Semroc Centurion

Semroc - Centurion {Kit} (KV-40)

Contributed by Ron Wirth

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Diameter: 1.64 inches
Manufacturer: Semroc
Skill Level: 2
Style: Clone, Sport
Semroc Centurion

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 of the fin at the rear of the rocket.

Construction:
This kit comes with 2 sections of body tube, 1 coupler, 2 baffle centering rings, 1 balsa nose cone, 1 engine tube, 1 engine thrust ring, 2 engine centering rings, 1 engine hook, 4 laser cut fins, 2 launch lugs, 1 elastic shock cord, 1 steel eyelet, 2 12” plastic parachute kits, 1 decal sheet, and 15 pages of clear and detailed instructions.

This rocket is a very straightforward build. It can easily be done in one sitting following the instructions. The only "gotcha" that I experienced was in the construction of the baffle. I followed the instruction for test fitting the baffle into both body tubes but only one at a time. There was no sanding needed so I glued one end into the body tube. When I went to glue the other section onto the baffle, the body tubes did not line up correctly. I was able to sand it but it would have been much easier to get straight if I could sand both of the centering rings at the same time.

The only other issue I had was with constructing the parachutes. It is tough threading the shroud lines through the holes. I suggest using a toothpick to make the holes after you have applied the tape discs to the plastic instead of a straight pin.

Semroc Centurion

Finishing:
I love the look of the rocket in the recommend black and white paint scheme. I used diluted Elmer's Carpenters Wood Filler to fins and nose cone. After a quick sanding, I primed the rocket with Kilz original primer. After a light sanding, I applied a solid white primer. I masked the rocket to paint the lower section gloss white and the upper section gloss black. The decal that come with the kit are some of the best I have every worked with. You need to trim the red stripe for the fin and piece together the stripe that goes around the body tube. The only other decal is the rocket name.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
I did my first launch at the monthly MASA club launch. I loaded it with a B6-4. Since it has the baffle I choose not put and wadding in the rocket. There was no melting of the plastic chutes so it appears that the baffle was a success but I will use a little wadding with the larger motors. The rocket went straight up and the chutes deployed right at apogee. One of them got tangled and did not unfurl properly but this was not a problem as there was no damage sustained upon landing. This was a near picture perfect flight with the rocket landing only 20 feet from the launch pad.

Recovery:
The recovery system consists of an elastic cord attached to the baffle system and I used default length of the cord. It is attached to nose cone thought the screw eye. The two 12” chutes are also connected to the screw eye. I choose to use swivels to be able to change them out when needed.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
This is a cool looking retro type rocket that is easy to build. It is perfect for the newer builders and offers the great extras for the money. The recommended engine selections give it the ability to be launch on a small or larger field. I am very happy with the rocket and will definitely look for other Retro-Repro kits from Semroc.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5

Other Reviews
  • Semroc Centurion By John Lee (March 29, 2008)

    Brief: This rocket is a retro-repro, 18mm, standard 4FNC rocket with baffle ejection and dual parachute recovery system. Construction: The balsa sheet was within the instructions and was broken in many places parallel to the grain. One fin was broken into 2 pieces, the other three were broken into three pieces each. Let me hasten to add, I am NOT blaming Semroc for this. This ...

  • Semroc Centurion By Chan Stevens (June 7, 2007)

    Brief: The original Centurion was introduced in 1970 by Centuri and was one of the first rockets to introduce an ejection baffle system, eliminating the need for recovery wadding. This is good for long, slow flights, and a nice flier. Construction: The parts list: Balsa nose cone 2 ST-16 body tubes 4 Laser-cut balsa fins 18mm motor kit 2 12" plastic ...

  • Semroc Centurion By Bill Eichelberger (May 31, 2007)

    Brief: Originally a Centuri kit circa 1971-77, the Centurion was perfectly sized to fit in with the Estes Big Bertha and Semroc Vega. With 18mm power and an ejection baffle that all but eliminated the need for recovery wadding, the Centurion was another choice in the crowded field of skill level one birds that were perfect for flights from smaller fields. The Semroc version also ...

Flights

Comments:

avatar
H.C.M. (June 18, 2007)
A great kit, my review would agree with everything the reviewer wrote. Only one small problem from my end. The red stripe decals provided weren't quite long enough to go completely around the main body tube. It took some "piecing" together of two stripe decals. Not a big deal, but might be trouble for a younger modeler inexperienced with decals.

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