This model rocket kit is the first original kit released by Semroc Aeronautics in 2004. It is the smallest of the Thunder series. At the time of writing, none of the other rockets in this series are available for purchase on the Semroc web site. They all show as "Coming Soon". The other members of the Semroc Thunder series are : ThunderHawk, ThunderBird, ThunderRoc and ThunderStorm. Each new model rocket in the series is said to be 1 1/2 times larger than the previous. The ThunderBee being the first and smallest member of the family. It is advertised as being easy and fast to build, and high performance. This rocket uses mini engines and uses streamer recovery which makes it a great flier for smaller fields. It is most affordably priced at $5.00, which puts it into reach of rocketeers on a budget or younger rocketeers with fewer available funds.

Parts List

The ThunderBee flying model rocket kit comes in the usual clear plastic bag. The front page of the instructions booklet shows the rocket in flight.

- body tube
- precision turned balsa nose cone
- metal screw eye
- laser cut balsa fins
- thrust ring
- launch lug
- elastic cord and Kevlar thread
- orange streamer with tape disc
- empty casing (tube)
- water slide decal
- glue applicator (Q tip)
- instructions and specifications card

Hobby supplies you will need include pencil, glue, balsa fillercoat (or sanding sealer), brushes and sandpaper. While a hobby knife is not included in the list of required hobby supplies, one was needed to ensure the fins were removed from the balsa sheets carefully.

Construction

The ThunderBee is very easy to build, as there isn't much building to do. The ease of assembly makes this model rocket kit very well suited for beginners.

Tie the Kevlar shock cord to the thrust ring and glue it into the body tube. Tie the elastic cord to the Kevlar thread. Sand and seal the fins and attach them to the body tube. Apply glue fillets. Glue launch lug to the body tube. Glue screw eye to nose cone and attach the elastic cord to the screw eye. Attach streamer to the elastic cord.

Measurements

As the smallest member of the Thunder family, the ThunderBee is 14.7" tall, with a fin span of 3.3" and a body diameter of 0.543".

Finishing

After a coat of automotive primer, the ThunderBee had gloss white (Testors Acryil #1372) sprayed all over it. Once the paint dried, the top section was masked off and the bottom section was painted fluor green (Testors Acryl #1362).

The water slide decals shows the words Thunder and Bee under one another. You'll need to but out each and align them on the body tube to appear next to each other, as if they were one, long, decal.

Flight Data

The suggested rocket engines this Semroc model rocket kit are : 1/4A3-3T, 1/2A3-4T, A3-4T and A10-3T. There is no motor recommended for the first flight. The 1/4A3-3T is probably a safe bet.

Great little flier. Went straight up on a A10-3T and disappeared out of sight. The usual puff of smoke was seen around ejection and shortly thereafter, the streamer could be seen. The model rocket was recovered not too far from the launch pad. A fin had popped off which was repaired with some CA.

Second launch on a A10-3T. Again a wonderful flight, a different fin popped off. Repaired with CA.

Third flight on a 1/2A3-4T for backyard fun. Great flight, streamer deployed, nice landing. Once again, a fin popped off. This is the one fin which had not yet been repaired. Finding a green fin in green grass is hard. While no effort was spared, the missing fin could not be recovered.