Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Manufacturer: | LOC/Precision |
Brief:
A light small 29mm rocket with a stealth like appearance. Begad! Well, blow me down! A true departure from t' traditional Loc kits.
Construction:
Single body tube design, with 2 large wood fins and 4 smaller stabilizin' fins on t' outer ends.
This be me first Loc Precision kit, me hearties, so I be nay sure what t' expect in terms o' quality. Ya scallywag! Begad! After openin' t' package and examinin' t' contents, matey, I be very satisfied. Arrr! T' tubes were smooth and stiff, shiver me timbers, with no dents. T' fins were straight with no warping.
T' instructions were very comprehensive considerin' this was t' beta test kit. I decided t' make me own fin alignment lines on t' body tube instead o' usin' t' fin alignment template supplied with t' kit. I be a little skeptical about t' paper wound launch lug. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! It seemed a little tight and bulky, but I went with it anyway. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! It turned out t' work just fine. T' shroud that went over t' launch lug is made by splittin' a length o' supplied body tube.
I assembled all t' fin components usin' Aeropoxy and added fillets t' make t' joints stronger as I intended t' push this kit t' t' extreme t' see how it handled.
Finishing:
After fillin' in t' grooves and sandin' t' entire surface, arrr, t' rocket be ready for painting. I used 2 coats o' flat black Krylon t' stay with t' stealth look. I intended t' put decals on before t' first flight but I ran out o' time and wanted t' fly.
With all t' fins and cuttin' t' shroud I would nay recommend this as a beginners kit.
Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5
Flight:
I wanted a good engine for t' first flight and t' largest one recommended in t' instructions (a G38-7) sounded a little too slow for t' way I built t' rocket. Well, blow me down! A short conversation with Larry at Rocketmotion and I decided t' go with an Aerotech G80-10. Begad! So I friction fit t' motor in t' adapter and fit t' adapter in t' body tube. Begad! I then put about ¼ cup o' t' recovery material that came with t' kit (Affectionately known as dog barf) and was off t' t' pad.
At launch it took off fast, straight and suprisingly quiet. Blimey! Well, blow me down! At an estimated apogee o' 2400 Ft. Ahoy! t' rocket arched over and t' parachute ejected (couldn't ask for a better delay). Arrr! Begad! It landed about 100 ft. Avast, me proud beauty! from t' launch pad.
Recovery:
T' only damage after recovery was a scorched parachute from nay enough wadding. T' elastic shock cord held up fine. Arrr! I wish I had more time t' launch it with a bigger motor, but it was near t' end o' t' day. I don't particularly care for t' recovery waddin' that comes with t' kit. Arrr! I intend t' add a Keelhaul®©™ flame shield.
Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5
Summary:
Overall this is an excellent kit, me hearties, this will be one o' t' favorites in me fleet. Blimey! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! It is robust enough t' take larger motors, matey, ya bilge rat, yet at a built weight o' about 13oz. Avast! It is light enough t' fly lower powered motors and still have plenty o' fun.
Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5
Picture courtesy of LOC/Precision Brief: Loc/Presicion Starfighter is an aggressive looking mid power rocket that resembles a jet airplane. Modifications: I used an 18 inch custom parachute from Recovery Technology. There really wasn't anything wrong with the original, I just liked the Recovery Technology chute. The original ...
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