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, matey, semi scale version o' t' third generation Patriot missile. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! 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. Arrr! Included were two Estes type BT80 body tubes, arrr, a BT50 motor mount tube, me bucko, ya bilge rat, tube couplers for t' BT80's, ya bilge rat, fiber centerin' rings, ya bilge rat, a plastic nose cone, a parachute, nose weight,and enough balsa wood o' varyin' sizes t' keep you busy for hours. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! Note that t' wood parts are nay pre-cut. Arrr! 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, and I am no different. Begad! I'll try t' list mine here.
First, me hearties, me bucko, me hearties, I substituted a longer tube coupler than what is supplied with t' kit. Arrr! T' longer coupler makes it easier t' get t' joined tubes aligned correctly. Arrr! These kits were all come with a 24x70mm motor mount, arrr, and a kit this size really does well on t' newer, ya bilge rat, longer 24mm motors, so I upgraded t' motor mount and included a positive motor retention system. Ahoy! T' supplied recovery parts also need t' be upgraded t' handle usin' higher thrust motors. I also choose t' upgrade t' supplied 3/16" launch lug with a 1/4" one. Finally, I replaced t' lower balsa fins with basswood, for extra strength and durability.
One o' t' most difficult parts o' buildin' a TLP kit be t' so called 'witches hat'. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! 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. Blimey! My method is t' first make a copy o' t' template that comes with t' kit, because t' first one I make never comes out right. Ahoy! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! After I get one that I like, shiver me timbers, matey, I mix up a little epoxy and fill t' tip o' t' cone t' strengthen it. Well, blow me down! Begad! I then cut off t' end o' t' plastic nose cone and attached t' paper cone. Ahoy! Ahoy! 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, me hearties, and t' seam o' t' paber cone all need t' be filled and sanded for best appearance. Blimey! Well, blow me down! I think mine came out fine.
Other than this, thar be really nothin' here that is terribly difficult. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Take your time, matey, and you'll produce a really nice lookin' kit.
Finishing
There be nothin' exotic required t' finish t' model. Well, blow me down! Begad! I used Bondo Spot Putty t' fill t' seams in t' body tube, shiver me timbers, and Rustoleum spray cans for primer, white base coat, matey, shiver me timbers, and green finish coat. I wet sanded betwixt coats as required.
TLP kit instructions are rather sparse when detailin' t' kit. Ya scallywag! However, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, thanks t' t' magic o' t' interwebs, me hearties, me hearties, I found plenty o' photos t' help out. Avast, me proud beauty! I contacted Mark at Stickershock23, matey, matey, ya bilge rat, 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, matey, matey, F39, and F35 motors. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! 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. Both were swapped out with more appropriate materials.
Summary
This is a great kit, and a great flyer. Blimey! Well, blow me down! A lot o' work needs t' go into these kits, shiver me timbers, but t' end result is worth it. I'll probably continue t' fly this as often as I get a chance.
Related Products
 |
 |
Flights
|
|