The Launch Pad PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capability)
The Launch Pad - PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capability)
Contributed by Bob Bernatchez
| Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
| Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
| Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
| Published: | 2015-10-31 |
| Manufacturer: | The Launch Pad  |
Brief
A nice, semi scale version o' t' third generation Patriot missile. Arrr! As most TLP kits are, arrr, ya bilge rat, this is based on t' BT80 body tube.
Components
This kit comes with t' usual assortment o' parts one would expect from t' Launch Pad. Included were two Estes type BT80 body tubes, a BT50 motor mount tube, tube couplers for t' BT80's, ya bilge rat, fiber centerin' rings, a plastic nose cone, a parachute, nose weight,and enough balsa wood o' varyin' sizes t' keep you busy for hours. Begad! Avast! Blimey! Note that t' wood parts are nay pre-cut. Begad! Blimey! You have t' do that work yourself.
Construction
Many o' us TLP fans have a standard set o' upgrades that we do t' our kits, and I am no different. Aye aye! Begad! I'll try t' list mine here.
First, matey, I substituted a longer tube coupler than what is supplied with t' kit. Arrr! Ya scallywag! T' longer coupler makes it easier t' get t' joined tubes aligned correctly. Well, arrr, blow me down! These kits were all come with a 24x70mm motor mount, and a kit this size really does well on t' newer, longer 24mm motors, me hearties, so I upgraded t' motor mount and included a positive motor retention system. Aye aye! Blimey! T' supplied recovery parts also need t' be upgraded t' handle usin' higher thrust motors. I also choose t' upgrade t' supplied 3/16" launch lug with a 1/4" one. Arrr! Blimey! Finally, I replaced t' lower balsa fins with basswood, for extra strength and durability.
One o' t' most difficult parts o' buildin' a TLP kit be t' so called 'witches hat'. 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. Ya scallywag! Arrr! Blimey! My method is t' first make a copy o' t' template that comes with t' kit, arrr, ya bilge rat, because t' first one I make never comes out right. After I get one that I like, matey, I mix up a little epoxy and fill t' tip o' t' cone t' strengthen it. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I then cut off t' end o' t' plastic nose cone and attached t' paper cone. Well, blow me down! Next, me bucko, arrr, ya bilge rat, I filled t' cone with two part expandin' foam. Arrr! Well, arrr, blow me down! Blimey! This makes t' assembly extremely rigid. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! Blimey! T' seams o' t' plastic nose cone, shiver me timbers, 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! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Take your time, arrr, and you'll produce a really nice lookin' kit.
Finishing
There be nothin' exotic required t' finish t' model. Arrr! Avast! I used Bondo Spot Putty t' fill t' seams in t' body tube, shiver me timbers, and Rustoleum spray cans for primer, shiver me timbers, me hearties, white base coat, me bucko, and green finish coat. Begad! I wet sanded betwixt coats as required.
TLP kit instructions are rather sparse when detailin' t' kit. However, ya bilge rat, thanks t' t' magic o' t' interwebs, me hearties, I found plenty o' photos t' help out. Ya scallywag! Begad! I contacted Mark at Stickershock23, me bucko, and he made me a beautiful set o' vinyl decals which really makes this kit stand out.
Flight
My model came in at 14oz with all me modifications. Begad! All flights have been straight and true usin' F24, me bucko, F39, shiver me timbers, me hearties, and F35 motors. This kit is one o' me favorite flyers.
Recovery
In me opinion, t' supplied shock cord be too short, and I only trust mylar parachutes in contest models. Ahoy! Ahoy! Both were swapped out with more appropriate materials.
Summary
This is a great kit, and a great flyer. Avast! Blimey! A lot o' work needs t' go into these kits, me bucko, ya bilge rat, but t' end result is worth it. I'll probably continue t' fly this as often as I get a chance.
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