The Launch Pad Patriot PAC-3 Build

[NAR29996]

Herein, I am documenting the build of my TLP PAC-3.

Obligatory Parts Photo:

Photo of parts that will replace some of the stock items. I have a 24/60 case that needs a rocket. This will be the next.

Wish me luck.

 

[sodmeister]

Ahhhhhhhhh......another lovely TLP build !!

That`s one of the few I do not have in my collection ,but soon !

Build on ,I`ll enjoy this


Cheers and have fun !


Paul T

 

[NAR29996]

Paul,

I hope to do half the job you do on yours.

 

[NAR29996]

The motor mount has been built. I replaced the stock engine mount tube with a length of LOC 24mm tubing. It is also longer to fit the 24/60 RMS case, I drilled a 5/32" hole in the plywood centering ring, pressed the blind nut into it, and exopxy'd it in. Roughed up the motor mount tube with the orbital sander so it would take the epoxy better. Installed a thrust ring, the aft plywood centering ring and the forward fiber centering ring.

Here is the assembly drying:

I've also scanned in the instructions and the template so I can make repair parts if needed. I also started a .ork file.

 

[NAR29996]

Two sets of fins have been cut out, and the edges rounded. I elected to make the rear fins out of basswood and added tabs to go TTW.

 

[sodmeister]

Two sets of fins have been cut out, and the edges rounded. I elected to make the rear fins out of basswood and added tabs to go TTW.

View attachment 142523

I pretty much substitute Basswood for the balsa in all my builds ,not that the balsa in the kits is sub-par ,it is nice stock ,I just prefer Basswood.

Great idea using TTW !

Like you mentioned earlier ,i too make copies of all the templates etc. ,in case a kit gets destroyed or lost (like my poor AIM-4 Falcon ,lost to a tree ...and such a nice flier on E-15s :cry: )

I plan to scratch build another using my spare templates !

I`m enjoying your build !

Paul T

PS-have you see TLP`s new site ? Very nice.New kits comming.

 

[NAR29996]

Well, the clay ballast mass supplied had dried up, so I substituted some modeling clay. Increased the mass to 29g. I also scraped the seams on the nose cone using the new seam scraper I recently bought. Next up is making the paper shroud that goes over the nose tip, but it's too late for that tonight.

 

[sodmeister]

Well, the clay ballast mass supplied had dried up, so I substituted some modeling clay. Increased the mass to 29g. I also scraped the seams on the nose cone using the new seam scraper I recently bought. Next up is making the paper shroud that goes over the nose tip, but it's too late for that tonight.

I think every pack of clay in my kits was dried hard as a rock.I just tear the little bag open ,add some drops of water until well saturated ,place in a small Ziplock bag and leave for 24 hours......good as new !

But really ,I now add lead shot and secure with Gorilla Glue polyurethane ,just moisten the shot first as the glue needs moisture to cure.Once it foams up and cures ,that nose weight is not going anywhere.

Cheers


Paul T

 

[NAR29996]

You're up early today.

 

[NAR29996]

Got back to work this morning. I fabricated the nose cone extension and it only took two attempts this time. Attached the extension to the nose cone, and painted it with CA. Hopefully that will keep it from shrinking when I put sanding sealer on it later. I then used Squadron putty on all the seams. The result looks something like this:

 

[sodmeister]

You're up early today.

Yessir ,up at 5:30 AM (my internal clock won`t let me sleep in LOL) but that`s OK ,I love the mornings...well not so much come Mondays......WORK !

I get a lot done in the AM ,laundry ,clean around a bit ,then work on rockets.Finshed my Estes AIM-54 Phoenix clone (Excelsior decals ,a must have for smaller BT scale kits and he has a good bunch for TLP)

Almost finished my NCR Lance Delta ,just needs primer & paint and just got back from the aviation museum (they have a AIM-4 Falcon missile which I want to make full scale this winter ,took a bunch of pics for reference as well as a Genie and BlackBrant VB)

Did all that before 1:00 PM :wink:

I need to do my PML AMRAAM 4 , just going to do the graphix....Stickershock of course ,very nice and complete set !


The nosecone looks very good indeed.Even after all the "hats" I`ve made, it`s still a little tough at times.....thank goodness for extra templates !



keep it up !


Cheers

Paul T

 

[NAR29996]

I glued the 2 tubes together, using a BMS coupler I bought for this purpose. The engine mount was installed, and a coupler inserted to beef up the aft end. Lines were drawn on the rocket for the fins, tunnels, and launch lugs. Finally, I cut out the slots for the TTW fins I made.

 

[NAR29996]

Once around the body tube to cover the first seam...

 

[sodmeister]

Moving alone nicely ,and fast !

I love the PML BlackBrant(Mini BB X?) ,you did a fine job on the color scheme !

Didn`t I see a Matra Magic before ?

I also replace the coupler tubes on my builds ,I find the kit ones a little flimsy and short in length,but useable if soaked in thin CA .I suppose that`s just a nitpick on my part and not trash talk ,cause you know how i feel about TLP kits :wink:


Paul t

 

[NAR29996]

Yes, there's a Matra Magic back there, to replace the one destroyed on it's 36th (or so) flight. I worked on a project with Matra while with General Dynamics to qualify the missile to be carried on the F16. I was electrical support for the structural test lab. I hated to lose that job. Damn Bush & Cheney(sp?).

 

[sodmeister]

Yes, there's a Matra Magic back there, to replace the one destroyed on it's 36th (or so) flight. I worked on a project with Matra while with General Dynamics to qualify the missile to be carried on the F16. I was electrical support for the structural test lab. I hated to lose that job. Damn Bush & Cheney(sp?).

Ahhhh ...Dick Cheney AKA...."the great white hunter".............


............DUCK !!!!!! LOL



Paul t

 

[gdjsky01]

Super build. I love TLP. Got a pile of them in my pile include the PAC3. Somehow I wound up with two R.50's in the pile. :y:
Probably an ebay buy I could not resist. I am weak when it comes to TLP bargains!
KUTGW!!

 

[NAR29996]

A second turn around the rocket with Bondo to cover the second seam.

BTW, what grit sandpaper do you use to sand this stuff off? It's my first time using the stuff.

 

[sodmeister]

A second turn around the rocket with Bondo to cover the second seam. View attachment 142859

BTW, what grit sandpaper do you use to sand this stuff off? It's my first time using the stuff.

I use 220 ,then finish off with 320.

Bondo Spot sands very easily ,so it does not take much sanding nor does it take long.

I use Bondo Spot putty exclusively ,as well I thin it down with lacquer thinner in a bottle and brush it on to fill Balsa and basswood fins etc.


paul t

 

[gdjsky01]

What he said... :wink: 220. Sands real easy. Then 320, then 400 if I feel like it.

 

[Daddyisabar]

ARRRR. I love me TLP. Ye might want to use a wee more nose weight than supplied in de kit with all the mods. Any additional weight on the hind end needs to be compensated up top. More power to ya laddie. Rollin' too many of those witches hats may make ya a bit crazy.

 

[NAR29996]

I'm working on the OR file as I build. I'll make a final determination on the nose weight after she's finished.

 

[gdjsky01]

The PAC ought be easy to sim. Shoot me the dimensions (tube, nose, fins) and I can work up a CP. Come to think of it... lets see... yup... I have the ROCKSIM file for the Madcow PAC-3... it's 2.6 inch and 50 inches long. The TLP is 51? So unlike Daddy, I am gonna get all sciencey on you and say the CP (which if the fin sizes are the same given the scale is, so should be about the same), is at ~34 inches from the nose. Keep the CG at least 32 inches from the nose and I'd say you are golden.
Just my opinion and my advice is worth what you paid for it.


EDIT: Well shut my mouth, you are using OpenRocket. Great program. Worst ever launch interface. (JMO of course :wink

 

[NAR29996]

Moving alone nicely ,and fast !

I love the PML BlackBrant(Mini BB X?) ,you did a fine job on the color scheme !



Paul t

Thanks for the compliment. Coming from you, that means a lot.

Yes, that's A PML Mini-BBX with the CPR3K option. I effectively got this as a going away present from my last club, ROCC (Thanks, guys). It flew for the first time on the third to 1233 feet on a H180. I built it such as to preserve the option of adding the Terrier booster later.

 

[NAR29996]

I was back to work on this model tonight. I mostly sanded off all the putty I put on earlier.

I also ordered decals from Stickershock. That's enough for today.

 

[Davidtmp]

Hey Bob, post the OR file when you finish it up. I've had my eye on this kit for some time. May have to order one after I get some supplies ordered to do some repairs for other stuff.

 

[NAR29996]

I have one at home that should be pretty close. Do you want that, or do you want to wait until I'm done? Be advised that this file is "as built" and not for the stock kit.

 

[Davidtmp]

I have one at home that should be pretty close. Do you want that, or do you want to wait until I'm done? Be advised that this file is "as built" and not for the stock kit.

It doesn't matter. I can use the one you already have and make any changes. I'd probably try to beef it up too. Of course, your building skillz is way beyond mine!
It would give me a chance to test out some motors and see what I like.
Thanks Bob!

 

[NAR29996]

Here you go. I've simmed the motors I'm most likely to use. I didn't like the speed off the rod on several of the motors, so I lengthened the rod which required me to use a 1/4" rod.

View attachment TLP PAC-3.ork

 

[NAR29996]

I started the process of putting the fins on.

The first:

Second. Looks pretty straight:

All four lower fins attached, but still needing fillets:

At this point, you may be wondering how I'm going to get glue on those TTW tabs I made. I'm wondering that, too...

I'll drill a hole through the lower centering ring and pour some expanding foam in the cavity. No one will be the wiser.