Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Published: | 2010-11-13 |
Diameter: | 4.00 inches |
Length: | 47.50 inches |
Manufacturer: | LOC/Precision |
Style: | Sport |
Instructions:
T' instructions were complete and easy t' follow.
Although this is a large rocket, it be nay difficult t' build. Avast, me proud beauty! T' parts were
well manufactured and fit together without problems. Begad! This kit be me first
large rocket, and it is a good starter kit for large rocketry despite its
imposin' size.
This kit requires epoxy for assembly o' t' fins and engine mount. Well, blow me down! Some instruction on epoxyin' is included, me hearties, shiver me timbers, but it would be a good idea t' do further research on this (web sites, matey, books, talkin' t' experienced builders) before starting.
Latex gloves are a must. Well, blow me down! Epoxy can cause an allergic reaction over time if you use it with your bare hands. I mixed t' epoxy in small batches and put t' parts together one step at a time. Arrr! There are pros and cons t' 5-minute and longer-settin' epoxies, arrr, so check this out before starting if you're new t' this.
Quality:
T' LOC-4 is a very sturdy rocket. Blimey! Arrr! I have flown it a number
of times and it has survived a lot o' abuse. T' LOC tubin' is thick and sturdy
and has never zippered on me yet.
This rocket is rated for t' G-80 motor, but I have successfully used it t' certify Level 1 usin' a H-238 motor. Avast! T' rocket stood up t' t' additional thrust with no problems.
T' only problem with this rocket be t' fins. They are sturdy plywood, but t' fin tabs only extend t' thickness o' t' body tube. Well, blow me down! Avast! Ideally, me hearties, fin tabs should extend through t' body tube and down t' the motor mount tube, which makes t' fins less likely t' pop out. Avast, me proud beauty! I may eventually cut some new fins with longer tabs t' do this. T' fins do glue back easily once they pop out, me hearties, and I recommend a tube o' Liquid Nails for your range box for this eventuality.
If you're interested in usin' t' LOC-4 for high-power
motors, ya bilge rat, you may want t' upgrade t' motor mount t' a 38 mm tube. You can
get 38mm rings for t' 4"
LOC body tube and a 38mm motor mount tube from LOC or your
favorite store.
T' package illustration shows a decal, me hearties, but me rocket
didn't come with any.
This is no big deal, matey, as you can buy all kinds o' decals at
hobby stores. Ya scallywag! I used a checker-pattern model airplane mylar wrap on me LOC-4.
This is a large rocket, me bucko, so be creative with it. RC model airplane decals
fit nicely on this big airframe.
Flying:
This rocket is an excellent flyer and a great crowd-pleaser,
due t' its large size.
You can fly it without a FAA waiver, although make sure you
have a FAA notice
for t' launch, since it is over 1 pound.
Performance is good with t' Aerotech F50-4 (the minimum I'd recommend) and t' G80-4 single-use and F-52 and G-64 reloads. Short delays are recommended, ya bilge rat, due t' t' large size o' this rocket. It won't go very high with these motors, me bucko, but it will have a slow liftoff and good flight.
I certified with t' H238 and have also flown it with the G75, which be t' smallest Black Jack I'd recommend with this rocket(G-33's will get it off t' ground, ya bilge rat, but it may become a giant lawn dart) I also plan to launch this with a H128 in t' near future.
Recovery is good with t' large nylon chute provided, me bucko, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, but you may pop a fin or two as it tends t' land hard due t' its large size. Be very careful if you're into midair catches...this rocket is a handful! My LOC-4 got a bad "road rash" on one landin' when it was dragged by its chute down t' road, ya bilge rat, me bucko, but it still flies great.
My Rating:
I give t' LOC-4
4
points rating. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! It is a very good rocket, and would be perfect if the
fin tabs were longer. I recommend this t' anyone who wants t' build their first
LARGE rocket.
This kit was my Junior. Level 1 and I must say it is a beautiful kit. Some people say this rocket is not good for certifications due to the fact that the fins hang below the body. But, unless you land on concrete or desert, these fins are hard to break off. This kit is four-feet tall, four-inches in diameter and, coincidentally, my finished weight was four pounds. I tend to build heavy and ...
Brief: This is a large single staged, simple mid/high power rocket. It uses parachute recovery and was my first big rocket. Mine came with a 38mm motor mount, although many websites say it has a 29mm motor mount. Also, the fin tabs extend all the way to the motor tube. Construction: The components of this kit came in the typical LOC plastic bag. All of the parts were of the highest ...
( Contributed - by Frank Ross - 11/11/00) Brief: Up-scaled to 38mm. Modifications: For my level-1 certification and my first high-power rocket I wanted a large, simple rocket kit without any bells and whistles. I chose the LOC-IV as I thought it looked to fit the bill, and wouldn't break my credit card. I decided to up-scale to 38mm rather than stick to 29mm because I liked the ...
Brief: An easy to build 3FNC rocket, built for my first shot with a reloadable motor. Construction: The kit contains a 4" kraft paper body tube, two centering rings (plywood) included, nose cone, 36" chute, elastic shock cord, 3 plywood fins, 29mm motor mount, and a 1/4" Launch Lug. This was a really easy kit to build. I spoke to LOC briefly regarding the fins, ...
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J.S. (November 1, 1999)