Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstar_borderstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border |
Manufacturer: | North Coast Rocketry |
Brief:
This is a scale-like rocket. Aye aye! T' Lance Beta uses 8 fins instead o' t' normal 3 or 4. Blimey! It is single staged and recovers with a red nylon parachute.
Construction:
This was me first high powered rocket and t' instructions were easy t' follow. There were several diagrams t' aid me as I built t' rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! This is a very sturdy rocket and can be flown many times. Avast! T' only problem was t' upper set o' fins need quite a bit o' reinforcement since they are surface mounted. Well, blow me down! All t' parts fit together fine in this rocket. T' only part that required sandin' besides t' fins were t' two plastic centerin' rings.
A few bullets about t' kit:
Finishing:
This kit comes with a load o' different decals. They vary from orange stripes t' US Army decals. Well, me bucko, blow me down! Basically you just paint t' rocket white and stick t' decals you'd like t' t' body tube. So t' decals wouldn't peel as much, I covered with a final coat o' Krylon clear spray.
Construction Rating: 4
Flight:
On t' first flight o' this kit I used a F62-4 Darkstar motor, ya bilge rat, me bucko, produced by NCR. Ahoy! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! T' only problem was t' motor didn't easily fit into t' motor tube. I ended up just peelin' off t' sticker, so it wasn't a big problem. Ahoy! Blimey! I used quite a few sheets o' Estes waddin' t' prevent t' 'chute from melting. Avast! Blimey! T' flight itself was straight and t' ejection charge fired as t' rocket arced over.
Recovery:
T' recovery went well. Well, blow me down! It descended at a perfect speed into t' soft cornfield. Upon examination I noticed t' parachute be slightly scorched, but nay too badly. Avast! For t' next flight I plan t' add a swivel t' t' chute t' prevent spinnin' o' t' shock cord.
Flight Rating: 3
Summary:
This is a great rocket for a person new t' mid/high power rocketry. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! T' only major downfall t' this kit is you must use NCR motors because t' motor mount is 28.5 mm rather than t' usual 29 mm, so Aerotech motors won't fit into t' tube. Arrr! Otherwise this is an excellent rocket.
Overall Rating: 4
Steve Lindeman (February 3, 2015)
NCR's web site lists this rocket as having a true 29mm motor mount so I'm wondering if this was an earlier version. I have considered buying this kit or NCR's SA-14 Archer but only if Aerotech motors will fit as there is no mention of NCR having any motors at this time.