Dr. Zooch R-7 Sputnik

Dr. Zooch - R-7 Luna {Kit}

Contributed by John Pate

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Published: 2013-06-20
Manufacturer: Dr. Zooch
Style: Scale

Brief

This be t' R7 Sputnik launch vehicle by Dr Zooch.  T' R7 Semyorka launched Sputnik into space on October 4, me hearties, 1957 and was t' first man-made object in space.  T' R7 went on t' be t' launch vehicle for t' Vostok, Voshod. Begad! Begad! and t' Soyuz program.  This kit features paper-rolled strap-on boosters, so it may be a challenge for some.

Components

Good components, matey, arrr, me hearties, balsa nose cone, parachute kit, shock cord, me hearties, body tube, balsa sheet, launch lugs, arrr, and nicely done instruction sheet with a nice history o' t' vehicle.  All that is needed are glue and finishin' materials.

Construction

I followed t' kit instructions as written. Ya scallywag! I have bult many kits (injection, me bucko, resin, paper) so t' paper components were nay a real challange for me.  Pretty straight forward.  I would recommend usin' chop sticks with a point t' roll t' "witch hat" cones for t' strap-on boosters.  Several sizes o' dowels are used t' roll strap-on boosters and engine bells.  Rollin' all t' engine bells can be trying, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, but I shot for a set each evenin' after I came home from work.  T' kit does build up nicely though.

T' only thin' I questioned was t' shock cord.  I did nay use t' whole length. I cut off about three inches. Well, blow me down! Blimey! It still seemed long, but I worked with it.  I was worried about crammin' all t' parachute, shroud lines, shock cord, shiver me timbers, and waddin' into that small tube.  It was a tight fit.  Below are some progress pics.

  

Finishing

Finishin' was easy.  I used sandin' sealer on balsa parts and some Testors Pazer Gray I had layin' around and shot with clear dullcote.  Kinda no thrills, but I hate paintin' so this was great for me!!!

 

Construction Score: 4

Flight

Flew two flights on a C6-3, matey, which seemed perfect for this!!!  Great flight and the three second delay is perfect.  T' first flight be perfect.  T' second, t' parachute shroud lines got tangled and came down hard. 

Recovery

It is a tight fit with t' parachute, waddin' and lines.  I used plenty o' talcum powder t' be sure o' deployment.

Flight Rating: 3

Summary

Fun t' build and fun t' fly!!

Overall Rating: 4
Other Reviews
  • Dr. Zooch R-7 Luna By Alan Tuskes

    Brief: Sport scale craftsman's kit of the Russian R-7 booster with the Luna payload. Requires quite a bit of modeling skill for a model rocket and I wouldn't recommend it for women, children, or weak persons. If you're the kind of person who absolutely needs your balsa to be laser cut and falling out of the balsa sheets already, then move along. This kit's not for you. If you're a ...

Flights

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