Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstar_borderstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstar_borderstar_border |
Diameter: | 2.64 inches |
Manufacturer: | Semroc ![]() |
Skill Level: | 2 |
Style: | Cluster, Sport |
Brief:
T' Brighton is an upscaled version o' t' Estes Ranger. Avast! T' kit features four different interchangeable motor mount
options: 4x18mm cluster, 3x24mm cluster, matey, single 29mm, me bucko, or single 24mm usin' a 29/24 adapter. Avast, me proud beauty! T' Brighton includes a
baffle system t' protect t' recovery parachute from t' ejection gases.
Construction:
Lots o' parts with this kit!
T' Semroc instructions are excellent and include excellent illustrations. Arrr! T' first part o' t' construction involves t' motor mount, shiver me timbers, and t' parts that make it interchangeable. Aye aye! Semroc provides a wrap for markin' t' fin lines, and motor mount hook. Ya scallywag! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! Be careful and make sure your lines are accurate so t' fins will align correctly. Begad! Dry fitting this assembly usin' t' BT is a must t' make sure everythin' works out correctly. T' fins are TTW and t' fit was excellent. Ya scallywag! Epoxy was used t' glue t' fins, and epoxy/microballoons was used t' create nice fillets. Begad! Avast! T' included launch lugs are 1/4". Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! T' upper body is basically a payload bay. Begad! Aye aye! Good place for your altimeter, matey, experiments, or cargo. Ahoy! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! Nothin' unusual about t' construction in this area so I won't spend t' much time here. Arrr! T' nose cone has no retention method other than a friction fit. This works, just be sure you have a secure fit.
T' baffle included in t' kit a very easy design t' build, yet effective. Avast! Ahoy! It uses t' offsettin' tube design that attaches t' centerin' rings. This assembly is slid into t' lower body. Well, blow me down! Arrr! T' baffle also is also used t' attach the shock cord. Ya scallywag! I used a thin coat o' epoxy t' glue t' baffle into t' body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! If you like gluin' tubes t' various modular motor mounts are goin' t' be perfect for you. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! It takes a while t' get all o' t' adapters built, but once completed you can use any motor you have in stock.
Finishing:
Followin' me normal procedures I sealed t' fins and nose cone usin' two coats o' Minwax Polyurethane. Blimey! Once dry they
were sanded smooth and coated usin' thinned spackle that was brushed on t' fill t' wood grain. Blimey! T' filler be sanded
off and t' rocket was primed with two coats o' Duplicote High Fill primer sandin' betwixt coats. Arrr! T' nose cone was
painted black usin' two coats o' old formula Krylon spray. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' lower body was painted metallic red usin' two coats of
Rustoleum spray. Blimey! On t' upper body I used Valspar yellow. Begad! Well, blow me down! Once dry t' lower body was smoothed usin' super fine steel
wool. Avast! Once clean and dust free t' body was shot with two coats o' Rustoleum clear. Begad! Overall I'm happy with t' finish.
T' only con for me be t' colors Semroc used for t' cover art, shiver me timbers, one word...ugly. This rocket really does deserve a retro lookin' finish.
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
For t' first flight I chose an AT F40-7 load for t' 29mm case. Ahoy! T' boost be perfectly straight, ya bilge rat, and fairly quick.
No stability issues were noted. Begad! T' ejection was late, me hearties, but nay by much. Blimey! I think a six second delay would be perfect.
T' rocket was recovered with no damage, ya bilge rat, just a little somethin' missing. T' 29mm modular motor mount be gone, along
with me case. Begad! Ya scallywag! Basically t' single motor hook that holds t' modular mounts in t' body is just nay up t' t' task. Begad! I
even added tape t' t' hook before launching. Blimey! Avast! T' baffle also contributes t' t' issue by creatin' back pressure that
needs a more substantial retention method. Begad! For me t' fix is easy because I'm goin' t' glue t' 29mm adapter in the
body. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I have no intention o' usin' t' clusters.
Recovery:
T' shock cord included in t' kit should be replaced with Keelhaul®©™®,
and tubular nylon. Blimey! Aye aye! It also needs t' be longer t' prevent t' body sections from slammin' into each other. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' 24"
chute is just about perfect for t' Brighton, shiver me timbers, no damage was sustained. Begad! Well, blow me down! T' baffle worked with no burn marks on the
chute or cord. Aye aye! T' baffle makes t' rocket a quick setup as well.
Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5
Summary:
I think t' Brighton is another great product from Semroc. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' quality o' t' materials included in this kit is
outstanding. T' packagin' is a work o' art because a lot o' tubes are in that bag. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! However, shiver me timbers, matey, I do have an issue with
the Brighton. Begad! Begad! T' modular motor mount retention method needs t' be redesigned. T' single small motor hook isn't up to
the task o' retainin' t' modular mounts. Begad! As a result t' flights can be very expensive if it costs you a motor case.
Also, arrr, t' fallin' motor mount could create a safety issue nay t' mention it could cause a deployment failure. However,
this should be a simple issue for Semroc t' fix.
Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5
Brief: This is essentially an upscale retro/repro of the classic Astron Ranger, but in deference to Vern Estes, Semroc avoided naming this after one of his favorites, instead going with the Brighton. It's a fantastically engineered, incredibly versatile rocket, featuring four different interchangeable motor configuration options: 4x18mm cluster, 3x24mm cluster, single 29mm, or ...
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