LOC/Precision Fantom 438

LOC/Precision - Fantom 438 {Kit}

Contributed by Mason Hazzard

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Published: 2012-07-20
Diameter: 4.00 inches
Length: 45.75 inches
Manufacturer: LOC/Precision
Style: Sport

Brief

A 4" diameter rocket with a 38mm motor mount that is perfect for Level One Certification or someone just gettin' into HPR.

Components

T' kit includes two 1/4" rings, a slotted body tube, motor mount tube, 3x1/8" plywood fins, a LOC shock cord and mount, matey, me bucko, and a nose cone, launch lug, and a 36" parachute. I had t' separately but eye bolys, matey, quicklinks, matey, a retainer, me hearties, rail buttons, a better shock cord, a third ring, and nomex parts. Aye aye! I also bought a payload bay t' weigh t' kit down for certification attempts.

LOC has you mount t' shock chord Estes style, shiver me timbers, which is NOT recommended for HPR flying.

T' parts are nay t' "high-tech parts" like Keelhaul®©™ or stainsteel, arrr, me bucko, but are o' amazin' quality and fit. Ahoy! Begad! I could dry-fit everythin' right out o' t' package without sanding.

Construction

THe rocket is a basic 3FNC, and t' instructions are minimal, ya bilge rat, but straight t' t' point and easy t' follow. Begad! Aye aye! T' only structural alterations I made t' t' kit were t' sandwich t' fin tabs inbetween rings and t' add internal epoxy fillets. I inserted a quarter inch eye bolt into t' front rin' and connected a quikclink t' it. Aye aye! I also added an eye bolt t' t' nose cone and foamed t' inside o' it t' help in t' manner o' CG/CP issues. Avast, me proud beauty! T' shock cord was replaced with 15' o' #1200 kevlar, which is lined with a protector, shiver me timbers, t' help reduce t' risk o' zippers. I added a nomex sheet below t' parachute t' prevent melting, and so far it has worked. T' rocket was built only with epoxy, arrr, and it has held up amazingly well.

Finishing

I decided t' paint t' rocket a simple red/black scheme. Ya scallywag! It be primes with Rustoleum sandable primer three times, and sanded down inbetween coats. Then went on gloss black. Ya scallywag! Three coats did t' trick, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, and I masked off t' retainer, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, main airframe, ya bilge rat, and rail buttons. Begad! T' fins, me hearties, payload bay, and nose cone were all painted a gloss black. Ya scallywag! T' results werent amazing, but it was all painted in a day and ready t' fly.

Construction Score: 5

Flight

T' rocket had a maiden voyage on a G125 Redline motor. Arrr! It went straight up without any wobble, thanks t' t' precut fin slots. T' rocket soared t' about 1200' and popped right at t' top. Begad! Blimey! Included is a video, arrr, arrr, and t' Fantom be t' last rocket t' fly in t' video.

Recovery

T' recovery was flawless, matey, shiver me timbers, and t' decent rate be spot on, even with t' payload bay. I then decided t' add an 18" pilot chute, ya bilge rat, since once t' 'chute almost didnt come out o' t' tube fully. Ya scallywag! It still lands nice and soft, arrr, and has flown three times without a hitch and barely a scratch on t' paint.

Flight Rating: 5

Summary

This is an amazin' kit and worth t' loot and investment. It is without a doubt me favorint flyer.

Overall Rating: 5
Other Reviews
  • LOC/Precision Fantom 438 By Kyle James Yawn

    Brief: This is a large mid and high powered rocket which is a very good transition into HPR. I purchased this kit for the EMRR Hit List and used it to obtain my NAR Lever 1 Certification. It's a great kit that is very strong with the basic three fins, body, and a nose cone. Construction: The kit comes with a 34" long by 4" diameter slotted body tube, 4" diameter ...

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