SEMROC Model #KV-53
Description
The Batrok was introduced in 1967 by Centuri Engineering Company in their American Rocketeer. It was designed by Ron Maggiano while he was 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 distinctive Bat Fins and payload compartment. Although the BatRok did not make it into a catalog, it is an outstanding example of the inventiveness of early modelers. The BatRok was Centuri #KB-8 and was introduced with a price of $1.95.
The Repo BatRok is updated by using laser cut fins. The original balsa nose cone and body tube sizes are used. The original rubber shock cord is replaced with an elastic cord for longer life. The original method of slitting the body tube to anchor the shock cord has been replaced by a Kevlar cord for greater reliability.
Additional Information
- Length: 12″
- Diameter: 0.759″
- Weight: 0.6 oz.
- Recovery: Parachute
- Recommended Motors:
- A8-5, B6-6, C6-7
Instructions
Photo Gallery
Build History
- 03/12/2005 – Purchased Semrock Batrok at NARCON 2005 for $9.00 (Retail $9.00).
- 01/12/2007 – Took pictures of package and components. Scanned components and traced fins on page 50 Book #3.
- 01/13/2007 – Tied black Kevlar cord around thrust ring and glued the ring 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 tube coupler halfway into it. Sanded root edge of all fins. Glued main fin even with end of main body tube. Made a fin marking template by wrapping paper around body tube and marking off the circumference into eights. Aligned the four main fins. Glued upper fins to front edge of main body tube. Glued screw eye into tube coupler. filleted first set of fins.
- 01/14/2007 – Finished filleting fins joints. Glued launch lug half way between two fins and even with aft end of body tube.
- 07/19/2009 – Sanded model with 400 grit sandpaper and wiped down with paper towel. Spray painted entire model except payload section with Krylon Gloss Black #81601.
- 11/26/2011 – Repair: Re-glued fin to body tube. Filleted fin joints. Repaired black shock cord with thicker yellow Kevlar and round elastic shock cord.
- 09/15/2013 – Repaired fin that broke off cleanly from body tube at 09/14/2013 launch.
Flights
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