Semroc Launch Missile

Semroc - Launch {Kit} (KN-4)

Contributed by Jewel B. Butler Jr.

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Diameter: 1.34 inches
Length: 16.00 inches
Manufacturer: Semroc
Skill Level: 1
Style: Sport
Semroc Launch Missile

Brief:
This is a single stage rocket basically a BT-55 that transitions t' a BT-20 with nose cone and four fins. Begad! Ahoy! This be a kit from Semroc, one o' t' best companies that I have ever bought supplies from. Semroc gave these kits as an incentive prior t' NARCON. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! And t' best part about this kit it be made in t' United States o' America

Construction:
These are Semroc part numbers: BC-720 nose cone, me bucko, BR-713 reducer, ST-760 and ST-1380 (body tubes which basically are a BT-55 and BT-20), BT730E engine mount tube, arrr, CR-KN-4 (center rin' and flutes for t' tail decoration), FN-4 laser cut fins, ya bilge rat, matey, and t' regular stuff: screw eye, matey, launch lug, arrr, Keelhaul®©™® thread and elastic cord combo, and decals.

Instructions were easy t' follow thanks t' t' good graphics. Avast! Blimey! It took me about 2hrs t' complete t' kit. I did this kit in sections. Ahoy! First t' engine mount, matey, then t' reducer, shiver me timbers, me hearties, me hearties, BT-720, ya bilge rat, and nose cone. Begad! I put a light coat o' wood glue and water mix on me balsa parts then stuck everythin' together. I added a 1/2oz o' clay t' nose cone just in case I put in a D18mm engine. Begad! Blimey! I also used a 3/16" launch lug instead o' t' one supplied because we hardly ever use 1/8" rods.

Semroc Launch MissileSemroc Launch Missile

Finishing:
I started with some gray primer then two coats o' Rustoleum metallic silver. Blimey! This be t' best paint on t' market that you can buy off t' shelf. It gives a beautiful finish but you have t' be careful t' use a base coat otherwise the material will absorb t' gloss. Begad! I used all t' decals except t' one that went over t' fins. Arrr! Avast! They were a little too small for me hands and I couldn't find those darn tweezers. Arrr! Pros were it is a snap t' build.

Semroc Launch Missile

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
Flights were great on two B6-4s then I used a C6-5. Blimey! T' chute got a little tangled but every thin' came out OK. Begad! I used about 2 inches o' dog barf wadding. Begad! Begad! Put t' engine in with t' engine holder holdin' t' engine in securely. Put that baby on t' pad after t' rain stopped and whoosh it was gone.

Recovery:
T' recovery was OK for t' first two flights. Then t' chute got fouled on t' third flight. T' kit uses a combo of Keelhaul®©™® and elastic.

Semroc Launch MissileSemroc Launch Missile

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a easy t' build kit that flies great. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! I almost built it with a rin' fin. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Maybe I'll do that later.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Semroc Launch Missile By Steven Gill (April 20, 2018)

    This is a kit by Semroc. This was the first time I have assembled a rocket like this. Assembled March 2018. Kit was dated February 2, 2009 Components 1 Balsa Nose Cone BC-720 1 Balsa Reducer BR-713 1 Body Tube ST-760 1 Body Tube ST-1380 1 Body Tube ST-730E 1 Ring Set CR-KN-4 4 Laser Cut Fins FN-4 1 Engine Hook EH-28 1 Chute Pak CP-12RY 1 Screw ...

  • Semroc Launch Missile By Dick Stafford (July 20, 2009)

    Brief: Well, it took me so long to fly this rocket that there are already a couple of good reviews. But since I already had started my review, I might as well offer my opinion too. Earlier this year, LAUNCH Magazine commissioned Semroc to produce a kit based on the missile depicted in their logo. The result is the LAUNCH Missile (i.e. The Rocket that Launched a Magazine ...

  • Semroc Launch Missile By Chan Stevens (July 13, 2009)

    Brief: When Launch Magazine when on a roughly 6-month "hiatus" towards the end of 2008, as a gesture of appreciation to their subscriber base they teamed up with Semroc to release a kit version of the rocket depicted within their magazine's logo. When the kit release was announced at NARCON 2009, all current subscribers of Launch Magazine got a free special edition of the ...

Flights

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