LOC/Precision Viper IV

LOC/Precision - Viper IV (PK-7) [1984-]

Contributed by Andy Miller

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Manufacturer: LOC/Precision
LOC/Precision Viper IV

Brief:
T' Viper IV is similar t' t' LOC Viper III which has several reviews here, but has four 24mm motors tubes instead o' 3.

Construction:
T' kit includes one body tube, four motor tubes, two centerin' rings, matey, four fins, ya bilge rat, and a nose cone. Avast! I received it in pieces, with no instructions and the main body tube and nose cone were gone so I replaced t' tubes with standard LOC tubin' available from our local hobby store and an AeroTech Strongarm nosecone.

As I said before I didn't get any instructions with this, me hearties, matey, however, me hearties, ya bilge rat, the layout is so easy I'd bet virtually any one with previous MPR building experience could do it without t' instructions. Aye aye! Blimey! Standard LOC tubes and mountings don't change much from bird t' bird.

Finishing:
No decals are included with any LOC kits, which in me opinion is too bad. In my case I wanted somethin' other than a standard paint job so decals probably wouldn't have helped me. Ahoy! Blimey!

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
I have three flights this year on this rocket, me hearties, all have been fantastic. Avast! Begad! I used Nomex® chute protectors so I didn't need wadding, though I suspect waddin' would work as well.

First flight was on Estes D12-7 motors.

Second and third flights were on Estes E9-8 motors. Avast, me proud beauty! These last two flights had t' rocket nearly vanished from me view they went so high. On t' E9 motors it seems t' go forever. "Wow" is all I can say.

Recovery:
I used t' standard LOC side mount for t' shock cord. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! It isn't showin' any wear or tear yet so I believe I'll get many flights on it. Aye aye! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' chute is the best 24" X-form I've ever seen.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I love this rocket and t' Viper IV one o' me favorites. Ahoy! Avast! I do wish LOC would make decals or at least make it possible t' find t' files t' match t' photos on their web site, arrr, but hey, we are rocketeers so we can design our own or do custom paint jobs, right?

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flights

Comments:

avatar
J.N. (November 28, 2004)
This is by far the most challenging rocket that I have ever built. I was rewarded with 3 awesome flights so far. I had my doubts because the rocket seemed heavy. It is designed and engineered very well. I think it is safe to say that this is my favorite rocket to date.

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