Introduction
According to SEMROC's literature, the Cherokee D was designed by Gene Street and introduced by Estes in 1969. Eventhough I was around by that time, being in Kindergarten (Yeah, I know, I'm a pup) I was more interested in Kaptain Kangaroo than I was in model rockets, but that year the rocketry pumps were being primed whether I knew it or not. Unfortunately, by the time I was able to build rockets, I did not have the opportunity to build the Cherokee. I had contemplated cloning this kit but never got around to it, so you can imagine my delight when SEMROC released their kit as one the winter releases. This kit builds into the original design of the Cherokee D before Estes lengthened the body tube to 18 inches and replaced the balsa nose cone with a plastic one.
The Good Stuff
Upon first inspection of the package, you'll note that this Cherokee D comes with two motor mounts; one, for 24mm motors and one to serve as a converter to an 18mm for those pesky tight launch areas. This, I think, is a neat idea. In addition, the laser cut fins have already been removed from the fret and in their own package and from the looks of them, require very little (if any) additional sanding. The decals are crisp and in register, but I wasn't too thrilled to find them rolled up and shoved into the body tube. It seems like this could become an issue when it's time to apply them. Overall, this kit looks to be a straight-forward build and could easily be a first kit for someone who is starting into rocketry. The instructions are well written and easy to follow and they have been pre-punched for a three ring binder to archive them if you should so choose! I'm not 100% sure, but I don't recall any of my other SEMROC instructions coming that way. If this is something new as well...I think it's another neat idea.
Or as Astro Baby would say, " All that and a bag of chips."
Coming Soon
I will continue this thread later with the construction of the motor mount and converter.
According to SEMROC's literature, the Cherokee D was designed by Gene Street and introduced by Estes in 1969. Eventhough I was around by that time, being in Kindergarten (Yeah, I know, I'm a pup) I was more interested in Kaptain Kangaroo than I was in model rockets, but that year the rocketry pumps were being primed whether I knew it or not. Unfortunately, by the time I was able to build rockets, I did not have the opportunity to build the Cherokee. I had contemplated cloning this kit but never got around to it, so you can imagine my delight when SEMROC released their kit as one the winter releases. This kit builds into the original design of the Cherokee D before Estes lengthened the body tube to 18 inches and replaced the balsa nose cone with a plastic one.
The Good Stuff
Upon first inspection of the package, you'll note that this Cherokee D comes with two motor mounts; one, for 24mm motors and one to serve as a converter to an 18mm for those pesky tight launch areas. This, I think, is a neat idea. In addition, the laser cut fins have already been removed from the fret and in their own package and from the looks of them, require very little (if any) additional sanding. The decals are crisp and in register, but I wasn't too thrilled to find them rolled up and shoved into the body tube. It seems like this could become an issue when it's time to apply them. Overall, this kit looks to be a straight-forward build and could easily be a first kit for someone who is starting into rocketry. The instructions are well written and easy to follow and they have been pre-punched for a three ring binder to archive them if you should so choose! I'm not 100% sure, but I don't recall any of my other SEMROC instructions coming that way. If this is something new as well...I think it's another neat idea.
Or as Astro Baby would say, " All that and a bag of chips." Coming Soon
I will continue this thread later with the construction of the motor mount and converter.
