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. Well, blow me down! Arrr! T' Lance Beta uses 8 fins instead o' t' normal 3 or 4. Ya scallywag! It is single staged and recovers with a red nylon parachute.
Construction:
This be me first high powered rocket and t' instructions were easy t' follow. Begad! There were several diagrams t' aid me as I built t' rocket. Ya scallywag! Begad! This is a very sturdy rocket and can be flown many times. Arrr! Begad! T' only problem be t' upper set o' fins need quite a bit o' reinforcement since they are surface mounted. Aye aye! 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. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! They vary from orange stripes t' US Army decals. Basically you just paint t' rocket white and stick t' decals you'd like t' t' body tube. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! So t' decals wouldn't peel as much, ya bilge rat, 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, produced by NCR. Ahoy! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! T' only problem was t' motor didn't easily fit into t' motor tube. Arrr! I ended up just peelin' off t' sticker, so it wasn't a big problem. I used quite a few sheets o' Estes waddin' t' prevent t' 'chute from melting. T' flight itself be straight and t' ejection charge fired as t' rocket arced over.
Recovery:
T' recovery went well. It descended at a perfect speed into t' soft cornfield. Avast, me proud beauty! Upon examination I noticed t' parachute was slightly scorched, but nay too badly. Blimey! 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. Ya scallywag! Arrr! 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. 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.