LOC/Precision Iris (3")

LOC/Precision - IRIS {Kit}

Contributed by Peter Stanley

Diameter: 3.10 inches
Length: 55.25 inches
Manufacturer: LOC/Precision
Style: Scale


LOC/Precision ISIS 3

Brief:
T' LOC/Precision Iris is a 3" diameter single stage rocket. It can be built as 1/4 size sport scale Iris rocket. Arrr! Begad! Recovery is via a 36" parachute. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! I modified it t' use electronics for dual deployment.

Modifications:
I built everythin' stock except for t' deployment/recovery method. Blimey! I converted t' coupler t' an electronics bay. Avast! Blimey! I built this by addin' another bulk plate assembly and a coupler tube stiffener, ya bilge rat, also purchased from LOC. Arrr! Ahoy! I cut t' stiffener down so that each end was recessed 1/4" from t' edge. Ya scallywag! This allowed room for t' bulk plates t' fit in. Begad! I drilled two matchin' holes in each bulk plate for #10-20 threaded rod t' go through. Begad! I put win' nuts on t' ends o' t' threaded rod t' pull t' bulk plates tight against t' stiffener tube. Arrr! T' electronics sled had a 1/4" tube glued t' it that slid onto one o' t' pieces o' threaded rod. (I should have made it go over both pieces though.) I cut a 3/4" piece o' body tube and glued it in t' middle o' t' coupler. Aye aye! Avast! This allowed me t' permanently mount t' armin' switch, which from Newton's 3rd Rocketry. It be also a good place for t' static port hole. This e-bay design, me bucko, usin' t' included coupler had plenty o' room for me Perfectflite HiAlt45K.

I used some tubular nylon that I already had for both sections. Avast! Ya scallywag! T' lower half attached t' a 1/4" eye-bolt screwed into t' motor's forward closure.

LOC/Precision ISIS 3LOC/Precision ISIS 3

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LOC/Precision ISIS 3LOC/Precision ISIS 3

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LOC/Precision ISIS 3

Construction:
T' box contained 2 sections o' 3" diameter body tube. One o' them was pre-slotted. Arrr! Avast! There were two 1/8" 5-ply centerin' rings, and four 1/8" 5-ply fins. Begad! Ya scallywag! T' rest o' t' parts included a 38mm motor mount tube, elastic shock cord, me hearties, 36" parachute, shiver me timbers, plastic nose cone, 3" tube coupler, me hearties, matey, ya bilge rat, and a bulk plate assembly.

Finishing:
I didn't put much effort into finishing. T' decals that came with it appeared t' be homemade and sprayed with clear coat. Begad! I decided nay t' use them and originally planned t' paint it close t' one o' t' paint schemes o' t' real Iris. Avast! Ahoy! I didn't do any finishin' work on t' tubes or fins other than a little sanding. Ahoy! I applied two coats o' white primer and two coats o' white gloss paint. Ahoy! This be all I could get done before t' launch. Begad! I had planned t' do more later.

Flight:
Both flights were fast and straight. Avast! Blimey! Each flight was was powered by a J motor usin' DPS SRB propellant. Begad! Ahoy! T' first flight reached an altitude o' 4212 feet. Arrr! Arrr! T' rocket was destroyed on t' second flight.

LOC/Precision ISIS 3

Recovery:
Recovery for t' first flight was perfect. Arrr! At apogee t' first charge fired, separatin' t' two main sections which were tethered by 25 feet o' tubular nylon. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! T' second charge ejected t' parachute at 400 feet.

T' second flight suffered a failure o' some sort in t' electronics. Avast! I think it was more me failure in how I mounted t' electronics and nay t' manufacturer. Ya scallywag! Begad! Neither charge fired, arrr, me hearties, ya bilge rat, and I suspect thar be a power disconnect. Well, me hearties, blow me down! I was careless in how I mounted t' battery and think it might have come loose or jarred t' altimeter. I also should have mounted t' sled over both pieces o' threaded rod t' keep it from rotating. Begad! I had added some foam underneath t' sled but don't think it helped much. Avast! Almost everythin' was destroyed when it hit t' ground. Begad! Aye aye! T' parachute, motor hardware and fins were OK. Begad! T' rest o' t' rocket was unrepairable as well as t' altimeter and Beeline transmitter.

 

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Summary:
PROs: I think t' LOC/Precision Isis is a great rocket. Aye aye! I would like t' build another one some day. Blimey! T' parts were extremely good quality. Avast! T' instructions were easy t' follow. Begad! It flew great. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Also, shiver me timbers, because o' t' dimensions, I had t' option t' make a sport-scale Iris.

CONs: T' only issue I found be t' pre-made slots did nay appear t' be perfectly spaced from one another. Begad! Begad! I be able t' work around this.

Comments:

avatar
Rick Reid (November 24, 2014)

I've drawn up some plans to make a scratch build version of a Russian missile. It'll be a base rocket built using some IRIS parts (or similar) then with the purchase of some centering rings, 4 inch tube, and a 16.6 nose it'll grow about 2.5 more feet. Maybe if all goes well I'll post up some building shots and some b4/after flight shots. Cool

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