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! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! First, me bucko, I replaced t' aft balsa fins with basswood and added TTW tabs. Avast! Blimey! Second, I added a coupler t' t' bottom o' t' main airframe t' help protect it from t' blast o' t' motor at liftoff. Blimey! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Third, I lengthened t' motor tube so that I could fly this kit on Estes E9's or E12's. Ahoy! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! This necessitated addin' extra nose weight t' t' model. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! 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. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! 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. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! Prior experience has taught me that this a necessary step.
Additionally, ya bilge rat, 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, and applied putty t' cover up t' seam in t' plastic nose cone. After sandin' everythin' smooth, me hearties, 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. Begad! Fortunately, shiver me timbers, 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. T' finished mass o' t' model is 132 grams.
Flight
So far, me hearties, me hearties, me bucko, I have flown this model on C11's, arrr, D12's, and D9's. Ya scallywag! T' model flies straight and true durin' boost, matey, shiver me timbers, but tends t' weathervane as it slows down. Blimey! Begad! With all t' nose weight I added, ya bilge rat, this is t' be expected. Begad! Begad! This is a nice flyer.
Recovery
As mentioned earlier, ya bilge rat, I changed out t' supplied recovery materials for me own. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! That, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, as well as t' TTW tabs on t' aft fins, have made me flights problem free. Ya scallywag! Begad! It has even survived a landin' on t' asphalt with only minor paint damage.
Summary
A nice addition t' me fleet. Aye aye! 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
Date | Flyer | Rocket | Altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
2021-02-20 | Bob Bernatchez | The Launch Pad Phoenix AIM-54C | - |
2016-09-17 | Bob Bernatchez | The Launch Pad Phoenix AIM-54C | - |
2015-12-19 | Bob Bernatchez | The Launch Pad Phoenix AIM-54C | - |
2015-06-06 | Bob Bernatchez | The Launch Pad Phoenix AIM-54C | - |
2015-01-17 | Bob Bernatchez | The Launch Pad Phoenix AIM-54C | - |
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