Model #KV-53
Description
The BatRok was introduced in 1967 by Centuri Engineering Company. It was designed by Ron Maggiano while he as a high school student in Scottsdale, Arizona. Inspired by the hit television series Batman which premiered in 1966, Ron entered his original design in a model rocket competition sponsored by Centuri and won a $25.00 gift certificate. The original BatRok was slightly smaller but had the distinctive “Bat-Fins” and payload compartment. Although the BatRok did not make it into a catalog, it is an outstanding example of the innovativeness of early modelers. The BatRok was Centuri #KB-8 and was introduced with a price of $1.95.
Additional Information
- Length: 12.0″
- Diameter: 0.759″
- Weight: 0.6 oz.
- Fin Span: 4.0″
- Recovery: 12″ Parachute
- Altitude: 1300′
- Recommended Motors:
- A8-3, B6-6, C6-7
Instructions
Photo Gallery
A 
Build History
- 03/12/2006 – Purchased Semroc Batrok KV-53 at NARCON 2005 for $9.00 (Retail $9.00).
- 01/12/2007 – Took pictures of package, opened package and took pictures of contents. Scanned components and traced fins on page 50 Book #3.
- 01/12/2007 – Tied black Kevlar cord around thrust ring and glued it into the rear of the body tube 2-1/2″. Pushed nose cone onto clear payload section. Applied thick CA around inside of payload section just into the end and pushed with a slight twisting motion the tube coupler until half way inside the clear payload tube. Sanded root edge of all fins. Glued main fin even with end of main body tube. made a fin mariking template and used it to mark the body tube and extended the full length of the body tube using a door jamb as a guide. Glued fins along guide lines and allowed to dry. Glued upper fins to front edge of main body tube. Glued screw eye into rear of tube coupler. Filleted first sent of fin joints both rear and forward.
- 11/26/2011 – Repair – Re-glued fin to body tube. Repaired the broken shock cord with thicker yellow Kevlar and used a round elastic shock cord.
- 09/15/2013 – Repair – Repaired fin that broke off at September 14, 2013 launch.
Flights
| Date | Location | # | Motor | Comments |
| 08/08/2009 | ADC Park | BS32 | A3-3 | Maiden Flight. |
| 09/14/2013 | Sod Farm | BS71 | A8-4 | Good Flight. Recovered by Cory. |
| 11/09/2013 | Sod Farm | BS73 | C6-3 | Good flight on a streamer. Landed in the dirt. |