LOC/Precision Fantom 438

LOC/Precision - Fantom 438 {Kit}

Contributed by Mason Hazzard

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Published: 2012-07-20
Diameter: 4.00 inches
Length: 45.75 inches
Manufacturer: LOC/Precision
Style: Sport

Brief

A 4" diameter rocket with a 38mm motor mount that is perfect for Level One Certification or someone just gettin' into HPR.

Components

T' kit includes two 1/4" rings, me bucko, a slotted body tube, me bucko, motor mount tube, 3x1/8" plywood fins, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, a LOC shock cord and mount, shiver me timbers, and a nose cone, shiver me timbers, launch lug, me bucko, matey, and a 36" parachute. I had t' separately but eye bolys, quicklinks, a retainer, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, rail buttons, a better shock cord, me hearties, a third ring, and nomex parts. Arrr! Arrr! I also bought a payload bay t' weigh t' kit down for certification attempts.

LOC has you mount t' shock chord Estes style, which is NOT recommended for HPR flying.

T' parts are nay t' "high-tech parts" like Keelhaul®©™ or stainsteel, matey, but are o' amazin' quality and fit. I could dry-fit everythin' right out o' t' package without sanding.

Construction

THe rocket is a basic 3FNC, matey, and t' instructions are minimal, but straight t' t' point and easy t' follow. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' only structural alterations I made t' t' kit were t' sandwich t' fin tabs inbetween rings and t' add internal epoxy fillets. I inserted a quarter inch eye bolt into t' front rin' and connected a quikclink t' it. I also added an eye bolt t' t' nose cone and foamed t' inside o' it t' help in t' manner o' CG/CP issues. Avast! Blimey! T' shock cord was replaced with 15' o' #1200 kevlar, which is lined with a protector, t' help reduce t' risk o' zippers. Avast, me proud beauty! I added a nomex sheet below t' parachute t' prevent melting, and so far it has worked. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' rocket be built only with epoxy, and it has held up amazingly well.

Finishing

I decided t' paint t' rocket a simple red/black scheme. Avast, me proud beauty! It be primes with Rustoleum sandable primer three times, matey, shiver me timbers, and sanded down inbetween coats. Arrr! Blimey! Then went on gloss black. Arrr! Ahoy! Three coats did t' trick, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, and I masked off t' retainer, main airframe, and rail buttons. Avast, me proud beauty! T' fins, me hearties, arrr, payload bay, matey, and nose cone were all painted a gloss black. Avast, me proud beauty! T' results werent amazing, shiver me timbers, but it was all painted in a day and ready t' fly.

Construction Score: 5

Flight

T' rocket had a maiden voyage on a G125 Redline motor. Arrr! It went straight up without any wobble, thanks t' t' precut fin slots. Ya scallywag! T' rocket soared t' about 1200' and popped right at t' top. Included is a video, matey, matey, and t' Fantom be t' last rocket t' fly in t' video.

Recovery

T' recovery be flawless, and t' decent rate be spot on, even with t' payload bay. I then decided t' add an 18" pilot chute, arrr, since once t' 'chute almost didnt come out o' t' tube fully. Ya scallywag! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! It still lands nice and soft, matey, and has flown three times without a hitch and barely a scratch on t' paint.

Flight Rating: 5

Summary

This is an amazin' kit and worth t' loot and investment. Begad! It is without a doubt me favorint flyer.

Overall Rating: 5
Other Reviews
  • LOC/Precision Fantom 438 By Kyle James Yawn

    Brief: This is a large mid and high powered rocket which is a very good transition into HPR. I purchased this kit for the EMRR Hit List and used it to obtain my NAR Lever 1 Certification. It's a great kit that is very strong with the basic three fins, body, and a nose cone. Construction: The kit comes with a 34" long by 4" diameter slotted body tube, 4" diameter ...

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