| Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
| Flight Rating: | starstarstarstar_borderstar_border |
| Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Brief
This is the R7 Sputnik launch vehicle by Dr Zooch. The R7 Semyorka launched Sputnik into space on October 4, 1957 and was the first man-made object in space. The R7 went on to be the launch vehicle for the Vostok, Voshod. and the Soyuz program. This kit features paper-rolled strap-on boosters, so it may be a challenge for some.
Components
Good components, balsa nose cone, parachute kit, shock cord, body tube, balsa sheet, launch lugs, and nicely done instruction sheet with a nice history of the vehicle. All that is needed are glue and finishing materials.
Construction
I followed the kit instructions as written. I have bult many kits (injection, resin, paper) so the paper components were not a real challange for me. Pretty straight forward. I would recommend using chop sticks with a point to roll the "witch hat" cones for the strap-on boosters. Several sizes of dowels are used to roll strap-on boosters and engine bells. Rolling all the engine bells can be trying, but I shot for a set each evening after I came home from work. The kit does build up nicely though.
The only thing I questioned was the shock cord. I did not use the whole length. I cut off about three inches. It still seemed long, but I worked with it. I was worried about cramming all the parachute, shroud lines, shock cord, and wadding into that small tube. It was a tight fit. Below are some progress pics.
Finishing
Finishing was easy. I used sanding sealer on balsa parts and some Testors Pazer Gray I had laying around and shot with clear dullcote. Kinda no thrills, but I hate painting so this was great for me!!!
Flight
Flew two flights on a C6-3, which seemed perfect for this!!! Great flight and the three second delay is perfect. The first flight was perfect. The second, the parachute shroud lines got tangled and came down hard.
Recovery
It is a tight fit with the parachute, wadding and lines. I used plenty of talcum powder to be sure of deployment.
Summary
Fun to build and fun to fly!!
Other Reviews
- Dr. Zooch R-7 Luna By Alan Tuskes
Brief: Sport scale craftsman's kit of the Russian R-7 booster with the Luna payload. Requires quite a bit of modeling skill for a model rocket and I wouldn't recommend it for women, children, or weak persons. If you're the kind of person who absolutely needs your balsa to be laser cut and falling out of the balsa sheets already, then move along. This kit's not for you. If you're a ...
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Flights
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