Semroc Magnum Hornet

Semroc - Magnum Hornet {Kit} (KV-69)

Contributed by Eldred Pickett

Diameter: 1.33 inches
Length: 19.80 inches
Manufacturer: Semroc
Skill Level: 1
Style: Clone, Sport

This was my first Semroc kit, so it was all new. It's a reproduction of an old Centuri kit with a few updates.

Parts

There is an exploded-view diagram so you can see how the pieces go together. It also serves as a parts list showing how many of each part should be there.

The parts were well laid out. The fins came on a laser-cut balsa sheet. This rocket also has a balsa nose cone for all your purists.

One of the interesting features about this kit is that it can fly A through D motors. It's a 24mm kit, but includes a motor adapter for A-C motors.

There weren't any problems with assembly. I had one concern about the motor adapter, since the last 'centering ring' hangs out of the back of the kit. But that's what engages the engine hook on the model when you use smaller motors. It actually worked quite well.

I took the kit to a local school field to launch. Since it's a small field and it was windy, I flew it with an A8-3 for the first flight. It got up to about 110', give or take. However, the chute didn't eject, and the rocket came down flat enough that I assumed there would be no damage. I didn't get that lucky - one of the fins snapped. I never use A motors, so I don't know if the nose cone was too tight, or if that motor doesn't have a big enough ejection charge. Probably a little of both.

All in all, the Semroc Magnum Hornet is an easy kit to build and fly.

Other Reviews
  • Semroc Magnum Hornet By Matthew Bond (July 21, 2009)

    Centuri Engineering Company was started in the early 60s and was one of the early pioneers in the model rocket industry. Centuri was sold to Damon Corporation in the late 60s and maintained their product line separately from Estes until 1983. The Magnum Hornet was produced by Centuri from 1980-1983 and is unique in that it was one of a handful of Centuri kits comprised entirely of Estes parts. ...

  • Semroc Magnum Hornet By John "MAX" Venable (June 25, 2009)

    Brief: A lightweight, fast flier possibly capable of supersonic speed. Construction: This baby was a fun build. I loved every minute of it. The kit contains high quality parts. A straightforward build, but I tweaked it. This kit was built entirely with epoxy with microballoons for added strength and sandability, so she can fly on AeroTech E-30s. I replaced the balsa fins with ...

  • Semroc Magnum Hornet By Jason Orosco (May 31, 2009)

    Brief: I'll try and repeat what's in the other reviews, the Semroc Magnum Hornet is Retro-Repro of the Centuri Magnum Hornet with a 18mm motor adapter and 12" cute replaces the Streamer and Kevlar ® thread/elastic shock cord replaces the rubber band from the old Magnum Hornet. Construction: The instructions are well written and easy to follow with quality parts, what ...

  • Semroc Magnum Hornet By Peter Stanley (May 24, 2009)

    Brief: The Magnum Hornet is a Semroc Retro-Repro of a Centuri model. It is designed for 24mm motors but includes an 18mm adapter. Recovery is via 12" parachute. I ordered my kit from Semroc directly and had it within two days. Construction: The kit includes a balsa nosecone, one BT-55 body tube, a 3/16" launch lug, water slide decals, an elastic shock cord, Kevlar ...

  • Semroc Magnum Hornet By Jeff Lane (May 12, 2009)

    Brief: Chan's build experience exactly fit my own so I'll try not to repeat. The Magnum concept is simple: large motor, small rocket, and it actually makes more sense today than it did when originally marketed. I got my kit from Apogee, and it was damage-free. Construction: It is extremely easy to build and all the components are of high quality. Smooth, perfectly formed nose ...

  • Semroc Magnum Hornet By Chan Stevens (April 26, 2009)

    Semroc has gone "retro repro" again, bringing out a modern reproduction of one of the last Centuri designs before the Damon Corporation consolidated their product line under the Estes brand. The kit, although a Centuri model, featured Estes parts in its day. The Semroc reproduction features laser-cut fins, a balsa nose cone, and upgraded Kevlar/elastic shock cord, plus includes a chute ...

Flights

Comments:

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D.F. (June 21, 2009)
I had the original Centuri version of this kit but installed a 29mm mount in it instead of the 24mm and made the fins out of 3/32" plywood. It was one high flier! I regularly launched it on Composite Dynamics E20s and SSRS E30s. 2000-2500' flights, easily. Never had the guts to launch it on an F67 though. This was a well designed and stable rocket; it always flew straight with the heavier composite engines I used. I would have a friend launch it and I would be about 500ft away to track it easier. This rocket would be 200-300 feet in the air before I would hear the first sounds of the engine thrusting! Had a 25' streamer on it, which would barely be visable at ejection. I miss that rocket.
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M.G. (August 12, 2009)
My opinion is look at all the reviews + flight logs for this recent Semroc release! This is a super kit, and everyone should have one!

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