SecondRow
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2019
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Well, I’ve lurked here long enough. And now that I created an account to buy a rocket from another user, I should try a build thread and get official.
This is a Semroc Orbital Transport, a reproduction of the Estes original released in 1968. According to the instruction booklet, it’s based on an early NASA scramjet design for the space shuttle. It has a separate parasite glider which detaches at ejection. The booster is recovered by parachute. This kit looks to have been made before Semroc was sold to Erockets, judging by the address of Knightdale, NC on the cover of the booklet.
First off - wow that’s a lot of balsa parts. The two nearly identical sheets each have 14 separate pieces. Almost all will go on the booster. The third balsa sheet is for the glider.
I had the bright idea of filling, priming and sanding the first coat while the fins were still attached to the sheet, and that’s what you can see in the pics. That turned out to not be as great of an idea as I hoped, as I’ll explain later.
Also, eagle eyed fans will notice that the kit is missing a piece. Full internet points if you can figure out what it is.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering about my setup - I work from home and build a lot of my rockets in front of the computer. Now on to the build.
This is a Semroc Orbital Transport, a reproduction of the Estes original released in 1968. According to the instruction booklet, it’s based on an early NASA scramjet design for the space shuttle. It has a separate parasite glider which detaches at ejection. The booster is recovered by parachute. This kit looks to have been made before Semroc was sold to Erockets, judging by the address of Knightdale, NC on the cover of the booklet.
First off - wow that’s a lot of balsa parts. The two nearly identical sheets each have 14 separate pieces. Almost all will go on the booster. The third balsa sheet is for the glider.
I had the bright idea of filling, priming and sanding the first coat while the fins were still attached to the sheet, and that’s what you can see in the pics. That turned out to not be as great of an idea as I hoped, as I’ll explain later.
Also, eagle eyed fans will notice that the kit is missing a piece. Full internet points if you can figure out what it is.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering about my setup - I work from home and build a lot of my rockets in front of the computer. Now on to the build.