Semroc Gee'hod

Semroc - Gee'hod {Kit} (KA-15)

Contributed by Frank Casey

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Diameter: 1.84 inches
Length: 9.50 inches
Manufacturer: Semroc
Skill Level: 1
Style: Goonybird, Odd-Roc

quest_geehodBrief:
This is a Groonie, arrr, arrr, which I guess is somethin' like a first cousin t' t' Estes Goonybird. Ya scallywag! I actually purchased two o' these from Semroc, shiver me timbers, one t' build and fly and one t' add t' t' kit collection inventory. It's me first Groony build and I'm glad that I picked this unPC bird t' break t' ice. Begad! This is a very unique lookin' rocket and it's a lot o' fun t' build.

Construction:
I won't re-list t' components, ya bilge rat, me hearties, me bucko, but I will address t' balsa quality issue raised by t' previous reviewers. Ya scallywag! I found t' balsa quality t' be acceptable. I didn't use any special treatments i.e. paper laminate or CA. Blimey! Aye aye! However as I stated previously, me hearties, this is me first Groonie, so time will tell whether or nay t' fins hold up on this stubby little guy. Avast! After all thar are a lot o' fin surfaces as well as an RPG hangin' off this little guy.

T' Semroc directions are excellent as always, with a good mix o' text and graphics. Begad! I found no gotcha's along t' way and actuall completely enjoyed t' build. Ya scallywag! Obviously thar are a lot o' fillets t' fill because o' all o' t' extra lumber on this bird, me hearties, but even that be a snap.

quest_geehod_partsI sanded and filled all o' t' balsa parts and had t' do some extra sandin' on t' nose cone shoulder t' make it fit correctly into t' body tube. Arrr! It took a few series o' sandin' and wood filler application t' get t' look I wanted on t' nose cone.

Semroc uses t' Keelhaul®©™ thread tied off t' t' engine mount and connected t' an elastic shock cord rather than just a shock cord glued t' t' inner tube and I really like this setup.

Finishing:
Finishin' t' model be a breeze. After two coats o' primer with sandin' in betwixt coats. Well, blow me down! I covered t' RPG and painted t' rest o' t' rocket with two coats o' light yellow paint. Aye aye! When that was dry I covered t' rocket and painted t' RPG red.

T' decals were o' good quality and went on nicely.

quest_geehod_parts2One caution I would mention is that if you end up sandin' down t' bomb balsa too much you will end up havin' t' trim your bomb decals, ya bilge rat, same goes for t' wheels and wheel decals. They are fairly close fittin' so don't go t' heavy with t' sandpaper.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I've used only C6-5 motors in this rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! It doesn't boost straight up. Begad! Ya scallywag! It boosts at an angle but it gets respectable altitude and I have had no trouble with any damage on recovery t' this point. I have only flown this rocket on a grass field.

As with all short rockets where t' chute rests near t' engine you need t' take special care t' use enough recovery waddin' t' prevent damage t' t' chute, lines or shock cord.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
I like rockets that are different and this one fits that bill perfectly. I also have found that I like Groonies as well so I expect t' be addin' t' t' Groonie fleet.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Semroc Gee'hod By Moe Bertrand (December 21, 2008)

    The Semroc Gee'hod is a single-stage, parachute recovery rocket and is the third release in their line of "Groonies" - grown up Gooney Birds. Where Estes Gooney Birds had 13mm motor mounts, Semroc's Groonies have 18mm mounts and are a bit bigger in diameter. Previous reviewers have covered the basics very well. I love Semroc's components...some of the finest in the business. I followed the ...

  • Semroc Gee'hod By Chan Stevens (August 23, 2008)

    The latest addition to the Groonies line, this very politically incorrect rocket is packed with humor and bears the chubby little BT-60 based styling of the other grown-up Goonies (Saki, Ruskie). The first Groonies were based upon rejected Estes designs recently made public, but this one is pure Semroc all the way... Parts included are: BNC-60 balsa cone (with clay weight, screw eye) ...

  • Semroc Gee'hod By Dick Stafford (August 18, 2008)

    This is the latest in Semroc's line of Groonies (Grown-up Goonies). Inspired by the "insanity of 9/11 and its aftermath", the Gee'hod is a parody on fanaticism. It has lots of fin area, lots of decals, and flies on 18mm motors. Mine is production #10. For a small kit, this one has a lot of parts. It has two balsa nose cones: the main elliptical cone and the small one for the 'RPG' mounted ...

Flights

Comments:

avatar
M.K. (December 9, 2008)
I love the idea of the Gee'hod and the spirit behind it, but one thing puzzles me: what is "un-PC" about it? Mr. Stevens and Mr. Casey both use that term to describe the humorous elements of the design. Yes, the Gee'hod, like the other members of the Groony family, is cheeky and satirical, but since when is it "not politically correct" to mock violent fanaticism? This implies that, in our culture, there is some speech code that prohibits making fun of al-Qaeda and similar groups. Outside of a few caves in Tora Bora, there is no place in the world that has such a rule.

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