The Launch Pad Hellfire AGM-114A

The Launch Pad - Hellfire AGM-114A {Kit} (K054)

Contributed by Orion Samoiloff

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Diameter: 2.60 inches
Manufacturer: The Launch Pad
Skill Level: 3
Style: Scale


Brief: Scale model o' t' Hellfire AGM. Ya scallywag! Flies on D-F engines. Aye aye! Recovery by a mylar parachute. Begad! Arrr! Blimey! Very sturdy model.

Construction: T' kit arrived intact, and all parts were present, and in great condition. Ya scallywag! T' parts consisted o' a main paper body tube, plastic nose cone, me bucko, plenty o' 3/32" balsa, pre-cut centerin' rings, launch lug, me bucko, templates for t' fins, arrr, and supplies for t' mylar parachute, and shock cord.

T' instructions were very easy t' follow, with good illustrations. Avast! Blimey! T' assembly order was very logical. Templates were provided for t' fins and tail cone. Blimey! No decals are provided for this kit.

T' assembly was very straight forward, matey, ya bilge rat, matey, with no surprises. Begad! Begad! Fins have t' be cut out usin' t' templates. Blimey! Begad! T' only concern was thar be no mention o' where t' place t' launch lug. Ahoy! After contactin' T' Launch Pad, they explained it was left t' t' modelers discretion where t' place t' launch lug. Aye aye! Avast! (see Special Note below) All t' parts fit together very well, me bucko, ya bilge rat, t' provide a very sturdy and attractive kit.

Makin' paper tail cone be nay as hard as I thought it would be. Arrr! Begad! Blimey! Instructions mention great advise on makin' paper stronger.

T' Mylar parachute be pre-cut, and assembly was easy. Avast! Shock cord is standard, me bucko, mounted inside t' body tube.

Pros: Easy and fun t' build, no special tools needed.

Cons: None!

Finishing: T' fins are long and narrow, arrr, and are easy t' seal No problems with primin' and painting.

Although thar are no decals, me hearties, me hearties, t' instructions explain t' markings, makin' it easy t' make your own. Avast! Blimey! T' basic color o' t' rocket is olive drab, arrr, with either a black or white nose tip. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Paintin' t' tip may be tricky, ya bilge rat, arrr, shiver me timbers, but it doesn't reflect on t' kit.

Pros: Easy rocket t' finish and paint.

Cons: No decals.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight: I finally got out t' launch me Hellfire AGM. Begad! Here are t' results:

On t' first flight (D12-5) t' rocket lifted off slowly, me hearties, and then t' tail began t' wobble. Eventually, me hearties, t' rocket appeared lean over and fly on its side. Aye aye! It gave t' impression that t' nose was much too heavy.

On t' second flight (E15-7), t' rocket took off, arced over and crashed at full thrust. Ya scallywag! Left a big crater too! Destroyed t' rocket.

There are 3 problems I found, arrr, all o' which are me fault:

Too much nose weight. Accordin' t' Chuck at TLP, t' nose weight should be 32 grams. T' clay that was supplied with t' kit was dry, me hearties, me bucko, so I substituted it with me own. Begad! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! T' nose weight is mentioned in t' instructions, me hearties, and it is needed t' have stable flights. I didn't weigh t' supplied nose weight, arrr, and t' actual amount o' weight I put in t' nose

Mis-aligned guidance fins. I attached t' guidance fins accordin' t' t' instructions. Avast! I checked t' alignment with t' aft fins and I used a common fin markin' guide. I marked lines t' full length o' t' body where t' forward and aft fins are t' be attached. Begad! After inquirin' t' Chuck, ya bilge rat, me hearties, he said t' this was t' most unlikely cause o' t' rocket accident. T' fins were nay noticeably mis-aligned, ya bilge rat, but I thought o' every possibility.

Too much wind t' launch. T' wind conditions on t' launch day be betwixt 15 and 20+ MPH. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Other rockets flown that day were slightly affected by t' weather. Aye aye! Larger rockets (Initiator, Mirage) displayed more effects due t' t' wind than t' smaller ones (Big Dawg, arrr, arrr, Yellow Jacket). Arrr! T' launch rod was angled betwixt 15 and 20 degrees from vertical.

I would conclude that t' rockets demise be due t' me impatience in construction (nose weight), and launchin' when t' wind conditions were too strong for this specific rocket. Ahoy! I will take me time with me next Hellfire.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary: This rocket is extremely fun and easy t' build. Avast, me proud beauty! It is one o' t' most attractive in me fleet. Aye aye! This rocket is great addition t' any fleet.

Overall Rating: 3 ½ out o' 5

Flights

ID
Date
Flyer
Rocket
Kit
Motors
Altitude
Action
61703
2012-01-28
Bob Bernatchez
The Launch Pad Hellfire AGM-114A
The Launch Pad - Hellfire AGM-114A {Kit} (K054)
F39-3
-
list
61418
2011-12-18
Bob Bernatchez
The Launch Pad Hellfire AGM-114A
The Launch Pad - Hellfire AGM-114A {Kit} (K054)
F39-5
-
list
58660
2011-02-20
Bob Bernatchez
The Launch Pad Hellfire AGM-114A
The Launch Pad - Hellfire AGM-114A {Kit} (K054)
F39-6
-
list
58501
2011-01-23
Bob Bernatchez
The Launch Pad Hellfire AGM-114A
The Launch Pad - Hellfire AGM-114A {Kit} (K054)
F39-6
-
list
42283
2010-09-18
Bob Bernatchez
The Launch Pad Hellfire AGM-114A
The Launch Pad - Hellfire AGM-114A {Kit} (K054)
E28-5
-
list
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Comments:

avatar
M.A.V. (August 26, 2002)
I just completed the Hellfire and made two launches. The clay in my kit was extremely dry, and even after following the manufacturer's directions to reconstitute the clay, I tried something else. Thanks to the previous post, I knew what the nose weight should be. I weighed the correct amount of #7 1/2 lead shot and secured it in the nose cone with Elmer's carpenter's wood glue. The first attempt was with epoxy, which failed. I recommend letting the wood glue dry for at least a week. Although skeptical, I used the CA glue "painting" technique. I fine sanded between about three coats. The results were excellent, giving a fine finish and very high strength. I detailed my rocket with Lockheed's prototype OD green paint job, using my own computer-printed decals. I finished with about four matte clear coats. The first flight was with an Estes D12-3 with an excellent recovery. The second flight was an Aerotech D15-4 RMS. This was my first composite launch. I was amazed at the sight and sounds of the meatier motor. On the RMS flight, the nose cone separated from the swivel. I found it with my lead shot weight still intact. I plan to beef up the recovery with a longer shock cord, motor-mount attachment, Kevlar® cord and maybe a nylon parachute. I live in west Texas, where the winds are almost always at least 10 miles per hour. I had never launched a rocket with a forward fin design, and was surprised when it tracked downwind during the burn, rather than weathercocking into the wind like conventional designs. This is an awesome kit. It delivered everything the manufacturer said that it would!

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