TLP Exocet MM40 - A Plan Pack Build

[kuririn]

I believe this plan pack was purchased from Uncle Mike's Rocket Shack. The paper is crinkled but the templates and instructions are still usable. I remember Michael Scopone posting once that the area where he stored the plan packs got flooded and he would only sell the salvageable ones. There is a vendor on EBay who also sometimes sells a few of these.
Anyhoo, I believe that The Launch Pad (TLP) came out with these before their actual kits started being produced. Unfortunately I did not pick up this kit before TLP folded. Here is what the kit face card looked like:


To me, building from a plan pack is no different from building a clone from online plans or building from a kit. Only thing is shagging down all the parts. If the parts are standard off the shelf then no problem. My go to vendor for parts is erockets cuz they usually have everything I need for a build.

PARTS:


1. The Plan Pack with instructions and fin templates and patterns.
2. Big Bertha style nose cone (PNC-80B)
3. 3 BT-80 tubes cut to length
4. 2 BT-80 couplers.
5. Dual cluster 24mm motor mount: "E" motor tubes, thrust rings, engine hooks, centering rings.
Two centering rings will be used for the motor mount, the other will be used as a parachute ledge.
6. 3/32" balsa sheet stock.
7. Other parts from my parts stash (24" plastic chute, kevlar, elastic, launch lugs, etc.).

TBC

 

[neil_w]

Cool, I love that rocket.

Just one quickie thought: you might want to see if @cwbullet will print you a more accurate nose cone. He printed one for me for an upcoming build, very good quality. Since you don't need to commit to the nose cone yet, something to consider.

 

[kuririn]

Thanks Neil. I was going to use the nose cone extension pattern in the plans.
It's a cardstock tip that is glued on. I've used that on other TLP builds.
Paint it with some thin CA, fill the overlap with some putty or CWF, and you have a good facsimile.

 

[neil_w]

Thanks Neil. I was going to use the nose cone extension pattern in the plans.
It's a cardstock tip that is glued on. I've used that on other TLP builds.
Paint it with some thin CA, fill the overlap with some putty or CWF, and you have a good facsimile.

Oh, didn't know about that technique. Should work fine. Carry on.

 

[Daddyisabar]

A witches hat bathed in CA...I'm melting, melting, oh what a cruel world!

 

[kuririn]

Glad you said witches hat and not dunce cap.

 

[Daddyisabar]

TLP haters will get out the dunce cap for anyone using the potter's clay nose weight!

 

[kuririn]

Potter's clay?
Horrors.
Plasticine all the way.
I'm with you Daddy.

 

[Daddyisabar]

Yep, pot clay that dries out and hardens in the plastic bag. Just reconstitute and white glue to plastic nose cone per instructions. Swamp Mud! TLP kit lovers live on the edge!

 

[kuririn]

Assembled the motor mount.
The centering rings I'm using can be used to center 2 24mm tubes in either a BT-80 or BT-70 tube.
Just cut three narrow sections and you have a BT-70 centering ring instead of BT-80.

Great if you want versatility and convenience.
Not so great if you want strength.
So I covered the seam with wood glue.


The fin templates in the plans are not full size, but the dimensions are given for each chord.
So the full sized templates were drawn up and cut out on cardstock, and traced on the balsa stock. The fins were cut out. Then they were gang sanded to a uniform size and the leading edges were rounded.
Decided to round instead of taper cuz the fin stock is narrow.


Need to let the motor mount dry.
TBC

 

[Daddyisabar]

Remembering the black fingers from the centering rings and the squishy TLP balsa. Good ole TLP building days. Recess that motor mount for sport scale stability!

 

[Daedalus]

For the nosecone extension on TLP models I have used printer paper rather than card. It's easier to form into the cone. To attach it I fill it with epoxy which gives a solid tip, no crumpling and replaces some of the added nose weight too.

 

[jrap330]

Oh, didn't know about that technique. Should work fine. Carry on.

that was standard for all TLP kits, I guess they save $$ that way. Which is why I was hesitant to buy their kits, now I wish they were still around. Early 2000's they became a major Model Rocket company.

 

[Joshua Smith]

The Launch Pad is still around, the Exocet is at https://www.the-launch-pad.com/blank-cwcj I have the Scimitar which is pretty similar to the Excocet, and I recognized the font on the OP's original image. Looks like they changed the paint color scheme in the current photo, but otherwise looks the same

 

[kuririn]

For the nosecone extension on TLP models I have used printer paper rather than card. It's easier to form into the cone. To attach it I fill it with epoxy which gives a solid tip, no crumpling and replaces some of the added nose weight too.

Thanks for the tip, but I already formed and glued the tip from cardstock before I read your post.
Will keep that in mind for the next time.



After painting with CA, filling, and sanding this should look like the real thing.
Ran out of Squadron putty but I think thick CWF should work fine.

Glued the motor mount into the airframe, aft ring recessed 1 3/4".
Also coated inside of the rear airframe with glue to prevent scorching.


Also glued all the couplers and tubes together.
Glued the third centering ring to the aft end of the top coupler, this will be the parachute ledge that will keep the laundry from sliding all the way towards the aft end.


Cannot start attaching the fins until I finish these fiddly bits: steering control pivot rod thingys.



TBC

 

[Joshua Smith]

on the Scimitar (https://www.the-launch-pad.com/blank-chkz) the middle set of fins are made by sandwiching 1/8" balsa, and the main part of the fin is a single "slice" of 1/8" balsa. 1/8" is so flimsy it naturally starts to curl, and I figured there's no way they would survive a single *soft* landing unless the rocket landed on its tail perfectly. I have yet to fly it I should add. So I got some 1/8" bass wood and sandwiched the main fins (above the strake-like bottom section) with the bass wood, cut to the same shape obviously. It was pretty painful honestly, but the fins are far sturdier now. I haven't compared the new CG to the CP yet, but I'm hoping the CG hasn't moved aft too much, esp since it's a "dually" cluster. Need to check what's likely to happen if only one motor lights.

 

[kuririn]

The Launch Pad is still around, the Exocet is at https://www.the-launch-pad.com/blank-cwcj I have the Scimitar which is pretty similar to the Excocet, and I recognized the font on the OP's original image. Looks like they changed the paint color scheme in the current photo, but otherwise looks the same

Joshua, the website is still up but the company hasn't been doing business for several years. My understanding is that the owner has been trying to sell the company, but so far no takers. Kits haven't been produced and retailers haven't been restocked for years now. Interested?

 

[Joshua Smith]

Ah, I didn't realize. I think I actually got my Scimitar from https://store.heavenlyhobbies.com/06-024-0027.html but it was probably 3 years ago. I'm definitely not a taker, I have a hard enough time keeping up w/my full time job, my not-even teenage kids, and a body that started falling apart when I was 18

 

[kuririn]

PS Also there are two Exocet models, the AM39 and the MM40. Both kits were available. I believe the AM39 was air launched and the MM40 was surface (ship or ground) launched.

 

[Daddyisabar]

TLP clusters, the smell of burnt BP motors and scorched glue. After many flights just recoat with more Glue! Are you using the funky TLP recovery set up?

 

[Daddyisabar]

For the witches hat I used a mouse pad and roller dowel. Made the paper moist. Point so sharp it could easily poke your eye out. Thin CA bath and green squadron putty rule!

 

[Mugs914]

I was surprised to see the witches hat technique when I built my first TLP kit (The weird looking Bullpup), but I have to say it works great! I've added it to my bag of build tricks and will use it on other projects. Like you said daddy, it'll make a nose tip sharp (and strong) enough to hurt someone!

By the way, if you guys run out of Squadron putty, you might want to tr Tamiya's putty. They have it at my Hobby Lobby, but I'm sure most "real" model shops should have it. It seems to be a bit "creamier" that Squadron and also seems to sand a little bit easier. I still keep both on hand, but I find I've been favoring the Tamiya lately.

If you decide to try some I would be interested to know what you think of it.

 

[ZEDL1]

I like this rocket.
I bought an early kit from The Launch Pad back in the 80s. I have it new in the box, unbuilt and unmolested, as we car people say
, if anyone might like to have it.

 

[kuririn]

I've read where some builders, like hcmbanjo, use thick CA to fill the low spots in plastic nose cone seams. So I applied some thick CA to the nose cone extension seams last night. Although thick, it's still runnier than putty so you need to take care that it doesn't run or sag until the CA sets up.

After soaking the cap with thin CA, applying thick CA to the seams, and sanding down:


Then filler/primer was shot.

Will sand this when dry and see if it needs more coats.
TBC

 

[Daddyisabar]

After many fights on the Rapier the nose cone came back and skewered one of the label papered fins. No damage to the witches hat but a nice round hole in the fin. The TLP hater at the club was mildly amused and maybe even a bit impressed.

 

[Daddyisabar]

Now that they are OOP I miss the almost yearly threads with someone ragging on TLP quality or trying to modify/bullet proof them with no idea of what they were doing.

 

[kuririn]

The biggest knocks I've heard are no decals and spongy balsa.
I think the philosophy of TLP was to produce good sized lightweight mid power kits that could fly well on cheaper 24mm motors.
Kinda like Dynastar. Thin wall tubes, balsa fins, fiber centering rings, mylar chutes.
In most TLP kit instructions they do mention hardening and sealing the fins with thin CA.
Haven't decided if I'm going to do that.
Anyhoo, here's the nose cone after sanding the primer.
(Please excuse the out of step assembly sequence. I was curious to see if thick CA would work as a filler.)


And shot with red paint.



Don't you love the 10% of the time when everything comes together?
TBC

 

[Glasspack]

I still have alot of the Original Kits from TLP. I haven't built one yet, but have always loved the missiles they chose to model
and the close scale looks and features !!

 

[Mugs914]

Man, that nose came out GREAT! Nice job!

 

[kuririn]

Thanks, Mike.
And now back to our regularly scheduled build thread.
More fiddly bits were cut and shaped.
Fin gussets and steering pivots.


And the aft fins were tacked on.


TBC