All Rocketry Blogs

Model Rocket Building: Merry Christmas To Me! (2019-12-28)

  I didn't order any clearance rockets in the recent Estes Black Friday sale -  But I did pick up some discontinued Semroc kits!  Four were $9.99, the Micro Max Orbital ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Aerobee-Hi KV-2 Build, Background (2020-05-05)

This first production model rocket kit was produced in April, 1958 by Model Missiles Inc. The picture above shows the 50th anniversary kit box produced by Quest Aerospace. This next blog build will ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Aerobee-Hi KV-2 Build, Part 1, Parts (2020-05-06)

At first glance all parts seemed of high quality. I had some questions later on. I had seen BT-40s listed in old catalogs, but never had one in my hands. The laser cut fins, they seem thick! The ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Aerobee-Hi KV-2 Build, Part 2, Fin Forming (2020-05-07)

Here's a fin before and after lightly sanding off the laser cut sides. I've never built a kit this size with this thick balsa for the fins. The fins were almost 3/16" thick! All edges ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Aerobee-Hi KV-2 Build, Part 2A, Fin Forming (2020-05-08)

On YORF,  "Gus" (Steve Krystal) and Peter Alway were comparing original Model Missiles Aerobee Hi kit parts with the Quest 50th anniversary commemorative kit from 2008. I had a question after ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Aerobee-Hi KV-2 Build, Part 3, Engine Mount (2020-05-10)

I mentioned before, the BT-40 body tube wall is thick! There is also the ST-7 engine mount tube that slides into the BT-40. The BT-40 tube by itself would make a loose fitting engine without the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Aerobee-Hi KV-2 Build, Part 4, Fins - Again! (2020-05-11)

I thought the fin stock was too thick! The face card pictures showed thinner fins and tunnels. I didn't want to use the supplied fat fins and tunnels now. I cut out some new fins and tunnels. On the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Aerobee-Hi KV-2 Build, Part 5, Shroud Lines, L. Lugs & Fin Gluing (2020-05-11)

The shroud lines are tightly would around a piece of card stock. This saves the line from tangling, but puts bends in the line. TIP: Set your iron on low and pull the line under the iron. Go low on ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Aerobee-Hi KV-2 Build, Part 6, Masking & Color , DANG! (2020-05-12)

Here's the build so far - ready for masking and paint! First, an overall gloss white. Notice the black fin - The leading edge paint continues and goes under the bottom of the tunnel. This also ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Aerobee-Hi KV-2 Build, Part 7, Double-DANG! (2020-05-13)

I lightly sanded the mask line ridges and re-sprayed the gloss white on two fins. The third fin (orange on the left) should end up being black. This rocket is cursed I tell 'ya!  I keep my ... [Read More]