Semroc Centurion

Semroc - Centurion {Kit} (KV-40)

Contributed by Ron Wirth

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Diameter: 1.64 inches
Manufacturer: Semroc
Skill Level: 2
Style: Clone, Sport
Semroc Centurion

Brief:
T' Centurion is another nice addition in t' Semroc Retro-Repro series o' rockets. Begad! For bein' a 4FNC rocket, it has some cool extras, me hearties, namely t' dual chutes, me hearties, ejection baffle and shape o' t' laser cut fins that lead me t' purchasing this rocket. Well, blow me down! I really like t' curved portion o' t' fin at t' aft o' t' rocket.

Construction:
This kit comes with 2 sections o' body tube, 1 coupler, shiver me timbers, 2 baffle centerin' rings, me hearties, 1 balsa nose cone, matey, 1 engine tube, matey, 1 engine thrust ring, 2 engine centerin' rings, 1 engine hook, 4 laser cut fins, 2 launch lugs, matey, arrr, 1 elastic shock cord, matey, arrr, 1 steel eyelet, matey, arrr, 2 12” plastic parachute kits, 1 decal sheet, ya bilge rat, matey, and 15 pages o' clear and detailed instructions.

This rocket is a very straightforward build. Avast, me proud beauty! It can easily be done in one sittin' followin' t' instructions. Arrr! Begad! The only "gotcha" that I experienced was in t' construction o' t' baffle. Arrr! Well, blow me down! I followed t' instruction for test fittin' t' baffle into both body tubes but only one at a time. Aye aye! Arrr! There was no sandin' needed so I glued one end into the body tube. When I went t' glue t' other section onto t' baffle, t' body tubes did nay line up correctly. Avast! I be able to sand it but it would have been much easier t' get straight if I could sand both o' t' centerin' rings at t' same time.

T' only other issue I had was with constructin' t' parachutes. Avast! It is tough threadin' t' shroud lines through the holes. I suggest usin' a toothpick t' make t' holes after you have applied t' tape discs t' t' plastic instead of a straight pin.

Semroc Centurion

Finishing:
I love t' look o' t' rocket in t' recommend black and white paint scheme. I used diluted Elmer's Carpenters Wood Filler t' fins and nose cone. After a quick sanding, arrr, I primed t' rocket with Kilz original primer. Well, blow me down! After a light sanding, I applied a solid white primer. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! I masked t' rocket t' paint t' lower section gloss white and t' upper section gloss black. Begad! Aye aye! T' decal that come with t' kit are some o' t' best I have every worked with. Ahoy! Blimey! You need t' trim the red stripe for t' fin and piece together t' stripe that goes around t' body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! T' only other decal is the rocket name.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I did me first launch at t' monthly MASA club launch. Well, blow me down! Avast! I loaded it with a B6-4. Since it has t' baffle I choose not put and waddin' in t' rocket. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! There was no meltin' o' t' plastic chutes so it appears that t' baffle be a success but I will use a little waddin' with t' larger motors. Aye aye! T' rocket went straight up and t' chutes deployed right at apogee. Blimey! One o' them got tangled and did nay unfurl properly but this was nay a problem as thar was no damage sustained upon landing. Begad! Avast! This was a near picture perfect flight with t' rocket landin' only 20 feet from t' launch pad.

Recovery:
T' recovery system consists o' an elastic cord attached t' t' baffle system and I used default length o' t' cord. It is attached t' nose cone thought t' screw eye. Ahoy! Blimey! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! Blimey! T' two 12” chutes are also connected t' t' screw eye. Begad! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! I choose t' use swivels t' be able t' change them out when needed.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a cool lookin' retro type rocket that is easy t' build. It is perfect for t' newer builders and offers the great extras for t' money. Begad! Blimey! T' recommended engine selections give it t' ability t' be launch on a small or larger field. I am very happy with t' rocket and will definitely look for other Retro-Repro kits from Semroc.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Semroc Centurion By John Lee (March 29, 2008)

    Brief: This rocket is a retro-repro, 18mm, standard 4FNC rocket with baffle ejection and dual parachute recovery system. Construction: The balsa sheet was within the instructions and was broken in many places parallel to the grain. One fin was broken into 2 pieces, the other three were broken into three pieces each. Let me hasten to add, I am NOT blaming Semroc for this. This ...

  • Semroc Centurion By Chan Stevens (June 7, 2007)

    Brief: The original Centurion was introduced in 1970 by Centuri and was one of the first rockets to introduce an ejection baffle system, eliminating the need for recovery wadding. This is good for long, slow flights, and a nice flier. Construction: The parts list: Balsa nose cone 2 ST-16 body tubes 4 Laser-cut balsa fins 18mm motor kit 2 12" plastic ...

  • Semroc Centurion By Bill Eichelberger (May 31, 2007)

    Brief: Originally a Centuri kit circa 1971-77, the Centurion was perfectly sized to fit in with the Estes Big Bertha and Semroc Vega. With 18mm power and an ejection baffle that all but eliminated the need for recovery wadding, the Centurion was another choice in the crowded field of skill level one birds that were perfect for flights from smaller fields. The Semroc version also ...

Flights

Comments:

avatar
H.C.M. (June 18, 2007)
A great kit, my review would agree with everything the reviewer wrote. Only one small problem from my end. The red stripe decals provided weren't quite long enough to go completely around the main body tube. It took some "piecing" together of two stripe decals. Not a big deal, but might be trouble for a younger modeler inexperienced with decals.

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