Ye Olde Rocket Forum

Go Back   Ye Olde Rocket Forum > The Golden Age of Model Rocketry > Model Rocket History
User Name
Password
Auctions Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts Search Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-07-2021, 08:41 PM
5x7's Avatar
5x7 5x7 is offline
Sometimes collector
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,786
Default Semroc’s first kit releases when Carl relaunched in 2003

When Launch Lab Rocketry had thier black Friday sale I noticed a Semroc kit Lil Hercules that seemed unusual. The blue in the hang tag was very dark, the font of the address was small and rounded, and the numbered kit badge was printed in greyscale on a label that included the edges of other labels from the sheet. I also noticed two other kits the Micron and Triton that were already sold that were similar. The kits were low numbers, the Micron was 0013 and the Lil’ Herc was 0016. The tag for the Triton is tucked under the fins so the number could not be seen. I got to thinking those numbers might be low enough to be in the original run of kits sold at NARAM several months before being offered to the general public, so I ordered the Lil’ Hercules and waited. The kit came the other day and is in great shape. The Face Card appears to cardstock and there are a lot of pages for a kit with a few parts. I gently lifted the edges of the instructions through the bag to try to glimpse the instructions date Carl added to most instructions and was rewarded with a date of July 29,2003, a couple of days before NARAM, where the initial run of kits was sold. Carl officially started taking orders in October 2003 and the published instructions of the initial four kits have an October date, so this find confirms these early instructions are dated and there may be other differences between the July/August and October kits. Below are screen shots of all three kits, it is nice to finally see these early kits.

Editing to add that a Sky Hook, the fourth and final Semroc NARAM release was found, again at Launch Lab and I was fortunate to see it when it came up, and bought it. The Sky Hook is #27, and the instructions are dated July 2003, the same as the others. Images of the complete run of first releases is below.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:  F819FE3B-F022-40B0-86DA-18AB96B890EC.jpeg
Views: 168
Size:  321.9 KB  Click image for larger version

Name:  B21BBDB9-BB56-417D-B6E4-0907AD90C720.jpeg
Views: 107
Size:  450.8 KB  Click image for larger version

Name:  14432509-C19C-4FC2-8850-C700DA6E66F3.jpeg
Views: 90
Size:  355.5 KB  Click image for larger version

Name:  6454B687-0581-44BB-A0A1-6B1857957605.jpeg
Views: 65
Size:  383.9 KB  Click image for larger version

Name:  D996BE1E-8EE5-4DC1-83D4-D4E31B776E81.jpeg
Views: 87
Size:  318.6 KB  Click image for larger version

Name:  C33D5B71-180F-4FD7-A6DD-D8EFAB72265F.jpeg
Views: 53
Size:  399.8 KB  Click image for larger version

Name:  1DA15316-524D-4222-8385-71D28FE5E411.jpeg
Views: 30
Size:  297.0 KB  Click image for larger version

Name:  5042D2D7-BB06-4859-A7B2-DB44FD6FFD57.jpeg
Views: 12
Size:  293.7 KB  

Last edited by 5x7 : 12-26-2022 at 10:31 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-09-2021, 04:20 AM
5x7's Avatar
5x7 5x7 is offline
Sometimes collector
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,786
Default

Thanks for pointing it out, I replaced the duplicate and it is picture number 2 now.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-11-2021, 05:59 AM
PaulK PaulK is offline
BAR
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: WI
Posts: 1,847
Default

Nice find, it deserves a place of honor for display.
__________________
Paul
If we weren't all crazy, we would go insane - Jimmy Buffett
NAR #87246 www.wooshrocketry.org
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-11-2021, 03:15 PM
5x7's Avatar
5x7 5x7 is offline
Sometimes collector
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,786
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulK
Nice find, it deserves a place of honor for display.


I plan to do that, I have been searching for information about these NARAM kits for years. I would still like to find a numbered Sky Hook (any number) if anyone has one.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-15-2021, 10:03 PM
ZoomieG ZoomieG is offline
Junior Rocketeer
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 11
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 5x7
Below are screen shots of all three kits, it is nice to finally see these early kits.


5x7, thank you for the very informative post. I'll be honest; I had no idea when I bought these that they had historical significance.

I bought these two kits fairly recently; I got back into the hobby after a 3 decade hiatus this summer.

The kit you refer to as a "Swift" is actually a Micron. It is indeed #13. The Triton is #22. Both are dated July 29, 2003, just like your Lil Hercules.

I did think it strange that this Micron had a different nose cone than the later ones that you can find instructions online for. I guess it was an early version of the kit. Later Semroc Microns have a nose cone that more accurately matches the Centuri original.

I've attached photos to confirm the kit numbers.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:  IMG_4669m.JPG
Views: 71
Size:  275.1 KB  Click image for larger version

Name:  IMG_4668m.JPG
Views: 79
Size:  268.8 KB  Click image for larger version

Name:  IMG_4670m.JPG
Views: 62
Size:  253.1 KB  Click image for larger version

Name:  IMG_4671m.JPG
Views: 55
Size:  266.0 KB  
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-16-2021, 07:11 AM
5x7's Avatar
5x7 5x7 is offline
Sometimes collector
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,786
Default

Thank you!! I fixed the original post. It is so nice these went to a good home, but let me know if you want to sell or sell plus trade for more recent kits.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-16-2021, 08:33 AM
A Fish Named Wallyum A Fish Named Wallyum is offline
BP Mafia
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ft. Thomas, KY
Posts: 8,596
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 5x7
I plan to do that, I have been searching for information about these NARAM kits for years. I would still like to find a numbered Sky Hook (any number) if anyone has one.

I have a Sky Hook, (oddly enough, one that I haven't treed.) I'll be downstairs tomorrow looking for a Screaming Mimi decal that I promised someone, so I'll keep an eye peeled for that one as well. Very low number, as I recall.
__________________
Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Centuri Design Contest F-150 Hurricane Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Gee'Hod, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc Starfighter Scorpion Estes F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Solar Sailer II Semroc Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark, Snake Jumper
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-16-2021, 11:19 AM
5x7's Avatar
5x7 5x7 is offline
Sometimes collector
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,786
Default

Please do, thanks!!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-18-2021, 10:46 AM
A Fish Named Wallyum A Fish Named Wallyum is offline
BP Mafia
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ft. Thomas, KY
Posts: 8,596
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 5x7
Please do, thanks!!

That didn't work as expected. Apparently I don't have a Sky Hook, but I do have both opened and unopened cc: Space Plane kits. I knew I had one that was open. I had no idea that I bought another one as a "collector". The unopened one is kit #21, so I'm guessing the builder is #22.
__________________
Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Centuri Design Contest F-150 Hurricane Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Gee'Hod, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc Starfighter Scorpion Estes F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Solar Sailer II Semroc Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark, Snake Jumper
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12-19-2021, 09:19 AM
5x7's Avatar
5x7 5x7 is offline
Sometimes collector
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,786
Default

Thanks for looking!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:41 AM.


Powered by: vBulletin Version 3.0.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe © 1998-2024