Ron Wirth's Page

2009-09-21

Review
Brief: The Estes Mega Sizz’ is an OOP kit that was available during 1988 through 1990. The rocket is really nothing more than a 4FNC rocket using a BT-60 body tube. I am a fan of rockets with that tube size so when I had a chance to get the Mega Sizz’ in some kits I was trading ... [More]

2009-09-17

Semroc Iris (Kit)

Review
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 ... [More]

2009-09-16

Custom Rockets Tristar Fiesta (Kit)

Review
( Contributed - by Ron Wirth - 09/16/09) Brief: For the Stage Bash section of the 2009 EMRR Challenge, you are required to combine any two purchased single-stage rocket kits into a rocket that is at least 2-staged using only the parts for the two kits. I decided to attempt a gap ... [More]

Semroc SLS Aero-Dart (Kit)

Review
Brief: The SLS Aero-Dart is another Semroc Large Scale Rocketry design based on a classic Centuri kit but with improvements like an ejection baffle, laser cut basswood fins that mount through-the-wall, a removable 24mm engine mount to be swapped with an optional 29mm engine mount, and an ... [More]

2009-09-14

FlisKits Praetor-2 (Kit)

Review
Brief: The Praetor-II booster is an aftermarket design for the popular Praetor rocket kit from FlisKits. The booster like the rocket has a unique look with long thin fins that extend out from the body tube further than what you might expect. The Praetor-II boost complements the original ... [More]

2009-09-02

Cygnus Rocketry Near Earth Attack Vehicle (N.E.A.V.) (Kit)

Review
Brief: The N.E.A.V. X-1 from Cygnus Model Rocketry Company is a small futuristic design that reminds me of something that you might see in the pod races from the film Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace . I was not familiar with the company when I came across the rocket kit at Uncle ... [More]

2009-09-01

Excelsior Rocketry Der Fat Max (Plan) (Kit)

Review
Brief: The Der Fat Max is another Goony Retro-Bash plan set from Excelsior Rocketry. While it might not be the typical size of a Goony, it sure looks and feels Goony to me. As with the other Goony Retro-Bash rockets available from Excelsior, this is a kit-bash where you get receive the ... [More]

Semroc ThunderChief (Kit)

Review
Brief: Semroc describes the ThunderChief as the third largest member of the Thunder kit series that they are producing. This series is essentially the same rocket scaled approximately 1.25 times each step up in body tube size. The series is based from the Centuri Engineering Thunder rockets ... [More]

2008-09-26

Excelsior Rocketry KRAM (Plan) (Kit)

Review
Brief: What happens if you take an Estes Mark/Mark II design and turn it into a goony style rocket using a Baby Bertha kit? You get the KRAM from Excelsior Rocketry. As with the other goony retro-bash plansets, the KRAM is not a kit but rather the instructions and decals to turn a ... [More]

2008-08-11

Scratch Estes Courier Upscale (Scratch)

Review
( Contributed - by Ron Wirth - 08/11/08) Brief: I have become a big fan of upscale rockets lately. There are some great kits available from Semroc and QModeling. I have built upscale kits from both companies and highly recommend them but wanted to complete an upscale from scrat ... [More]

2007-10-08

Semroc Oso (Kit)

Review
Brief: The OSO is another superb Retro-Repro kit from Semroc. This rocket is based on the original Oso kit by Flight Systems, Inc but with several improvements. While the rocket appears not much more that a 3FNC kit, it does contain a payload section and an ejection baffle. At a ... [More]

2007-08-06

Scratch Scraps is a Boy Dog (Scratch)

Review
( Contributed - by Ron Wirth - 08/06/07) Brief: As we all know, not all rocket flights go as planned. As a result of some of those flight failures, I found my parts boxes with an abundant supply of material to build a recycled rocket for one of the requirements in the 2007 EMRR ... [More]

2007-07-12

Semroc Centurion (Kit)

Review
Brief: The Centurion is another nice addition in the Semroc Retro-Repro series of rockets. For being a 4FNC rocket, it has some cool extras, namely the dual chutes, ejection baffle and shape of the laser cut fins that lead me to purchasing this rocket. I really like the curved portion ... [More]

2006-08-22

Thrustline Aerospace Pumpkin Head (Kit)

Review
Brief: When it comes to picking out a kit to purchase, there are several things I look for in a rocket. Naturally the looks and performance are taken into consideration but another factor for me is the name. So when I was looking for a kit to purchase and found myself browsing the ... [More]

Thrustline Aerospace Astral Lance (Kit)

Review
Brief: The Astral Lance from Thrustline Aerospace is described as "a high performing versatile rocket that will become the pride of your fleet." This 30 inch long rocket has 8 fins and motor choices from a C engine to an E engine. This was primarily the reason that I choose to ... [More]