Semroc SLS Scorpion

Semroc - SLS Scorpion {Kit} (KV-18)

Contributed by Joe Policy

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Diameter: 1.34 inches
Length: 27.90 inches
Manufacturer: Semroc
Skill Level: 2
Style: Sport

Brief:
Semroc Large Scale (SLS) reproduction o' t' Centuri Scorpion Space Probe from 1965.

Semroc SLS Scorpion

Construction:
T' kit includes:

  • 1 body tube
  • 1 engine tube
  • 1 balsa nose cone
  • 1 set laser cut fins
  • 1 thrust ring
  • 1 launch lug
  • 1 screw eye
  • 1 elastic cord
  • 1 Keelhaul®©™® thread
  • 1 nylon parachute
  • 1 24mm engine mount
  • 1 set decals

Semroc kits come with exceptionally high quality parts and clear instructions and t' SLS line is no exception. Well, blow me down! T' parts come in little Ziploc bags and assemblies are bagged together so you do nay have parts lyin' all over the place durin' assembly. T' first assembly be t' 24mm engine mount/adapter which includes an engine hook for motor retention.

T' engine tube is 29mm and is very sturdy with thick walls just like the main body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! A large thrust rin' is glued inside t' main body tube along with t' Keelhaul®©™® shock cord mount. Begad! Blimey! One minor complaint is that thar be no motor retention included for t' 29mm motors, me bucko, me bucko, so you must use friction fit.

T' basswood fins are laser cut and need very little sanding. There is a little typo on step 6 where it tells you t' sand t' "three fins". T' kit actually includes four fins.

T' body tube is already slotted t' accept t' TTW fins. Begad! Blimey! T' engine tube is just below t' slots which gives t' fins somethin' t' grip to. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! All that is left is t' mount t' launch lug and attach t' nose cone and nylon parachute, which is already assembled.

Finishing:
Stock paint scheme is all white with a black nose cone. Aye aye! Blimey! I chose t' deviate a bit since I had some silver paint I needed t' use up. T' fins and nose cone are such high quality, I only needed one coat o' sandin' sealer t' smooth things over. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Two coats o' primer and three colors later, t' rocket was finished. Avast! Blimey! Semroc includes very sturdy waterslide decals that were easy to apply.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
Its only flight o' t' day was on a D12-5 usin' t' 24mm engine mount. I used four sheets o' waddin' since I did nay want t' singe that pretty, bright yellow rip-stop nylon chute. Nice straight boost t' about 1000 feet and t' rocket was recovered with no damage. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! I am awaitin' some F25 motors t' give this rocket a real test. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! RockSim predicts almost 3600 feet on that motor!

Recovery:
T' nylon parachute be just perfect for this rocket.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Semroc works hard t' provide high quality kits at reasonable prices. Ya scallywag! T' SLS line shows their commitment t' high standards. Begad! Ya scallywag! T' Scorpion flies great as an LPR and I can't wait t' fly it as an MPR very soon!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Semroc SLS Scorpion By Michael Mangieri

    Brief: The SLS Scorpion is Semroc's Large Scale (SLS) reproduction of the Centuri Scorpion Space Probe from 1965. CONSTRUCTION: ( 5 out of 5) I've only purchased a couple of rockets from Semroc, but I must tell you, I am very impressed with the quality of the kits in general and the way the kits are packaged. Packaging of the Scorpion is typical of most rocket kit man ...

Flights

Comments:

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S.E.J. (May 21, 2005)
A little history: The Scorpion was offered from 1965 to 1971. It flew on Centuri's line of "Atlas" and "Mini-Max" E motors. These were (about) 29mm black powder motors. The Estes E9 is a fairly close match to some of the long burning Mini-Max motors. The 1971 version also listed the Enerjet E24 as a recommended motor. An Aerotech RMS E23 or single-use E24 is a fairly close match.
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C.S. (December 18, 2005)
I held off on moving up to SLS, a little put off by the pricing. I wound up picking this one up, though, and was very impressed by the materials and what you get for the money. 24mm motor adaptor is a good example. Nylon chute is another. This kit is worth all the 5's in the reviews.

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