New to Mid Power

For the past 3-4 years I have been flying low power, and last year I got my high power cert on an H-180, but now I want to bridge the gap and get into mid power and fly some F and G engines. Any suggestions on a decent mid power rocket to start off with?

Jeff

Try Aerotech,from my own experience, they make good,sturdy kits. I've built several including the Initiator.Tomahawk,HV Arcas and Astrobee-D and they all flew great. Good Luck!!!

Scratch build!

Easy Easy build are Aerotech rockets. I have the Arreaux and love it. Though I really want to get their Strong Arm rocket!

Loc Precision has some nice rockets with 29mm (F & G) sized motors mounts byt I may recommend 38mm motor mount and use an adaptor for 29mm = more variablitity in motors.

Public missle Limited's IO rocket was my first and loved it and miss it (RIP: Lost at Narcon 2007 in a dual Cato Drag race).:cry:

Just a few ideas!

You really need to make a choice on size first. Are you looking for the low impulse MPR that bridges the LPR to MPR, or a high impulse MPR that bridges to HPR?

You can go with kits like Estes Stormcaster or Patriot and kit-bash with 24mm mount and stronger fins. These will fly great on D-F BP and APCP motors. This is your low cost option, for both the kits and motors. You can build a Stormcaster like I did with a motor mount that takes 24/40 cases and paper laminated fins. It really screams on a F24.

You can go with slightly larger kits like the Aerotech Initiator or Mustang. Most of these types are available with 24 or 29mm mounts. These are a little too big for the D & E BP motors but fly well on E-G composites. The kits and motors are both a little higher priced. The recommendation is get the larger MMT available. You can always size down, not up.

An last, you can go with the larger kits like the PLM Callisto or BD Thug. Most of these sizes are available with 29 or 38mm mounts. They don't fly on E sizes motors of any kind, but are great on the F-I range. Of course these kits and motors will cost the most. My favorite is the Thug. I would recommend the 38mm version. You can always use an adapter and fly 29/40-120 cases. It flies well on a F52 and better on a G64 or G80.

Pick your poison, or pick all three.

Have fun and post lots of pics.

Loc Onyx, low and slow flyer, can go down to a d12 or up into the g-h range, can be built fine with wood glue, they suggest epoxy but that's way overkill.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

Handeman... I am looking for more of a high impulse MPR that bridges to HPR. I have a LOV IV that I did my HPR cert flight on. The specs say that can fly on an F or G, but I built it with a heavy zipperless baffle, so I am reluctant to try it on an F.

I do like the AeroTech HV Arcas and the LOC Onyx.

I'd also recommend either Aerotech or LOC rockets - just off of personal preference.

Aerotech has a number of kits, that if you leave out the motor hook, can be useed for either MPR or HPR. For instance, both the G-Force and Sumo are ideal candidates for both high-thrust MPR and HPR.

As for LOC, I have to admit I really enjoy their kits as well. Again, there's a number of kits here that can be used for both MPR and HPR. It's just personal preference but, I'd aim for something that you can use a 29/40-120 case and you'll be in good shape.

Since you have HPR experience, and probably know what you're doing with motor retention and what not, go with something by PML or LOC. My PML Small Endeavour flies great on G motors, and was also my L1 rocket with an H165. The PML Amraam 2 is a must have in my opinion, and it loves F and G loads. LOC has many kits that are beautiful choices for mpr flights - the Nuke Pro Maxx comes to mind, as does the Norad (the Norad Pro Maxx is great on a G as well as H loads).

Start going through PML and LOC websites and see what you like. That's the best way to decide. Both sites give information on what motors/altitudes the rockets will hit.

A little different, but one of my favorite mid-power rockets is a modded Estes Big Daddy. I had 1/8 ply centering rings and fins made and added some weight to the nose. Flys great on F and G motors with the 29/40-120 case. It's too short for the 29mm HPR motor set though.

Madcow

jtaylor said:

........ Handeman... I am looking for more of a high impulse MPR that bridges to HPR. .....

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If that's the case, I have a PML Callisto I would highly recommend. It uses their "plastic" BT, G10 fins, and piston ejection (no wadding). It's great on hi impulse Fs like the F52, is better on the G64 or G80. I've had mine 4 years and the only mishap was I had to replace one fin fillet when the chute popped, but tangled and didn't open. It fell hard, but sideways.

My favorite in that size is the Binder Design Thug. It also had a chute tangle and hard fall, but it's only damage was chipped paint. At 4" it can use a lot of dog barf, but I bought a Kevlar chute protector and tubing for the shock cord. It's a great flier if you like the short & fat type. I have the 29mm version but would recommend the 38mm, just for more variety

JTaylor I asked a similiar question in the thread below and got some very good advice. Since you have already built high powered rockets you are probably familiar with the tools and techniques but maybe you can find something of value alway https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?t=41238.

I'd suggest modifying any under powered LPR to 29mm. For example, the Big Daddy, Fat Boy (OOP), Big Bertha (not really, but it sims well on 24mm RMS which is also MPR), etc. The Launch Pad kits seem to sim really nicely on 29mm too.

jj94 said:

I'd suggest modifying any under powered LPR to 29mm. For example, the Big Daddy, Fat Boy (OOP), Big Bertha (not really, but it sims well on 24mm RMS which is also MPR), etc. The Launch Pad kits seem to sim really nicely on 29mm too.

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I tend to agree. I don't know about the 29mm, but those LPRs bashed to use 24/40 cases are pretty cool. If you enjoy the building and the challenge of kit bashing, that's definitely a fun way to go. My next project is a Estes Patriot that will see it's first flight on a F39. If it survives that, it can fly on anything.

PML AMRAMM2 is one of my favorite mid-power kits but a Big Daddy with a 29mmt in it is cool but just remember the nose weight

Handeman said:

I tend to agree. I don't know about the 29mm, but those LPRs bashed to use 24/40 cases are pretty cool. If you enjoy the building and the challenge of kit bashing, that's definitely a fun way to go. My next project is a Estes Patriot that will see it's first flight on a F39. If it survives that, it can fly on anything.

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I modded my Patriot for D13's and D24's. Should see it's first flight in around May or when ever I get it painted...

jj94 said:

I modded my Patriot for D13's and D24's. Should see it's first flight in around May or when ever I get it painted...

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That's what I'm working on right now, a Patriot with a 24mm MMT. I'm also using 3mm plywood for fins and making them TTW. Should scream on a F39 and it might even hold together.

Handeman said:

That's what I'm working on right now, a Patriot with a 24mm MMT. I'm also using 3mm plywood for fins and making them TTW. Should scream on a F39 and it might even hold together.

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I built mine completely stock, with the exception of the ply CR's, modded motor hook, and lengthed shock cord. Mine sims to about 1450 feet on either motor. With an F39, it sims to about 2750 feet at about .83 Mach. I doubt it'll shred, even with the high thrust, acceleration/gees, and speed.