All Rocketry Blogs

 Rocketry Product: Semroc - Sam 3 {Kit} (KV-79) [2011-2013]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Sam 3 Background (2019-04-20)

All the copy below is from the Semroc website. "The Centuri Russian SAM-3 was first advertised in the Centuri 1878 catalog with an availability date of May 15, 1978. It was one of the four models in ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Sam 3 Build, Part 1, Parts (2019-04-21)

All parts were good, Centuri thick ST tubing. This model has a Dr. Seuss decor with a Green Eggs and Ham, "Sam I Am" decal. Lots of small 3/32" balsa pieces! The original Centuri kit had basswood ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Sam 3 Build, Part 2, Parts Prep Before Building The Kit (2019-04-22)

The upper fin tip pieces felt weak to me in the kit supplied balsa. The burnt edges were lightly sanded clean. Four new pieces were cut from basswood using the balsa piece as a template. I used a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Sam 3 Build, Part 3, Engine Mount (2019-04-23)

The engine hook slot was a small punch made with an X-Acto knife tip. Rather than just punching the engine hook through the tube, I enlarged the slot and cleaned it up. This is typical of some ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Sam 3 Build, Part 4, Small Forward Fins (2019-04-24)

The small, upper fins are made up of three pieces. I cut new forward strakes from basswood, the large middle piece is the kit supplied 3/32" balsa, the upper antenna was also cut from  ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Sam 3 Build, Part 5, Joining The Tubes (2019-04-25)

The upper centering ring goes right over the the tubes joint. The lower ring is glued 1/4" up from the low end.A bead of glue is set around the upper ring and more glue is applied the outside bottom ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Sam 3 Build, Part 6, Fins! (2019-04-26)

The small nose cone canard fins were cut from basswood. I made a few extras and will pick the best four. The launch lug seams were filled before gluing on the model. Along with the nose cone ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Sam 3 Build, Part 7, Fin Gluing and Alignment (2019-04-27)

The large, square rear fins are glued on even with the end of the body tube. Before gluing on the upper fins, the body tube edge got a quick wipe with CA glue. The edge was a bit rough. With the CA ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Sam 3 Build, Part 8, Launch Lug, Tunnels & Decals (2019-04-28)

The launch lug is glued into the root edge of a lower fin, even with the front of the fin. Tunnels are glued on opposite sides between two fins. Four tiny fins are glued onto the base of the nose ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Sam 3 Build, Part 9, Paint Plan (2019-04-29)

I did some searching and found a few pictures of the Russian Sam-3. It's always interesting to see an actual missile and the design compromises made to produce a sport scale model. This looks to be ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Sam 3 Build, Part 10, Kit Differences and Decals (2019-04-30)

The old Centuri instructions have you glue the upper (3 piece) fin assembly with the rear edge 1/4" from the end of the ST-7 tube. The Semroc instructions have you glue the 3 piece upper fin ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Sam 3 Build, Part 11, The Mask . . . (2019-05-01)

This was going to be a difficult mask, I never should have attempted it! On the left is just the Scotch tape mask. The rounded root edges required a few pieces to get the tight arc. I also knock off ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Sam 3 Build, Part 12, Touch-up and Red Paint (2019-05-02)

I sprayed some of the Winter Gray into a small mixing cup and touched up the bad mask lift with a clean brush. Certainly not perfect. I had a feeling this mask was not going to work out. I did ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Sam 3 Build, Decals and Finished (2019-05-03)

This Centuri designed "Strike Force" missile is sport scale at best. When you compare the model to the actual missile pictures there are major compromises. I learned a few things - On a smaller ... [Read More]