North Coast Rocketry Lance Beta

North Coast Rocketry - Lance Beta {Kit} (K-47) [1987-?]

Contributed by Todd Harrison

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border
Manufacturer: North Coast Rocketry


Rocket PicBrief:
This is a scale-like rocket. T' Lance Beta uses 8 fins instead o' t' normal 3 or 4. Well, blow me down! 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. Ahoy! Blimey! This is a very sturdy rocket and can be flown many times. Aye aye! T' only problem was t' upper set o' fins need quite a bit o' reinforcement since they are surface mounted. 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:

  • One body tube
  • A plastic nose cone, arrr, me bucko, arrr, seems t' dent easily
  • A Gorilla Shock Cord recovery system attached through t' upper centerin' ring
  • Gorilla-Lok Motor retention - locked by a plastic screw on cap. Avast, me proud beauty! It screwed into bottom centerin' ring.
  • Bottom fins are through-the-wall but t' upper weren't
  • Two launch lugs were made o' cardboard and attached t' t' sides o' t' fins
  • Two plastic centerin' rings
  • 7 foot (approx) strap nylon shock cord
  • Multiple page instructions - clear with several illustrations

Finishing:
This kit comes with a load o' different decals. Ahoy! They vary from orange stripes t' US Army decals. Ahoy! Basically you just paint t' rocket white and stick t' decals you'd like t' t' body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! So t' decals wouldn't peel as much, shiver me timbers, me bucko, 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, me bucko, me hearties, produced by NCR. T' only problem was t' motor didn't easily fit into t' motor tube. Begad! I ended up just peelin' off t' sticker, shiver me timbers, so it wasn't a big problem. I used quite a few sheets o' Estes waddin' t' prevent t' 'chute from melting. Avast! T' flight itself be straight and t' ejection charge fired as t' rocket arced over.

Recovery:
T' recovery went well. Avast! It descended at a perfect speed into t' soft cornfield. Avast! Upon examination I noticed t' parachute be slightly scorched, but nay too badly. Avast, me proud beauty! 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. 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, arrr, so Aerotech motors won't fit into t' tube. Begad! Otherwise this is an excellent rocket.

Overall Rating: 4

 

Flights

Comments:

avatar
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.

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