Semroc Flying Model Rocket Kit Gyroc™ KV-94
Assembly Required Skill Level 2 Intermediate
1965 Retro Reproduction
Precision Turned Balsa Nose None
Laser-Cut Balsa Fins
Helicopter Recovery
Motor Pod is Streamer Recovery
Body Diameter 0.759"
Length 6.5”
Fin Span 3.4" (8.6cm)
Net Weight 0.3oz (7.1g)
Made in the USA
Motors Approx. Altitude
1/2A3-2T 125'
A10-3T 300'
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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Everything fits perfectly
Nice looking model. Easy to assemble. Everything fits perfectly. Haven't launched it yet.
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Unique Rocket
Interesting concept that I had heard about years ago, but had been long out of production. I enjoyed building the Semroc rendition of the design. I was happy with the overall results, but have two recommendations for improvement:
1) The directions are not easy to read, and are somewhat unclear in areas. Reformatting and cleaning up the type and layout would help, as well as clarifying some of the diagrams. I figured it out after a while...
2) The basswood tabs which hold the vanes in place aren't really strong enough. I ended up having to reinforce the bases where they attach to the engine tube with a bit of additional wood. A minor redesign with a wider attachment point to the tube would help.
Nitpicks aside, I like the kit, and I am looking forward to flying it when the Michigan deep freeze passes. -
Cahllenging build, unique recover, but good flying kit for the price
I bought this because it was half the cost of the Estes rocket that recovers the same way. This rocket ascends normally and the motor pod is ejected and recovered by streamer. This releases the elevons that are pulled in opposing directions by rubber bands. This causes the rocket to spin down at a relatively slow descent rate.
The instructions are good with the toughest part being the alignment of the two tabs that hold the elevons straight during boost while the motor is installed. I actually glued them to the motor tube instead of the elevons as the instructions say. This has worked great.
I have flown this several times usually on a 1/2A3-2 and A3-4 motors. It goes 100 - 150' on 1/2A motors and doesnt drift very far due to its recovery method. It can be flown in a large enough back yard (please follow the NAR safety code). Flights are fun and very economical.The rubber bands do require replacement after a while as they stretch out and become loose over time. -
Semroc Gyroc review
This is a very nice kit with good instructions, quality parts and even some nice build aids. I am a very experienced rocketeer which means I skimmed the instructions instead of reading them carefully. That was a mistake! I know the guy who wrote the instructions and after carefully reading them AFTER I screwed up and I found Phil did his usual excellent job telling you what you should do. So FOLLOW the instructions! It's a small kit, but it is a nice flying rocket. I did modify this kit by skipping the motor pod and just using the body tube as the motor mount so I could use 18mm motors instead of 13mm motors. It flies great on an A8-3.
