Semroc Mars Lander

[DAllen]

Mmmkay...got this for Xmas and just started working on it.

HOLY COW ARE THERE A LOT OF PARTS TO THIS THINGY.

:y: :eyepop:

I just spent an hour on it and I'm not even done with the landing gear. There are L3 rockets with 1/2 the number of parts this thing has. Anyways...any advice for this kit before I get much further? I'm already trying to use as little glue as possible so to keep it light and not turn it into a glue bomb.

:bangpan:

-Dave

 

[tbzep]

Mmmkay...got this for Xmas and just started working on it.

HOLY COW ARE THERE A LOT OF PARTS TO THIS THINGY.

:y: :eyepop:

I just spent an hour on it and I'm not even done with the landing gear. There are L3 rockets with 1/2 the number of parts this thing has. Anyways...any advice for this kit before I get much further? I'm already trying to use as little glue as possible so to keep it light and not turn it into a glue bomb.

:bangpan:

-Dave

If you plan to fly it over the course of several years, you will need to make the aft end removable to get access to the rubber bands or replace the rubber bands with springs. The rubber bands will dry rot over time. You can search the TRF archives and YORF to find examples of both modifications.

 

[Shade]

Here is the link to my build thread:

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?t=5440

I recommend painting the landing gear prior to assy. I did not do that, I
should have. I only used one coat of sanding sealer to keep weight down.

 

[tbzep]

Found my thread in the archives. I built mine with a removable rear end so that I can replace rubber bands as needed.

https://www.rocketryforumarchive.com/showthread.php?t=49553&highlight=mars+lander

 

[user 13]

Build lite, Keep the paint lite. Paint the legs before you attach the descent stage. Keep it lite, add an extra rubber band to each leg, build it lite, keep a tight fit on the leg fairings, make sure it's lite.....

 

[DAllen]

Build lite, Keep the paint lite. Paint the legs before you attach the descent stage. Keep it lite, add an extra rubber band to each leg, build it lite, keep a tight fit on the leg fairings, make sure it's lite.....

So what you are saying is use 1/4" diameter epoxy fillets for everything and 3 layers of 6 oz. glass on all interior and exterior surfaces?

:neener:

 

[user 13]

Umm, Yah!

 

[shrox]

He's saying use helium based adhesive.

 

[DAllen]

If you didn't bifocals prior to building one of these you will AFTER building one of these.

 

[Pantherjon]

So what you are saying is use 1/4" diameter epoxy fillets for everything and 3 layers of 6 oz. glass on all interior and exterior surfaces?

:neener:

You would also need to use a wrap of kevlar cloth too.To make it truly bullet-proof!.And then topped off with a wrap of veil fiberglass cloth.So it is nice and smooth so you can apply the 5 layers of filler primer, 4 layers of primer and 3 layers of base color paint a layer of contrast and then 2 layers of clearcoat...:roll:

Ummm, should get about 200 feet on a J350! :roll:

 

[sodmeister]

He's saying use helium based adhesive.

Thanks....now I have a nose full of coffee :roll:


Paul

 

[Sheryl@semroc]

You guys are great. I really needed a good laugh.

Sheryl

 

[DAllen]

You guys are great. I really needed a good laugh.

Sheryl

You deserve it. This is a great kit.

One interesting factoid about this kit...By the time I got to the big letters spelling out, "BREAK TIME" in the instructions I had already had several breaks.

 

[user 13]

Any news?

 

[dlazarus6660]

Yeah, I watched the news today. There was nothing about the Semroc Mars Lander build today!:roll:

 

[DAllen]

Any news?

LOL...no. I haven't worked on it in a while. I realized I made a bo-bo though when I realized that I forgot to attach the kevlar shock cord before gluing in the central body tube...

-Dave

 

[CharlaineC]

this is a wonderfull kit. i built mine with a removeable aft section. its a great kit. remember to swing test it. i found i needed alot due to the modifications due to damage and now she flies great.

 

[JStarStar]

I tried to build an original Mars Lander back in 1970 at the age of 12.

I remember opening the bag and :jaw::jaw: at the number of parts. I knew I was over my head.

I punched around at it for a few weeks and ended up cannibalizing out most of the parts. Maybe this year I'll pick up a Semroc kit and give it a shot.

 

[ghrocketman]

The Semroc Mars Lander truly is a great kit.
I built two Estes originals back in the early 80's and have built two Semroc kits.
One does not have to worry about building them light if one flies them on D10/D21 Aerotech 18mm SU engines or their equivalent 18mm RMS reloads, both of which are VERY affordable on their valuerockets website. Full 20n-sec composite D's for about the same price as much-heavier 24mm 17 n-sec Estes D12's.
I did however add 1/2oz noseweight to compensate for the slightly heavier 18mm RMS reload/casing which is heavier than a C6-3. If one was to only use the SU composite D's this is not needed.