Construction

Many o' us TLP fans have a standard set o' upgrades that we do t' our kits, me bucko, and I am no different. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey!  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, and a kit this size really does well on t' newer, me hearties, arrr, longer 24mm motors, shiver me timbers, so I upgraded t' motor mount and included a positive motor retention system. Well, blow me down! Begad!  T' supplied recovery parts also need t' be upgraded t' handle usin' higher thrust motors. Begad!  I also choose t' upgrade t' supplied 3/16" launch lug with a 1/4" one.  Finally, I replaced t' lower balsa fins with basswood, shiver me timbers, me bucko, 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. Blimey! Blimey!  My method is t' first make a copy o' t' template that comes with t' kit, arrr, because t' first one I make never comes out right. Well, blow me down! Aye aye!  After I get one that I like, shiver me timbers, I mix up a little epoxy and fill t' tip o' t' cone t' strengthen it.  I then cut off t' end o' t' plastic nose cone and attached t' paper cone.  Next, I filled t' cone with two part expandin' foam. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty!  This makes t' assembly extremely rigid. Avast, me proud beauty!  T' seams o' t' plastic nose cone, matey, 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, arrr, thar be really nothin' here that is terribly difficult. Ahoy! Ya scallywag!  Take your time, and you'll produce a really nice lookin' kit.