LOC/Precision - Magnum {Kit} (PK-16) [1985-]

LOC/Precision Magnum

LOC/Precision - Magnum {Kit} (PK-16) [1985-]

Contributed by Walter Kjellander

Manufacturer:

(Contributed - by Walter Kjellander - 08/10/02)

Rocket Pic Brief:
T' LOC Magnum is single-staged with a main 54mm motor mount and two 29mm outboards. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! A good rocket for level 2 certification.

Construction:
T' parts were all OK. I was surprised that t' slots for t' fin tabs had to be cut. T' other LOC kits I have done have precut slots, shiver me timbers, arrr, like t' Forte, EZI-65, matey, Expediter, arrr, me bucko, LOC IV, arrr, Graduator, shiver me timbers, and I-ROC. Avast! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' instructions for assembly were fine. I added a middle centerin' rin' above t' fin tabs t' make a fin can. I also used a 38mm main motor mount instead o' t' 54mm and 29mm outboards. I built it for t' J350 reload.

T' kit includes two cardboard (standard LOC) body tubes: booster and payload section, ya bilge rat, three 3 precut fins made o' 3/16" plywood, a hard plastic nose cone, ya bilge rat, matey, and a 1/2" diameter 6" long cardboard launch lug, me hearties, you cut into 3" pieces - I replaced this with roomier thin wall brass launch lugs (not supplied).

Finishing:
Finishin' be easy. Blimey! This is true for all LOC tubing, shiver me timbers, I think. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! There were no decals. Avast! I just painted mine pumpkin orange. Aye aye!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I used a J350 for a Level 2 flight. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! It flew fine, and t' boost looked straight. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Apparently, me bucko, me fin alignment, while nay perfect, me bucko, shiver me timbers, was good enough. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! My sandin' job on t' fins was minimal, so I think t' rocket will fly OK even if you do nay do a great job on t' fins. T' projected altitude (wRASP) was 1700', so it put on a nice show without goin' too high.

Recovery:
I did nay use t' parachute which came with t' kit. Avast! T' kit parachute probably works fine, I'm just a bit paranoid about parachutes with lots o' shroud lines.

T' body separates at t' payload section, arrr, I used motor ejection. Avast, me proud beauty! T' kit supplied a shockcord that was elastic and an eyebolt for shockcord attachment to t' front centerin' ring. Avast, me proud beauty! I used a Nomex® chute protector and shockcord sleeve (not supplied) instead o' wadding.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
T' kit has typical LOC quality. It is ideal for Level 2 certification usin' a J350. Blimey! Well, blow me down! It fit in t' back o' me car OK. Ahoy! If you are paranoid like me, me bucko, arrr, shiver me timbers, you can upgrade t' recovery system. Avast, me proud beauty! I used 1" tubular nylon for t' parachute harness.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other Reviews

LOC/Precision Magnum By Dan Patell
( Contributed - by Dan Patell - 10/20/02) Brief: A large high-powered rocket that should be considered for a Level 2 certification flight. Modifications: Several minor changes were made and are described below. Construction: The rocket comes with: A plastic Nosecone, 2 thick paper body tubes, three motor mount tubes, 2 1/4" plywood centering rings, 3 1/4" p ...

Flights

Comments:

C.E. (February 1, 2001)

I have made two contacts with the folks at LOC and received good help and quick response in both cases. I am building the Magnum kit right now and agree with your construction assessments so far. I will post a full review when the kit is completed. This is my first LOC kit and the body tubing is very nice to work with.

M.W. (February 1, 2001)

I too, have a Magnum that I built for a Level 2 cert. I have strong overbuilding tendencies so I used a Kevlar® sock (from Giant Leap) with 4oz. fiberglass over it. The fins have 2 layers of 9oz. fiberglass on them. I used a parachute and shock cord from Rocket Rage (thanks Carl!). I used a J415 for the L2 and I plan to fly it on a K55 and then a K700 in the near future. With solid construction and some strengthening, the Magnum should take any motor that will fit inside it. Look at my launch.

C.S. (March 1, 2001)

This really is a wonderful kit from LOC. This kit can easily qualify L2, and with some strengthening, take you the full range of 54 mm motors. The outboard 29's are great, especially with I200's in them. Please get some tubular nylon to use for the recovery system, it is cheap and your can hold a ton on it. I actually wrapped the inside of the tube also with fiberglass to help increase strength. A little overbuilding will go a long way. Now, just special order the centering rings with the 54mm center, 2-38's and 2-29's outboard. What crazy fun!!

S.M. (April 1, 2001)

I have flown my Magnum on K550s and K700s. Check out some details of the construction and flights at my site. I agree with overbuilding so you can fly the big stuff!

J.P. (August 1, 2001)

I think the LOC Magnum 54/29/29mm is a great kit. I have flown mine many times on motors from a 38mm J350 to a 54mm K550. It is very durable. It has crashed twice from no parachute deployment, and it was still ready to fly again. It shredded on a K1100, but after I cut off the front foot of the main body tube and replaced it, the rocket flew again with no problem. I have set mine up for two step deployment with the payload section broken down into an electronics bay and a parachute bay. This is the only way to go with flights to 5,000'. I knew I would want to do airstarts with the two 29mm outboards, so I built it with a small conduit running through the centering rings so that I could run ignition wires from the electronics bay to the rear of the rocket. My only negative comment on the rocket is that when the rocket is flown with just the central motor, the outboard 29mm motor tubes tend to deteriorate from the heat and exhaust of the main motor. If you do not plan to do clusters or airstarts, or if you want a good 54mm rocket that you will fly with just one motor most of the time, I recommend buying a single motor rocket like the LOC Syonic.

A.S. (September 24, 2005)

The LOC Magnum was my first 'huge rocket', back when they first had the foam nosecones. After the loss of that one in the Virginia woods, I purchased a second, and it is built completely stock with the exception of the electronics bay / dual deployment optional . NO added (3rd) centering ring, short outboard tubes,16" payload section has more than enough room above the electronics bay / coupler for a Rocketman R9 chute. this thing has been pounded on, as BRS and other NY club members can attest. Stock 2ring version can survive nearly ANY available 54mm motors, up to and including the K700 (not recommended for Kosdon L1850 or the new Loki L1400). Mine has flown, among others, on J800, J450 Kosdon, and including the Kosdon J1500! Surprisingly, no K motors, that's what I have the K-Load for, I guess. Favorite flights include an I357 plus 2 H238's all ground started, and DPS J700 Yellowjacket motors. In conclusion, the LOC Magnum is a workhorse, and a classic high power kit as well, deserving of a place in anyone?s fleet, and the perfect L2 rocket.

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