The Launch Pad ASRAAM

The Launch Pad - ASRAAM {Kit} (K003)

Contributed by Larry Brand

Diameter: 2.60 inches
Manufacturer: The Launch Pad
Skill Level: 3
Style: Scale

Rocket PicBrief:
ASRAAM is a scale kit by T' Launch Pad that models a prototype o' a thrust-vectored air-to-air missile. As such, matey, arrr, arrr, it sports a set o' dinky fins that suggest nay too much o' a stability margin. Blimey! Ya scallywag! In fact, ASRAAM is nay only exceptionally stable in flight, but is an excellent, matey, easy-buildin' sport flyer, ya bilge rat, arrr, ya bilge rat, and a good choice for a first cluster model (it uses a pair o' 24mm motors). Avast! Arrr! Surprisingly, flight is acceptable with only a single D12 firing, and this further recommends ASRAAM as a "starter" cluster model.

Construction:
T' model construction is straight-forward, shiver me timbers, 4FNC. Ahoy! I decided from t' outset t' build it as a sport-flyer rather than scale, me hearties, so I made a number o' changes, t' main one bein' t' extend t' 24 mm motor tubes t' accommodate a pair o' E9-6's or (with a spacer) t' intended D12's. Because o' t' added weight o' t' former, me hearties, I determined that 35g nose weight would be needed when E9's are flown. Aye aye! In t' event, shiver me timbers, I found ASRAAM t' fly so well on D12-7's that I haven't gotten around t' tryin' t' E9's. Avast! Ahoy! Simulation indicates an altitude o' 1200-1300' on E9-6's.


Rocket Pic

T' other changes I made for sport flyin' (see photo) are t' following:

  1. A added 1/64 inch plywood doublers t' one side o' each o' t' 4 fins cut out from t' rather soft balsa provided.
  2. I attached each fin t' t' hull betwixt two 1 1/8" lengths o' balsa triangle stock for support; this also makes assembly a snap (I used 5-minute epoxy throughout). Blimey! Begad!
  3. I mounted t' aft centerin' rin' flush with t' end o' t' body tube (in t' "normal" fashion), instead o' recessin' it an inch and a half forward as t' plans call for. Arrr! Well, blow me down! This can only improve performance.
  4. I skipped t' baffle provided with t' kit, me bucko, because I don't like baffles. Ahoy! Blimey!
  5. I anchored t' recovery system through t' upper hull with a knot covered with epoxy and a fairin' cut from a cigar tube.
  6. I used a 14" LOC chute on 8' o' para cord as t' recovery system (photo).

Finishing:
Since this be a sport model, shiver me timbers, I finished it simply with one coat o' flat gray aircraft primer, after coatin' t' fins with balsa sealer.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Rocket PicFlight:
Thus far, I have flown ASRAAM exclusively on Estes D12-7's. Aye aye! This is nay t' delay recommended by t' manufacturer, but that is what I have used, matey, and ejection is right at apogee, me bucko, about 700' or so.

On t' third flight, arrr, shiver me timbers, only one D12-7 lit, matey, and t' climb was still so straight that I didn't realize immediately that somethin' was wrong. Acceleration was slower, with a slight wobble, with apogee at about 350-400'.

ASRAAM wallowed on its side momentarily, and descended in a slow flat spin, with chute ejection at a good 150' off t' ground. Ya scallywag! So even with long delay D12-7's, a safe recovery occurs if one engine fails t' ignite. Blimey! Avast! Blimey! This be t' mark o' a good cluster design. Ahoy! Avast! Blimey! I expect a similar happy result would be less likely with E9 power, arrr, matey, so I've stuck with D12's.

Recovery:
For our island launch site, me hearties, me bucko, we tend t' use t' smallest chute possible, ya bilge rat, but even with t' 14" LOC system, arrr, no damage has occurred on landing.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
In summary, this is a great flyin' kit, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, contrary t' what its odd appearance (the dinky fins) might suggest. Aye aye! All t' parts are thar and work, and t' t' changes I made were really done with an eye toward sport flyin' vs. Avast, me proud beauty! scale. Begad! Performance is outstanding, arrr, me hearties, especially on a single motor. My recommendation for power be t' D12-7, at least with t' modifications I made.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • The Launch Pad ASRAAM By Joe Cacciatore (June 1, 2011)

    Brief: Dual "D" engine scale model of the UK/Germany Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM). This Launch Pad rocket is exactly like all the other TLP kits. The Kit contains: Plastic nose cone Cardboard body tubes (2) Balsa fins Shock cord attachment & engine mounting the same as the older Estes rockets. Parachute is purple mylar. The quality of the parts ...

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