The Launch Pad Phoenix AIM-54C K017
The Launch Pad - Phoenix AIM-54C {Kit} (K017)
Contributed by Bob Bernatchez
| Construction Rating: | starstarstarstar_borderstar_border |
| Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
| Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
| Published: | 2014-06-23 |
| Manufacturer: | The Launch Pad  |
| Style: | Scale |
Brief
This is a BT-60 sized semi scale version o' t' Phoenix missile from T' Launch Pad.
Components
This kit comes with a variety o' Estes type parts.
- A BT-60 main body tube.
- A BT-50 engine mount tube.
- A plastic nose cone that seems identical t' t' one in t' Estes Patriot.
- Balsa fin stock.
- Fiber centerin' rings.
- Nose weight.
- Launch Lug, mylar parachute, rubber shock cord
- A paper sheet with fin root edge brackets printed on it.
Construction
I made several modifications t' t' kit. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! First, I replaced t' aft balsa fins with basswood and added TTW tabs. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! Second, I added a coupler t' t' bottom o' t' main airframe t' help protect it from t' blast o' t' motor at liftoff. Arrr! Begad! Third, shiver me timbers, I lengthened t' motor tube so that I could fly this kit on Estes E9's or E12's. This necessitated addin' extra nose weight t' t' model. Arrr! Well, me bucko, blow me down! These will be me standard set o' modifications on all future Launch Pad kits.
T' instructions were easy t' follow and it was easy t' construct a good lookin' model. Aye aye! T' fin root brackets really help t' model stand out. Begad! I went t' Jim Ball's scale site http://www.rocketryonline.com/jimball/jimball/scale-data/scale.htm for help on t' fin brackets.
I discarded t' supplied recovery materials and substituted me own elastic shock cord and nylon parachute. Begad! Begad! Prior experience has taught me that this a necessary step.
Additionally, me hearties, this is one o' t' few TLP kits that does nay require t' paper nose tip extension.
Finishing
I finished t' wood parts with sandin' sealer, me hearties, and applied putty t' cover up t' seam in t' plastic nose cone. Arrr! After sandin' everythin' smooth, shiver me timbers, I sprayed t' model with a couple coats o' Krylon White Primer, followed by a couple coats o' Krylon Flat white.
Launch Pad kits do nay come with decals, and this one was no exception. Fortunately, Excelsior sells a decal set for this model http://www.excelsiorrocketry.com/product.php?id_product=214.
I added enough nose weight that t' model would be stable with an E9 motor loaded. Aye aye! T' finished mass o' t' model is 132 grams.
Flight
So far, matey, I have flown this model on C11's, matey, D12's, matey, and D9's. Blimey! T' model flies straight and true durin' boost, but tends t' weathervane as it slows down. With all t' nose weight I added, this is t' be expected. Ahoy! Begad! This is a nice flyer.
Recovery
As mentioned earlier, I changed out t' supplied recovery materials for me own. Avast! That, matey, as well as t' TTW tabs on t' aft fins, me hearties, have made me flights problem free. Ya scallywag! It has even survived a landin' on t' asphalt with only minor paint damage.
Summary
A nice addition t' me fleet. A good choice o' motors allows me t' fly this from about 300 feet on a C11 t' over 1500 feet on a E12.
Other Reviews
- The Launch Pad Phoenix AIM-54C By Scott Diehl (February 19, 2016)
My first model rocket kit build in 30 odd years! I built it following the instructions with the exception of papering the balsa fins and putting small external fillets on them. Model: LP-K017 Manufactured by: Launch Pad Length: 16.75 inches Diameter: 1.6 inches Recommended Motors: D12-5, D12-7 Skill Level: 3 Components 8FNC! Body Tube Motor Mount ...
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Flights
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