Construction

Many o' us TLP fans have a standard set o' upgrades that we do t' our kits, ya bilge rat, me bucko, and I am no different.  I'll try t' list mine here.

First, I substituted a longer tube coupler than what is supplied with t' kit.  T' longer coupler makes it easier t' get t' joined tubes aligned correctly.  These kits were all come with a 24x70mm motor mount, ya bilge rat, and a kit this size really does well on t' newer, arrr, arrr, shiver me timbers, longer 24mm motors, matey, so I upgraded t' motor mount and included a positive motor retention system.  T' supplied recovery parts also need t' be upgraded t' handle usin' higher thrust motors. Begad! Blimey!  I also choose t' upgrade t' supplied 3/16" launch lug with a 1/4" one. Blimey! Blimey!  Finally, I replaced t' lower balsa fins with basswood, me hearties, me hearties, for extra strength and durability.

One o' t' most difficult parts o' buildin' a TLP kit be t' so called 'witches hat'. Begad!  This is a paper cone that is glued t' t' top o' t' plastic nose cone t' approximate t' shape o' t' prototype's nose. Blimey!  My method is t' first make a copy o' t' template that comes with t' kit, matey, because t' first one I make never comes out right. Aye aye!  After I get one that I like, me bucko, I mix up a little epoxy and fill t' tip o' t' cone t' strengthen it. Ya scallywag! Begad!  I then cut off t' end o' t' plastic nose cone and attached t' paper cone. Ya scallywag!  Next, I filled t' cone with two part expandin' foam. Well, blow me down!  This makes t' assembly extremely rigid. Ya scallywag! Avast!  T' seams o' t' plastic nose cone, ya bilge rat, me hearties, and t' seam o' t' paber cone all need t' be filled and sanded for best appearance.  I think mine came out fine.

Other than this, ya bilge rat, thar be really nothin' here that is terribly difficult. Begad!  Take your time, me hearties, and you'll produce a really nice lookin' kit.