Semroc BT60 Baffle

Semroc - BT60 Baffle {Component}

Contributed by Dick Stafford

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: Semroc

Semroc BT-60 Baffle

Brief:
This is Semroc's rendition of the BT-60 baffle.

Construction:
This kit includes three components and a piece of Kevlar twine. All three parts are laser cut from a small sheet of fiberboard.

The precision of the cuts are amazing with both small features and some cuts that are merely scored. You'd never be able to cut this with your trusty #11. Assembly is trivial. You fold over the center section into a faceted cone and then attach the top and bottom plates. Make sure you pop out all the vents. The Kevlaris tied around the center section and is run up through a hole in the top plate.

Semroc BT-60 Baffle As you can see, the gas actually vents at the base of the baffle and then out the top so there isn't anything near a direct path out the top.

The instructions say to install it at least 3" from the top of the body tube. I installed mine 6" down in an 18" piece of BT-60.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
I noticed when I read John Lee's review of the FlisKits BT-55 baffle that he forgot it was there and added wadding. I chuckled because I did the same thing. And, like John's experience, ejection was perfect. (I wish I could say the same about the flight as a whole.)

Recovery:
Well, the chute came out as planned and, as you'd expect, was in pristine condition. However, I have to make one observation. I've found the C11 ejection charges to be on the energetic side and this one was no different. The back pressure from the baffle caused the motor to spit and the motor hook no longer is parallel to the motor tube. I don't really how to factor this into the rating, but I'd be cautious with any baffle on a single BT-60 using a 24mm mount. I guess I'll merely deduct a point.

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
This is a cool little baffle. It's easy to build and is effective. That being said, I'd like to see comments if you've used this size baffle with 24mm motors.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

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