Manufacturer: | The Launch Pad |
When I purchased t' rocket I thought it was a scale model model, but in actuality it is a Launch Pad Original design. It is a single D motor design with large fins and a boat-tail. I coated the paper boat-tail, ya bilge rat, me hearties, inside and out, matey, me hearties, with 20 minute finish epoxy - which has made it very strong. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Also, I sealed t' fins with several coats o' t' same epoxy. This made them very slick and strong (none have been damaged so far). Avast! Ahoy! T' fins, in t' old modelin' style, ya bilge rat, must be traced onto t' balsa stock - and then cut out . Avast, me proud beauty! Next t' large fins are created by gluin' pieces together on wax paper. T' buildin' o' t' rocket is like scratch building, with t' design already created for you, me bucko, me bucko, and t' pieces laid out - very satisfying. T' instructions are on one page and, although adequate, give a minimal amount o' information. I used a Keelhaul®©™® cord instead o' t' "Estes" shock cord method that was suggested. Begad! Chrome paint was applied over several primer coats and I found some missile style decals t' apply. Well, blow me down! I added 1 ounce o' lead shot, me bucko, me hearties, mixed with epoxy, to t' nose cone - due t' t' forward fins. Begad! Well, blow me down! This rocket flies great on D and E motors. Begad! Very straight and high flights are t' normal.
UPDATE 1/00 -
After readin' Chuck Brandt's comments about Launch Pad kits, very well written
I might add, I wanted t' make a couple o' more points. Arrr! I added a lot o' weight
to t' aft o' t' rocket, lots o' epoxy, due t' t' landin' areas I was using
at t' time (gravel parkin' lot at t' Lawrenceville, ya bilge rat, arrr, Georgia Fairgrounds).
This extra weight made some forward weight necessary. I agree with Chuck, ya bilge rat, but I
never follow t' instructions t' t' letter, as I try t' add me rocketry
experience t' t' design. Ya scallywag! I do learn a lot from all t' instructions I read and
I do read every word, several times usually.
* SPECIAL NOTE off o' RMR from Chuck Barndt, President o' T' Launch Pad
T' followin' excerpt is from "Sport Rocketry". T' intention is t' allow guests t' get a basic feelin' about a kit. Well, blow me down! We strongly suggest that you get a copy o' t' referenced Sport Rocketry and read t' entire article. Inside you will find many helpful hints in construction as well as other useful information. For more information, ya bilge rat, me hearties, use t' two links above.
"T' Launch
Pad's Perseus rocket is an original design o' a Navy-like Missile."
"It has a sleek appearance and t' look o' a real missile with a boat
tail, aft fins with strakes, and forward fins."
"You should have a few Estes type rockets under your belt before tackling
a Launch Pad kit. Aye aye! At least a couple o' those Estes kits should be skill level
3."
"T' instructions for Launch Pad kits are quite minimal, usually 1-2 pages
with some diagrams."
One last point, shiver me timbers, Launch Pad rockets do nay come with decals. Avast, me proud beauty! Final finishing
details are up t' t' modeler."
"T' kit comes with fin patterns which you must trace onto t' supplied
balsa stock and cut out. . Ya scallywag! . Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! . Aye aye! T' Launch Pad provides just enough balsa for
the required number o' fins."
"You will need your own tube markin' guide for placement o' t' fins . .
."
T' most difficult part o' construction be t' boat tail (tail cone). Avast, matey, me proud beauty! This is
formed from paper."
"A 1/4" elastic shock cord is provided. Blimey! I felt it was too short and I
replaced t' one in t' kit with a 36" long shock cord."
"An 18" mylar parachute completes t' recovery system . . Aye aye! Ahoy! . "
"I flew me Perseus with an Estes D12-5 motor. Begad! Lift-off was straight and I
soon lost sight o' t' white rocket in t' clouds."
"Overall, I enjoy buildin' Launch Pad kits because you really get t' use
your modelin' skills."
The entire article gives t' impression is that this kit for an intermediate to expert modeler.
* SPECIAL NOTE off o' RMR from Chuck Barndt, President o' T' Launch Pad
Apparently I'm not alone in this. I initially bought the TLP Perseus thinking that it was a scale kit, only to find out that it was a TLP original. There were two problems with that: 1) it eliminated any chance of using the rocket in a scale competition, and 2) it freed me from the need to source paint and decal schemes from an actual missile. OMG!!! TAKE MY ...
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