4" LOC Phoenix build

[bobbyg23]

I was given a LOC Phoenix recently and thought I would do a build thread on it. It comes with the RNWS for nose weight. I determined I would need 13oz to balance nicely. I built the fin can outside of the airframe and slid it in when complete. This makes for a very strong rocket. I ended up using a large bolt for the weight in the nose.

 

[bobbyg23]

All built and ready for paint.

 

[bobbyg23]

The removeable nose weight system is pretty neat.

 

[bobbyg23]

I went with a little darker grey for paint.

 

[bobbyg23]

Stickers from @stickershock23 !! Amazing stickers.

 

[David Schwantz]

Looks really, really good. I also have this kit. Just by chance it was the first one released.
If you don't mind my saying, the laser cutting on kits, of all brands , is great. But you will get a much better bond if you sand the charring off before gluing. I fly mine on a AT J250W. What are going to use? Good luck. Again looks great.

 

[bobbyg23]

All finished.

 

[bobbyg23]

Looks really, really good. I also have this kit. Just by chance it was the first one released.
If you don't mind my saying, the laser cutting on kits, of all brands , is great. But you will get a much better bond if you sand the charring off before gluing. I fly mine on a AT J250W. What are going to use? Good luck. Again looks great.

Thanks. I am not sure what I will launch it on first. Probably an H for a shakedown flight.

 

[David Schwantz]

I flew her with a H283ST for my L1 cert.

 

[SkyFire]

Great looking rocket!
Nice work!

 

[bobbyg23]

Great looking rocket!
Nice work!

Thanks

 

[user 30299]

Thanks. I am not sure what I will launch it on first. Probably an H for a shakedown flight.

Nice build on the Phoenix.

On mine, after the first two launches & landings, I switched to a 50" chute to lessen the impact on the bottom fins.

 

[mo2872]

Very nice! Did my L1 with this kit last summer on a H242T. Has also flown on an I285R.

 

[user 30299]

Very nice! Did my L1 with this kit last summer on a H242T. Has also flown on an I285R.

The I300 is one of my favorites for the Phoenix. But the one everyone likes at a launch is the H550. The rocket doesn't go high, but it goes super fast and it has that shrill whistle the whole way up.

 

[bobbyg23]

The I300 is one of my favorites for the Phoenix. But the one everyone likes at a launch is the H550. The rocket doesn't go high, but it goes super fast and it has that shrill whistle the whole way up.

I have an h550. Might have to use it in this rocket.

 

[mo2872]

Oh, +1 for upsizing the chute from the supplied one. Comes in a bit brisk. I ended up making a 55” 50% hemisphere chute that brings it down nicely.

 

[user 30299]

I have an h550. Might have to use it in this rocket.

My Phoenix weighs in at about 5.4 lbs - no motor. I keep track of the basic launch info on my rockets. The last flight on the H550 shows my delay time as 8 seconds. But I made a note that I should go 9 seconds next time. The delay time was too perfect & too close to apogee. I know I used Thrust Curve to set the delay last time.

 

[bobbyg23]

My Phoenix weighs in at about 5.4 lbs - no motor. I keep track of the basic launch info on my rockets. The last flight on the H550 shows my delay time as 8 seconds. But I made a note that I should go 9 seconds next time. The delay time was too perfect & too close to apogee. I know I used Thrust Curve to set the delay last time.

Great info. Thanks.

 

[jimzcatz]

Nice build, great finish. Please splain to me how you got the fincan installed without extending the slots the length of the fins, or did I miss something?

 

[mo2872]

Nice build, great finish. Please splain to me how you got the fincan installed without extending the slots the length of the fins, or did I miss something?

With a new blade, you cut slits betwixt said slots. You can see them in between the fins in his photos before paint. Works great, but an extra pair of hands is......handy.

 

[jimzcatz]

Yep, I missed that. I was wondering how to do this. I have a 4inch and 6inch SWAT upscale that I was hesitant on cutting slots the entire lenght of the tube. Although both of those are G10 airframes.Both need rebuilt, so I will try something different this time. Great job on the AGM=54!!

 

[mo2872]

Yep, I missed tha. I was wondering how to do this. I have a 4inch and 6inch SWAT upscale that I was hesitant on cutting slots the entire lenght of the tube. Although both of those are G10 airframes.Both need rebuilt, so I will try something different this time. Great job on the AGM=54!!

Oooh, love the SWAT.....build thread anywhere on those??

 

[jimzcatz]

yea, but I couldnt tell you where...enjoy. Not trying to hijack your thread.

 

[bobbyg23]

yea, but I couldnt tell you where...enjoy. Not trying to hijack your thread.

Those are awesome! I haven't heard of the swat before.

 

[jimzcatz]

cant resist high praise!!

 

[bobbyg23]

cant resist high praise!!

That is awesome!!

 

[Private]

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I just picked up a LOC - 4" Phoenix late 2023. I noted a few potential differences between your model and mine.

1) Your delivery box was much longer than mine.
2) Your rocket body looks like it is one piece. Mine came in a 30" section and an 8" section.
3) Your mid motor tube centering rings look like they are slotted. Mine are solid.
4) Yours included the RNWS mine did not.

So I had a couple of questions as a result. Hopefully you can remember some of the details still.

Q1: Did you have to notch the centering rings for the fins yourself or did they come that way?
Q2: Was your body tube one continuous piece?
Q3: In your photos of the preassembled fin set up, I noticed you have a piece of tubing at the tip that is larger than the MMT. However its not in all your shots of the assembly. What is the purpose of this tube?
Q4: Between your middle centering rings, there is a tube that is of larger diameter than the MMT but smaller than the centering ring. What is the purpose of that segment of tubing?

 

[David Schwantz]

x

 

[bobbyg23]

I just picked up a LOC - 4" Phoenix late 2023. I noted a few potential differences between your model and mine.

1) Your delivery box was much longer than mine.
2) Your rocket body looks like it is one piece. Mine came in a 30" section and an 8" section.
3) Your mid motor tube centering rings look like they are slotted. Mine are solid.
4) Yours included the RNWS mine did not.

So I had a couple of questions as a result. Hopefully you can remember some of the details still.

Q1: Did you have to notch the centering rings for the fins yourself or did they come that way?
Q2: Was your body tube one continuous piece?
Q3: In your photos of the preassembled fin set up, I noticed you have a piece of tubing at the tip that is larger than the MMT. However its not in all your shots of the assembly. What is the purpose of this tube?
Q4: Between your middle centering rings, there is a tube that is of larger diameter than the MMT but smaller than the centering ring. What is the purpose of that segment of tubing?

It looks like they updated it.
1. Mine came notched. Looks like they don't do that anymore.
2. My bt was 1 piece. They probably shortened it for shipping purposes. I know shipping companies have increased prices dramatically and the shorter box helps keep the price down.
3. and 4. I believe this is an illusion. The fins are glued to the mmt tube and makes the tube look smaller in those areas.

 

[Private]

It looks like they updated it.
1. Mine came notched. Looks like they don't do that anymore.
2. My bt was 1 piece. They probably shortened it for shipping purposes. I know shipping companies have increased prices dramatically and the shorter box helps keep the price down.
3. and 4. I believe this is an illusion. The fins are glued to the mmt tube and makes the tube look smaller in those areas.

Ahh yes, I see the illusion now. The fins are hiding the true diameter of the BT. Makes perfect sense.

For Q3. Why does the MMT extend forward of the lead centering ring in some photos but not all?