I decided to unbox my L2 rocket. Not sure how many pictures I'll be including because I know this build has been done before. As always Mike from MADCOW never lets me down. His kits are top notch and well made with quality materials. Every kit is always packed carefully and most importantly well packed. The way some of the USPS and UPS drivers delivers packages they don't seem to care much.
I put some thought into my L2. I know there are a lot of different ways to go and so many options. I'm keeping this to motor ejection and not going to build it like a tank. The kit has many options including DD and your choice between 38mm and 54mm. I chose 38mm because it would be more practical for me to fly. Going this route will allow me to fly it on 29's if I chose too and keep my wallet from getting thin. I can get my certification on a J500, which will take the rocket to around 3000' or I can go with a J825 and take it to 3400' with a deployment velocity of 1mph! On a good day without much wind. After I get my L2 I plan on using time between certification to become proficient with electronics, staging, clustering or a combination of all these. I will also be doing more scratch builds during that time. Becoming L2 opens up a lot of possibilities. I think you learn the most as a high power flyer at L2 because of it. After becoming comfortable at L2 I'll plan my L3. There's no time frame on this rocket. I was shooting for Novembers launch at ROC but might do it in December so I can buy my case and reload when WM has his BSS.
Some of the changes I plan on making to the kit is replacing the open eye bolts with close eye bolts (pictured). I also want to get a longer motor mount tube. The one that came with the is only 8" I'm looking at something around 15" to accommodate the longer case I plan on using. I had some 38mm LOC motor tube laying around, but the rings fit way too sloppy on it so using it is out of the question. This is also why I purchased an extra center ring. I think 3 rings should be plenty. Of course I went with an Aeropack retainer for positive motor retention. As far as recovery I do like the shock cord, but I have a Top Flight nylon cord with pre sewn loops at each end, but it's only 15'. I know Gary has a 25' nylon cord I think it's 9/16" so I might consider it? I have plenty of chutes, but ideally I would like to get a Fruity Chute. I haven't RS it, but I think a 30" or 36" might work nicely, but it depends where my finances are at the time. I'm also including a RS file I have of this kit.
I put some thought into my L2. I know there are a lot of different ways to go and so many options. I'm keeping this to motor ejection and not going to build it like a tank. The kit has many options including DD and your choice between 38mm and 54mm. I chose 38mm because it would be more practical for me to fly. Going this route will allow me to fly it on 29's if I chose too and keep my wallet from getting thin. I can get my certification on a J500, which will take the rocket to around 3000' or I can go with a J825 and take it to 3400' with a deployment velocity of 1mph! On a good day without much wind. After I get my L2 I plan on using time between certification to become proficient with electronics, staging, clustering or a combination of all these. I will also be doing more scratch builds during that time. Becoming L2 opens up a lot of possibilities. I think you learn the most as a high power flyer at L2 because of it. After becoming comfortable at L2 I'll plan my L3. There's no time frame on this rocket. I was shooting for Novembers launch at ROC but might do it in December so I can buy my case and reload when WM has his BSS.
Some of the changes I plan on making to the kit is replacing the open eye bolts with close eye bolts (pictured). I also want to get a longer motor mount tube. The one that came with the is only 8" I'm looking at something around 15" to accommodate the longer case I plan on using. I had some 38mm LOC motor tube laying around, but the rings fit way too sloppy on it so using it is out of the question. This is also why I purchased an extra center ring. I think 3 rings should be plenty. Of course I went with an Aeropack retainer for positive motor retention. As far as recovery I do like the shock cord, but I have a Top Flight nylon cord with pre sewn loops at each end, but it's only 15'. I know Gary has a 25' nylon cord I think it's 9/16" so I might consider it? I have plenty of chutes, but ideally I would like to get a Fruity Chute. I haven't RS it, but I think a 30" or 36" might work nicely, but it depends where my finances are at the time. I'm also including a RS file I have of this kit.
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