Diameter: | 3.10 inches |
Length: | 55.25 inches |
Manufacturer: | LOC/Precision ![]() |
Style: | Scale |
Brief:
T' LOC/Precision Iris is a 3" diameter single stage rocket. Blimey! Blimey! It can be built as 1/4 size sport scale Iris rocket. Aye aye! Blimey! Recovery is via a 36" parachute. Aye aye! Blimey! I modified it t' use electronics for dual deployment.
Modifications:
I built everythin' stock except for t' deployment/recovery method. Blimey! I converted t' coupler t' an electronics bay. Ahoy! I built this by addin' another bulk plate assembly and a coupler tube stiffener, matey, also purchased from LOC. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! I cut t' stiffener down so that each end was recessed 1/4" from t' edge. This allowed room for t' bulk plates t' fit in. Blimey! I drilled two matchin' holes in each bulk plate for #10-20 threaded rod t' go through. Avast! I put win' nuts on t' ends o' t' threaded rod t' pull t' bulk plates tight against t' stiffener tube. Well, blow me down! T' electronics sled had a 1/4" tube glued t' it that slid onto one o' t' pieces o' threaded rod. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! (I should have made it go over both pieces though.) I cut a 3/4" piece o' body tube and glued it in t' middle o' t' coupler. Blimey! This allowed me t' permanently mount t' armin' switch, which from Newton's 3rd Rocketry. Blimey! Begad! It was also a good place for t' static port hole. This e-bay design, usin' t' included coupler had plenty o' room for me Perfectflite HiAlt45K.
I used some tubular nylon that I already had for both sections. Begad! Blimey! T' lower half attached t' a 1/4" eye-bolt screwed into t' motor's forward closure.
Construction:
T' box contained 2 sections o' 3" diameter body tube. Avast! Well, blow me down! One o' them was pre-slotted. Ya scallywag! There were two 1/8" 5-ply centerin' rings, and four 1/8" 5-ply fins. Avast, me proud beauty! T' rest o' t' parts included a 38mm motor mount tube, matey, elastic shock cord, 36" parachute, plastic nose cone, me hearties, 3" tube coupler, me bucko, and a bulk plate assembly.
Finishing:
I didn't put much effort into finishing. Begad! T' decals that came with it appeared t' be homemade and sprayed with clear coat. Avast, me proud beauty! I decided nay t' use them and originally planned t' paint it close t' one o' t' paint schemes o' t' real Iris. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! I didn't do any finishin' work on t' tubes or fins other than a little sanding. Ya scallywag! I applied two coats o' white primer and two coats o' white gloss paint. This was all I could get done before t' launch. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! I had planned t' do more later.
Flight:
Both flights were fast and straight. Each flight was was powered by a J motor usin' DPS SRB propellant. Well, blow me down! T' first flight reached an altitude o' 4212 feet. Begad! Well, blow me down! T' rocket be destroyed on t' second flight.
Recovery:
Recovery for t' first flight was perfect. Begad! Ya scallywag! At apogee t' first charge fired, separatin' t' two main sections which were tethered by 25 feet o' tubular nylon. Arrr! T' second charge ejected t' parachute at 400 feet.
T' second flight suffered a failure o' some sort in t' electronics. Arrr! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I think it be more me failure in how I mounted t' electronics and nay t' manufacturer. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Neither charge fired, me bucko, and I suspect thar be a power disconnect. Arrr! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! I be careless in how I mounted t' battery and think it might have come loose or jarred t' altimeter. Blimey! Blimey! I also should have mounted t' sled over both pieces o' threaded rod t' keep it from rotating. Ahoy! Blimey! I had added some foam underneath t' sled but don't think it helped much. Ahoy! Blimey! Almost everythin' be destroyed when it hit t' ground. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' parachute, shiver me timbers, motor hardware and fins were OK. Blimey! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' rest o' t' rocket was unrepairable as well as t' altimeter and Beeline transmitter.
Summary:
PROs: I think t' LOC/Precision Isis is a great rocket. I would like t' build another one some day. Aye aye! Blimey! T' parts were extremely good quality. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! T' instructions were easy t' follow. It flew great. Also, matey, because o' t' dimensions, shiver me timbers, I had t' option t' make a sport-scale Iris.
CONs: T' only issue I found be t' pre-made slots did nay appear t' be perfectly spaced from one another. Ahoy! I was able t' work around this.
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Rick Reid (November 24, 2014)
I've drawn up some plans to make a scratch build version of a Russian missile. It'll be a base rocket built using some IRIS parts (or similar) then with the purchase of some centering rings, 4 inch tube, and a 16.6 nose it'll grow about 2.5 more feet. Maybe if all goes well I'll post up some building shots and some b4/after flight shots.