Semroc Saki

Semroc - Saki {Kit} (KA-12)

Contributed by George Beever

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Diameter: 1.84 inches
Length: 9.30 inches
Manufacturer: Semroc
Skill Level: 1
Style: Goonybird, Odd-Roc

Semroc Saki

Brief:
A single-stage LPR kit, one of the "Groonie" line from SEMROC. Designed to bear a resemblance to the WWII Japanese "Ohka" kamikaze plane.

Construction:
1 Balsa nose cone, 2 body tubes [one being the motor mount tube], 1 centering ring set, 1 laser-cut balsa fin set, 1 thrust ring, 1 motor hook, 1 Kevlar thread/elastic cord shock cord, clay nose weight, 1 plywood disc, 1 screw eye, 1 12-inch plastic chute kt, and 1 decal set.

The instructions were the standard high SEMROC quality, being very easy to follow and with an exploded-view of the model included. All parts were high caliber, making the actual build a breeze. Ii used yellow aliphatic resin glue throughout with one exception and was able to complete construction in one afternoon. The nose weight set-up was unique to me. The base of the balsa nose cone is pre-hollowed out for a depth of about an inch or so. The clay included in the kit is rolled into a cylinder and inserted into the cavity. The plywood disk with the screw eye threaded into it is then glued into the hole, holding in the clay. This was the one area where I used epoxy.

Semroc SakiSemroc Saki

Finishing:
There are some odd body tube/balsa attachment point angles on the Saki, which led me to fear some balsa filling problems. I shouldn't have worried, as there were no problems. The same goes for painting. Fear not, spray away. I was tempted to use a dark green over sea grey color scheme like many Japanese aircraft of the Pacific War were painted, but in the end I stuck with the kit color (yellow).

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
For the first flight of the Saki, I chose an Estes C6-5. I prepped the model in the usual manner, including the kit parachute on which I had installed a snap swivel. In the future, I might go with a larger chute, too, maybe an 18-inch one.

Recovery:
The boost was very fast and surprisingly straight, considering all of the balsa hanging off of the Saki at weird angles. At apogee, she just arced over and...what? No chute? Well, there had been one, but the added weight of the nose cone caused the swivel to open up. The chute went one way, the model another. No problem though as the Saki tumbled in and landed in some high grass. The model suffered no damage whatsoever. I wish I could say the same for my pride! Lesson learned. Lose the swivel next time and attach the shroud lines right to the model.

Semroc SakiSemroc Saki

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
The Saki was my first venture into Groonie-land (or is it Groonie-ism?), and it was a fun, easy build.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

Other Reviews
  • Semroc Saki By Bill Eichelberger (September 20, 2021)

    At first glance the Semroc Saki appears to be an Estes Goonybird Cloud Hopper with different paint and decals, but comparing the two side by side tells a different story.  They share the same basic shape, but little else, as the Saki is not only larger than the BT-60 Estes bird, but also 18mm powered compared to the mini-engine Goony.  According to Estes Industries legend, ...

  • Semroc Saki By Daniel Draney (October 6, 2015)

    Great little GoonyBird style kit by Semroc. Components Balsa nose cone, fins, and cockpit. Water slide decals. /h2 No problems building the kit. Finishing Was a little difficult to paint the joint under the wings. Construction Score: 5 Flight Great flights, fin config makes it look cool in the air. Recovery I wish I had put ...

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