Semroc Gee'hod

Semroc - Gee'hod {Kit} (KA-15)

Contributed by Frank Casey

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Diameter: 1.84 inches
Length: 9.50 inches
Manufacturer: Semroc
Skill Level: 1
Style: Goonybird, Odd-Roc

quest_geehodBrief:
This is a Groonie, which I guess is something like a first cousin to the Estes Goonybird. I actually purchased two of these from Semroc, one to build and fly and one to add to the kit collection inventory. It's my first Groony build and I'm glad that I picked this unPC bird to break the ice. This is a very unique looking rocket and it's a lot of fun to build.

Construction:
I won't re-list the components, but I will address the balsa quality issue raised by the previous reviewers. I found the balsa quality to be acceptable. I didn't use any special treatments i.e. paper laminate or CA. However as I stated previously, this is my first Groonie, so time will tell whether or not the fins hold up on this stubby little guy. After all there are a lot of fin surfaces as well as an RPG hanging off this little guy.

The Semroc directions are excellent as always, with a good mix of text and graphics. I found no gotcha's along the way and actuall completely enjoyed the build. Obviously there are a lot of fillets to fill because of all of the extra lumber on this bird, but even that was a snap.

quest_geehod_partsI sanded and filled all of the balsa parts and had to do some extra sanding on the nose cone shoulder to make it fit correctly into the body tube. It took a few series of sanding and wood filler application to get the look I wanted on the nose cone.

Semroc uses the Kevlar thread tied off to the engine mount and connected to an elastic shock cord rather than just a shock cord glued to the inner tube and I really like this setup.

Finishing:
Finishing the model was a breeze. After two coats of primer with sanding in between coats. I covered the RPG and painted the rest of the rocket with two coats of light yellow paint. When that was dry I covered the rocket and painted the RPG red.

The decals were of good quality and went on nicely.

quest_geehod_parts2One caution I would mention is that if you end up sanding down the bomb balsa too much you will end up having to trim your bomb decals, same goes for the wheels and wheel decals. They are fairly close fitting so don't go to heavy with the sandpaper.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
I've used only C6-5 motors in this rocket. It doesn't boost straight up. It boosts at an angle but it gets respectable altitude and I have had no trouble with any damage on recovery to this point. I have only flown this rocket on a grass field.

As with all short rockets where the chute rests near the engine you need to take special care to use enough recovery wadding to prevent damage to the chute, lines or shock cord.

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
I like rockets that are different and this one fits that bill perfectly. I also have found that I like Groonies as well so I expect to be adding to the Groonie fleet.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

Other Reviews
  • Semroc Gee'hod By Moe Bertrand (December 21, 2008)

    The Semroc Gee'hod is a single-stage, parachute recovery rocket and is the third release in their line of "Groonies" - grown up Gooney Birds. Where Estes Gooney Birds had 13mm motor mounts, Semroc's Groonies have 18mm mounts and are a bit bigger in diameter. Previous reviewers have covered the basics very well. I love Semroc's components...some of the finest in the business. I followed the ...

  • Semroc Gee'hod By Chan Stevens (August 23, 2008)

    The latest addition to the Groonies line, this very politically incorrect rocket is packed with humor and bears the chubby little BT-60 based styling of the other grown-up Goonies (Saki, Ruskie). The first Groonies were based upon rejected Estes designs recently made public, but this one is pure Semroc all the way... Parts included are: BNC-60 balsa cone (with clay weight, screw eye) ...

  • Semroc Gee'hod By Dick Stafford (August 18, 2008)

    This is the latest in Semroc's line of Groonies (Grown-up Goonies). Inspired by the "insanity of 9/11 and its aftermath", the Gee'hod is a parody on fanaticism. It has lots of fin area, lots of decals, and flies on 18mm motors. Mine is production #10. For a small kit, this one has a lot of parts. It has two balsa nose cones: the main elliptical cone and the small one for the 'RPG' mounted ...

Flights

Comments:

avatar
M.K. (December 9, 2008)
I love the idea of the Gee'hod and the spirit behind it, but one thing puzzles me: what is "un-PC" about it? Mr. Stevens and Mr. Casey both use that term to describe the humorous elements of the design. Yes, the Gee'hod, like the other members of the Groony family, is cheeky and satirical, but since when is it "not politically correct" to mock violent fanaticism? This implies that, in our culture, there is some speech code that prohibits making fun of al-Qaeda and similar groups. Outside of a few caves in Tora Bora, there is no place in the world that has such a rule.

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