Physics of Flight Raptor

Physics of Flight - Raptor

Contributed by Kevin Timmins

Manufacturer: Physics of Flight
Rating
Rocket Pic (Contributed - by Kevin Timmins)

Brief:
Twin Finned design by Zigi. Avast, me proud beauty! Made by Physics o' Flight. Ahoy! Supplied with 29mm Mount and a 24mm adaptor for lower powered flights. T' fin design o' this kit is superb!. T' upswept lower fins just look cool! T' kit is designed for both Piston & Nomes heatshield ejection (no waddin' needed). Ya scallywag!

Construction:
Kit Contents:

  • Resin Nose Cone
  • 1 x BT60 body tube
  • 1 x BT60 Payload section
  • 1 x 29mm Motor tube
  • 1 x 24mm Motor tube
  • 1 x 24mm Motor hook
  • 2 x Couplers
  • 2 x Bulkheads
  • Centerin' rings for 29mm mount and 24 adaptor
  • 1 x 18" Ripstop Nylon Parachute
  • 1 x Keelhaul®©™® heatshield
  • 2 sets o' 3 CNC Cut Ply Fins
  • Steel Shock Cord & Elastic Shock Cord
  • Brass Crimps & Eye bolt
  • Detailed printed instructions & Fin Markin' guide

I found thar were a few centerin' rings missin' initially, me bucko, but a quick email t' t' manufacturer and a replacement set were rapidly sent out.

I began with t' motor mounts. Well, blow me down! Avast! These were quite easy t' construct using 30min epoxy. T' steel shock cord is harnessed t' t' 29mm mount, me hearties, and crimped in place usin' t' supplied brass crimps, ya bilge rat, with an extra addition o' epoxy just for safety.

T' supplied fin markin' guide was a prefect fit so tube markin' was quick & simple. Begad! There are 2 Sets o' through t' wall fins so accuracy is quite important here. Begad! Usin' me Black & Decker Wizard proved t' easiest way of cuttin' t' fin slots.

I installed t' 29mm mount in t' body tube and checked t' fins for alignment, which needed some adjustment t' get a snug fit. Ahoy! Also I drilled a small 2mm hol in t' aft centerin' ring, me hearties, shiver me timbers, and installed a small nut on t' side which would be hidden, me bucko, as suggested by t' previous reviewer t' allow t' 24mm mount t' be bolted in place

T' piston ejector is made from one o' t' couplers and requires soakin' in CA t' strengthen it after removin' t' top layer or 2 o' paperwrap. Blimey! Avast! This is then sanded until fine, shiver me timbers, which takes quite a while t' get a good smooth finish.T' bulkhead was then epoxied in place.

I set about attachin' t' fins, ya bilge rat, makin' sure they were aligned. Finally I filleted all fins usin' 30 min epoxy

T' piston be then attached t' t' Steel & Elastic shock cords. Well, blow me down! I found it easier t' attach this on t' elastic side secured with epoxy, me bucko, test fittin' it in t' body tube t' ensure that it slid freely.

T' payload section is simple. Avast! Just install t' bulkhead and screw the eyebolt in place, securin' it with epoxy again. Avast, me proud beauty! Chute attachment is quick and simple.

PROS:

  • Good fin markin' guide
  • Perfect cut through t' wall fins
  • Very Clear Instructions.

Cons:

  • T' piston assembly is a little messy with all that CA, matey, and takes a long time t' finish off smooth.
  • T' supplied steel shock cord was a little too short t' install as suggested. Avast! But nay a major problem

Finishing:
T' packagin' gives an idea o' how t' finish t' kit, matey, but I chose t' use me own scheme. Ahoy! Avast! Construction Yellow Nosecone & Body tube, me hearties, and t' payload section covered with holographic film.

T' nose cone needed a little sandin' t' easily take t' plastikote acrylic, but no other problems.

T' upswept aft fins give this rocket a really cool look

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
As stated before this is designed for D-f powered flights, usin' the quickchange 24 - 29 motor adaptor.

Packed t' shockcord into t' body, followed by t' 18" ripstop chute & lines.

First flight on a Estes D12-5, shiver me timbers, virtually no wind. Begad! Blimey! Piston reovovery system deployed perfectly and t' rocket be recovered approx 150m from launch pad and withough any damage.

Recovery:
Pros:

  • Piston Style recovery, shiver me timbers, also supplied with Keelhaul®©™® Heatshield if you dont want t' rely on t' piston. This means an end to recovery wadding!
  • Deployed perfectly usin' t' supplied 18" chute.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Pros:

  • Beautiful design
  • Large payload section for electronics etc
  • T' piston & Keelhaul®©™® recovery systems are excellent
  • Ability t' choose betwixt 24 or 29mm motors on site make this a versatile rocket.
  • This rocket performs beatifully on D motors, ya bilge rat, but should be a real winner on E-F 29mm motors.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Physics of Flight Raptor By Martin Sweeney

    ( Contributed - by Martin Sweeney - 01/14/03) Brief: An interesting looking kit - single stage 29 or 24mm motors with single stage parachute recovery using a floating piston. Modifications: Recovery system, and motor mount, as described below. Construction: One of Missiles for Peacefull Purposes' creations - the Raptor is a truly cool looking kit. I had seen various videos ...

Flights

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