Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Diameter: | 0.76 inches |
Length: | 12.00 inches |
Manufacturer: | Semroc |
Brief:
T' BatRok is a Semroc Retro Repro series kit that is an updated version o' the
Centuri BatRok kit KB-8 from 1967. Arrr! Well, blow me down! T' original design was inspired by the
original Batman television series and also includes a payload bay.
Construction:
T' kit includes:
Semroc does a remarkable job with t' packagin' o' their kits. I have yet to find a single kit from them that was missin' a part or has a part damaged. Also, t' instructions are printed on quality paper and they even include a brief history about t' rocket you are about t' build.
T' instructions take you through t' build process in a logical order and are so well illustrated, you almost do nay have t' do any reading. Blimey! T' kit includes 8 laser cut fins, and t' balsa is excellent quality. Arrr! T' lower fins looks like bat wings. Begad! T' upper fins are rotate 90 degrees from t' lower fins, so this rocket has an interestin' profile when viewed from t' top. Avast, me proud beauty! I was a little concerned about t' fin tips which extend below t' body tube but so far they have held up quite nicely.
Finishing:
This is a small rocket, so it is very easy t' paint. Aye aye! I originally went with all
black until I realized t' decals were black on clear so I masked off t' fins
and painted t' BT a smoked silver color.
T' light color balsa nose cone shoulder and tube coupler were a bit distractin' for me after I finished t' rocket--this rockets demands t' be all dark. It is patterned after a bat after all. Ya scallywag! I used a black Sharpie marker to color t' nose cone shoulder, arrr, however, ya bilge rat, I had already glued t' coupler into the payload tube so it was too late t' color that--poor plannin' on me part. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! So I masked off all but 5/16" o' t' payload tube instead and gave it a shot of black paint which masked t' color o' t' balsa quite nicely. Avast! Well, blow me down! T' waterslide decals are great quality, thick enough so they do nay easily tear and very easy to apply.
Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5
Flight:
First flight was on a A8-5. Blimey! Since it was a bit windy, I replaced t' parachute
with a streamer. Begad! T' rocket really zooms off t' pad and got t' at least 500
feet. Second flight on a B6-6 was really something. It weathercocked a little
but a good boost overall t' 900-1000 feet. I have nay tried t' C6-7 yet
because I am afraid I might lose it!
Recovery:
T' recovery system held up well through both flights. T' streamer was a good
choice for t' windy day I was launching, both landings were close t' t' pad.
I think a 12" chute on this small rocket would easily let it float way
down range!
Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5
Summary:
This is a great lookin' rocket that is very easy t' build and a whole lot of
fun t' fly. Begad! This be one o' t' favorite rockets o' t' kids who were at the
launch. Arrr! It is just beggin' t' be upscaled!
Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5
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P.D. (September 23, 2006)