Semroc Iris

Semroc - Iris {Kit} (KD-4)

Contributed by John "MAX" Venable

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Diameter: 1.17 inches
Length: 23.80 inches
Manufacturer: Semroc
Skill Level: 1
Style: Scale
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Brief:
This is another TIGHT repro from Semroc. Very Sleek and FAST.Semroc supplied me with a 24mm mount for free.

Construction:
The Kit consists of:

  • 1 Balsa Nosecone,
  • 1 Body tube,
  • Motor tube,
  • 4 Balsa fins,
  • 1 screw eye,
  • 1 thrust ring,
  • chute pak,
  • kevlar shock cord,
  • launch lugs,
  • engine hook,
  • a set of decals.

The only con about this Rocket is the Engine Hook. The pro's about this Rocket is everything else, especially the decals don't change a thing. Construction was a snap and the directions are awesome. Every thing went without a hitch. But anyone who knows me realizes that I am going to Pump up this bird to handle the extremes. I added a 24mm mount and the 18mm an Estes D engine hook, 1/8th inch woven Kevlar® shockcord, 3/16th inch balsa fins and constructed this Bird completely with Epoxy. I did not use the ring set for the fins or the set of bands for the body tube. One of my biggest peeves is disruption of airflow.

Finishing:
No cons here, only pros. After assembly I coated the nosecone and the fins with a product called Restore-it. It turns wood to stone, literally. after sanding I applied a coat of Zinsser cover-stain primer. The next day I gave her a light sand, masked off one wing and applied 3 coats of blue to to one wing. After 2 days I masked off the blue wing and applied 2 coat white finish to the body and 3 wings. Then I applied 3 coat chrome finish to the nosecone. After 1 day I applied the decals. For the best finish I suggest Rustoleum High Performance Enamel, trust me!!

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
All 3 flights were on a C6-5, for now. I used wadding until I can figure a something better. I used an Estes D Hook for retention. All 3 flights were super fast and straight.

Recovery:
There are no cons because I pimped it. 1/8th inch Kevlar® shockcord wrapped around the inside of the upper thrust ring and a 12" thin-mil nylon chute. Perfect recovery, no issues at all.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
This is one Sexy bird. She flies like an Eagle. I am sure with the quality of Semroc products this kit it would fly flawlessly without any alterations. One more thing the people at Semroc build an awesome product and there customer service is a 10.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5

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    Brief: The Iris is one of the first of a new sport scale line by Semroc called the Deci-Scale, each roughly 1/10th the size of the real thing. This model is based upon the Atlantic Research Corporation's sounding rocket. The kit is just for the upper stage, as the real sounding rocket flew off of different booster configurations, never on its own, so this model would not qualify ...

  • Semroc Iris By Ron Wirth (September 17, 2009)

    Brief: Semroc has recently started a new line of Deci-ScaleTM rocket kits that are 1/10 semi-scale models of the originals. The IRIS is one of the first in the Deci-ScaleTM line which is a semi-scale model of the real Iris designed by Atlantic Research Corporation in the early 1960s. This model is a 4 fin rocket with some added details that give a true scale appearance to the ...

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