The Launch Pad PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capability)
The Launch Pad - PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capability)
Contributed by Bob Bernatchez
| Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
| Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
| Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
| Published: | 2015-10-31 |
| Manufacturer: | The Launch Pad  |
Brief
A nice, semi scale version o' t' third generation Patriot missile. As most TLP kits are, this is based on t' BT80 body tube.
Components
This kit comes with t' usual assortment o' parts one would expect from t' Launch Pad. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! Included were two Estes type BT80 body tubes, me hearties, a BT50 motor mount tube, me bucko, matey, matey, tube couplers for t' BT80's, me bucko, arrr, fiber centerin' rings, arrr, a plastic nose cone, matey, a parachute, nose weight,and enough balsa wood o' varyin' sizes t' keep you busy for hours. Note that t' wood parts are nay pre-cut. You have t' do that work yourself.
Construction
Many o' us TLP fans have a standard set o' upgrades that we do t' our kits, me bucko, and I am no different. Well, blow me down! I'll try t' list mine here.
First, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, matey, I substituted a longer tube coupler than what is supplied with t' kit. Ya scallywag! Arrr! T' longer coupler makes it easier t' get t' joined tubes aligned correctly. Aye aye! These kits were all come with a 24x70mm motor mount, arrr, and a kit this size really does well on t' newer, shiver me timbers, longer 24mm motors, so I upgraded t' motor mount and included a positive motor retention system. Well, blow me down! T' supplied recovery parts also need t' be upgraded t' handle usin' higher thrust motors. Avast! Aye aye! I also choose t' upgrade t' supplied 3/16" launch lug with a 1/4" one. Finally, me bucko, I replaced t' lower balsa fins with basswood, shiver me timbers, for extra strength and durability.
One o' t' most difficult parts o' buildin' a TLP kit be t' so called 'witches hat'. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! This is a paper cone that is glued t' t' top o' t' plastic nose cone t' approximate t' shape o' t' prototype's nose. Begad! Blimey! Well, arrr, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! My method is t' first make a copy o' t' template that comes with t' kit, me hearties, because t' first one I make never comes out right. Ahoy! Blimey! After I get one that I like, me hearties, I mix up a little epoxy and fill t' tip o' t' cone t' strengthen it. Avast! Blimey! I then cut off t' end o' t' plastic nose cone and attached t' paper cone. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Next, ya bilge rat, I filled t' cone with two part expandin' foam. This makes t' assembly extremely rigid. T' seams o' t' plastic nose cone, shiver me timbers, and t' seam o' t' paber cone all need t' be filled and sanded for best appearance. Avast! Blimey! I think mine came out fine.
Other than this, thar be really nothin' here that is terribly difficult. Aye aye! Take your time, and you'll produce a really nice lookin' kit.
Finishing
There was nothin' exotic required t' finish t' model. Begad! I used Bondo Spot Putty t' fill t' seams in t' body tube, me hearties, and Rustoleum spray cans for primer, white base coat, and green finish coat. I wet sanded betwixt coats as required.
TLP kit instructions are rather sparse when detailin' t' kit. However, thanks t' t' magic o' t' interwebs, me hearties, I found plenty o' photos t' help out. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! I contacted Mark at Stickershock23, and he made me a beautiful set o' vinyl decals which really makes this kit stand out.
Flight
My model came in at 14oz with all me modifications. All flights have been straight and true usin' F24, ya bilge rat, me hearties, F39, me bucko, and F35 motors. This kit is one o' me favorite flyers.
Recovery
In me opinion, t' supplied shock cord was too short, and I only trust mylar parachutes in contest models. Arrr! Avast! Both were swapped out with more appropriate materials.
Summary
This is a great kit, shiver me timbers, and a great flyer. Arrr! A lot o' work needs t' go into these kits, but t' end result is worth it. Ya scallywag! I'll probably continue t' fly this as often as I get a chance.
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