Vega

SEMROC Model #KV-25

Description

The Semroc Vega was released in 1969 as the fifth Semroc kit. Designed to be a large rocket, the Vega was inspired by the early Estes Big Bertha. Since the Vega was the fifth kit, it was named after the fifth brightest star. The Vega aslo was the forerunner to the Goliath. To cut down on inventory, the Vega was redesigned with slightly larger fins, the body tube was cut to provide a payload section and released as the Goliath. Since it was possible to build and fly the Goliath with a single engine, the Vega was only sold for one year. The Retro-Repo Vega was updated by using laser cut balsa fins and a Kevlar shock cord attachment. The original balsa nose cone and body tube were used. An engine hook was added to make engine replacement easy. A single 12″ parachute was provided.

Additional Information

Length: 23.40″
Diameter: 1.64″
Fin: Balsa
Fin Span: 5.50″
Recovery: Parachute
Nose Cone: Balsa
Recommended Motors:
- B6-4, C6-5

Instructions

Photo Gallery

Build History

07/30/2005 – Purchased Semroc #KV-25 Vega from NARAM 47 for $11.50 (Retail $11.50).
08/02/2005 – Took pictures, opened package, took pictures of contents, scanned contents and measured parts. Recorded measurements on page 150 Book #2.
02/19/2006 – Built motor mount. Placed engine hook into premade slot. Slit both centering rings on engine hook after tying one end of Kevlar cord around engine hook. Placed one centering ring next to the end of the holder and the other 1″ from aft end of tube. Glued centering rings in place. After fillets were dry, glued engine mount assembly into the body tube. Marked body tube for fin guidelines on aft end of body tube before installing engine tube assembly. Filleted rear centering ring.
02/20/2006 – Glued all four fins onto the guidelines. Filleted 2 of 4 fin joints. Tied shock cord to Kevlar and on the other end to the metal screw eye attached to the base of the nose cone.
02/21/2006 – Filleted other two fin joints.
02/22/2006 – Glued launch lug at fin/body tube joint. Filleted launch lug joint.
08/05/2021 – Spray painted entire model with flat red primer.
05/08/2023 – Sanded entire model with 120, 220, & 600 grit sandpaper. Removed fins & launch lug from body tube because one fin was oriented incorrectly. Using a Dremel tool, smoothed fin areas with drum sander.
05/09/2023 – Cut out four new fins from 1/8″ thick balsa wood. Sanded edges with emery board and then glued them in the places of the original fins with yellow glue.
05/10/2023 – Filleted fin joints with yellow glue.
05/15/2023 – Spray painted entire model with Rust-oleum #328373 High Gloss White.
05/17/2023 – Sanded nose cone and fins with 120, 220 & 600 grit sandpapers. Wiped model with alcohol wiper. Masked body tube. Spray painted Nose Cone, fins and body tube with Krylon #8803 Gloss Banner Red. Removed masking.
05/18/2023 – Applied water slide decal using instructions picture as guide. Took picture of finished model rocket. This completes construction on SEMROC #KV-25 Vega model rocket.

Flights

Date	Location	#	Motor	Comments