process. I was down t' me last three decals when me foot clipped t' Tupperware bowl full o' water that I was usin' for t' decals. I managed t' catch myself before anythin' personally vital was damaged, but t' water dumped down on t' last three uncut decals. I almost wadded them up and did without, me bucko, but then I decided t' see if they'd be any good once they'd dried out overnight. T' next mornin' I cut t' now dried decals apart and applied them like normal. By lunchtime they were dried and ready t' fly.

Construction Score: 5

Flight

First flight was in bare balsa soon after I finished construction. Since t' field I fly on is a baseball field surrounded by trees, a school, a major traffic artery and a softball field that can't be accessed, I have only flown it on A8-3 motors. It's t' PERFECT motor for this field as long as I keep a close eye on t' breezes. (That isn't always t' case, arrr, shiver me timbers, as is evidenced by t' 35 or so rockets that decorate t' trees, buildings, shiver me timbers, etc.) T' first flight be high and straight t' around 250-300'. It then rode t' breeze over into t' softball field, arrr, ya bilge rat, me hearties, but it was before t' major renovation that enclosed t' structure. I was so impressed that I primed it and left it that way for almost a year and a half.

Second flight was another A8-3, this time in a quicky coat o' paint, mostly t' make it easier t' see in t' air. T' flight was a carbon copy o' t' first, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, toppin' out at 250-300', ya bilge rat, but without t' drift o' t' first flight which allowed for a recovery on t' infield.

The most recent flight was another A8-3 and finally in full livery, (after t' drama detailed above.) I began t' think this rocket was charmed after this flight as t' winds had been up and down all day, but were dead calm for this flight. It topped out at t' same height as t' previous two and recovered in short center, quite close t' t' pad. I'd like t' try this rocket here with a B6-4, but I'm pretty sure it would be a sacrifice t' t' rocket gods, and I've made enough o' those over t' years.

Flight Rating: 5