Semroc Flying Model Rocket Kit Mars Lander™ KV-54
Skill Level 4 Expert
Futuristic Planetary Manned Vehicle
1969 Retro Reproduction
Working Shock Absorbing Gear
Precision Turned Balsa Nose Cone
Laser-Cut Fins and Body Parts
Embossed Wraps
Colorful Water Slide Decals
18" Parachute Recovery
Body Diameter 3.744"(9.5cm)
Length 12.4"(31.5cm)
Fin Span 13.5"(34.3cm)
Net Weight 4.1oz(116.3g)
Made in the USA
Engine Estimated Altitude
C6-3 360’(110m)
C5-3 370’(113m)
C18-4FJ 380’(116m)
D16-4FJ 450’(137m)
Model Rocket Kits are rated by Skill Level
1 Beginner
2 Intermediate
3 Advanced
4 Expert
5 Master
If you are just starting in the hobby start at the beginner level and move up from there at your own pace.
What is needed to build and fly
All model rockets come in kit form that require assembly. The materials are primarily cardboard tubes, balsa or plastic fins and nose cone. Materials will vary by model and are typically specified in the description of each kit.
Additional supplies will be necessary to build and finish your model rocket kit and may include:
Scissors, Hobby Knife
Ruler
Wood Glue, Model Cement or CA(Super Glue)
Sandpaper
Masking Tape
Finishing Supplies like:
Wood Filler
Sealer/Primer
Paint
Launching Equipment and Supplies like:
Recovery wadding
Launch Pad
Launch Controller
Power supply
Model Rocket Motors and Igniters
A safe place to fly using guidelines from the National Association of Rocketry Safety Code
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Awaiting its arrival was a 1970s Christmas all over again.
The service was prompt and awaiting its arrival was a 1970s Christmas all over again. I'm very pleased with the product and look forward to building it. Thank you for making this childhood kit available. It is among my Holy Grail kits of which has completed the triad.
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MARS LANDER
The Semroc "Mars Lander", the #KV-54 that I got from eRockets recently. A classic level 4 model that is a copy from the Estes 1969 catalog that they made back in the day and was listed as 691-K-43. Semroc has been known to reproduce many of the retro model rockets that Estes did many years ago that went OOP.
A C6-3 engine that they recommend will reach 360 feet with this model. D13-4 and D21-4 series engines will reach over 400 feet or more.
This will then return on a super cool looking 18 inch chute.
Best kit and soon to be built. See my name (saturn5tony) on instagram to see more of this rocket. -
Mars Lander Kit Review
I like everything about this kit, except the laser cutting of the card board pieces. It’s messy and the cut card board material does not seem as strong as the stamped pieces in the original kit - if I am remembering correctly. In addition, it is not clear yet how to upgrade to a D- engine.
But a great, welcome reproduction -
One of the greatest Estes models comes to life once again
Anyone who built Estes rockets as a kid likely experienced the Mars Lander. An incredibly unique rocket that stood out along with the Saturn V and 1B as the headlines of the Estes fleet. Getting back into rocket building and finding that Estes no longer makes any of those kits was incredibly disappointing. However, thanks to Semroc, these kits are back and they are better than ever. The Semroc Mars lander is a quality kit that goes together just as the Estes version did. The raised panel shrouds are done beautifully, and the laser cut parts are very clean. The only issue I had, which was minor, was a very porous end grain on the balsa nosecone, which required several rounds of sanding sealer and sanding. Still, I like the tradition of balsa nosecones and am glad Semroc kept it so. I would also have preferred to see something other than rubberbands for the landing gear. These are installed such that they are non-replaceable and if you're fortunate enough for your ML to last a few years they could degrade and break. Overall, this is a wonderful kit that brought back many memories and I highly recommend it.
