TLP, (The Launch Pad) Fans Thread

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All beautiful builds guys. Im in stages of the Ajax....my first TLP kit. I see several on the horizon.
 
Wow, I'm surprised I missed this thread!

Here's pics of my Indigo...one of my early rocket builds as I was getting really into LP and starting to move into Mid Power...I think in early 2014. Note I have posted these pics in other places too.
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Finally got to launch it end of 2015. I took it to a lot of launches, but just never got to launch it due to different reasons...unfortunately the forward fins/canards splayed out due to improper travel storage - I got it mostly straightened back, but not as nice as it was before.
 
Here's my TLP Maverick. Enjoyed the build, but finding the right decals was a chore (I thought this one would be simple!). I've launched it three times and the second time it landed in a river where it floated for 15 minutes. Got it back and it seems in good shape to fly again!

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Love TLP the kits! I have a bunch I'm dying to build and I'll try to post them here sooner this time. :wink:
 
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How can you check to see which kits have the paper cone, also are there substitute nose cones that will fit, to replace the need for paper?

IMO the easiest way is just look at the pic of the rocket on the TLP site (https://www.the-launch-pad.com/) or package. Pointy = add paper cone. If you can't tell, then don't worry about it if they do tell you to add it on and just leave it off/skip it. You shouldn't be too worried about at least trying it...if it fails, just tear it off and start again or skip. No biggie.
 
How can you check to see which kits have the paper cone, also are there substitute nose cones that will fit, to replace the need for paper?

If you want a custom cone, contact Gordy at Excelsior Rocketry (he is "sandman" on YORF). He is known for custom decals, turnings, and periodically, kits. His website is sandmandecals.com (he lost the Excelsior website last year).
 
IMO the easiest way is just look at the pic of the rocket on the TLP site (https://www.the-launch-pad.com/) or package. Pointy = add paper cone. If you can't tell, then don't worry about it if they do tell you to add it on and just leave it off/skip it. You shouldn't be too worried about at least trying it...if it fails, just tear it off and start again or skip. No biggie.

I agree with this advice. The pointy-nosed missiles tend to be those with the paper add-on while rounded noses don't have them. Many of the Launch Pad kits also have reviews at https://www.rocketreviews.com/reviews-3889.html. They will usually mention if a paper cone is part of the kit.
 
In the gallery section, there are only 3 TLP kits listed. If more kits were listed, we might see more pictures.
Here is my 1.6 Phoenix.010.jpg
 
The Whole Fleet 127.jpgThe Whole Fleet 128.jpgThe Whole Fleet 129.jpg
Here are my additions to the TLP thread, The Anubis ( one of the 1.6" kits TR mentioned) Flew at the last club launch on an AT D9 4. The Falcon, this was my first TLP kit and step into mid power The Indigo before it pranged, under powered on an E9 4 it's repaired and waiting to fly on an F32 4.
 
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Here are my additions to the TLP thread, The Anubis ( one of the 1.6" kits TR mentioned) Flew at the last club launch on an AT D9 4. The Falcon, this was my first TLP kit and step into mid power The Indigo before it pranged, under powered on an E9 4 it's repaired and waiting to fly on an F32 4.
The three of them look very nice! I always have weakness for the Indigo and thoughts of making it two stage :) I had a bad experience with an E9 myself. I think these are not powerful enough for their weight. They can lift only rockets that are both very light and very stable.
 
The three of them look very nice! I always have weakness for the Indigo and thoughts of making it two stage :) I had a bad experience with an E9 myself. I think these are not powerful enough for their weight. They can lift only rockets that are both very light and very stable.

+1 - I believe the minimum motor recommended for those kits is a D12, so that is an average thrust of 12N. Given that, any motor you use should be 12+ on thrust (ex. E12*, E20, F24, etc.) since anything less isn't giving it more than the minimum recommended. One would think an E is automatically more "power" than a D, so it must be a bigger and better motor; however the truth is that while the E has about twice as much total impulse/"power", the E9 is sending that power out slower than a D12 (but thrusting for about 3x longer).

AWESOME builds MALBAR 70! :clap: I have an Indigo and it does seem to be a rare bird, so I'm impressed whenever I see another. It was also my first (TLP). :grin:

*Edit: E12, while it has the same average impulse as a D12, weighs a bit more, so it may then still be underpowered. Additionally, many TLPs tend to be built a bit heavier, so given that, I would say if you're going to go up in power, reach for an E20-4. It's an Economax Single Usage motor that's priced very reasonably (price may be just a bit more than for D12s!). I've used this and I think it's a great motor.
 
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Also to be noted, I think the D12 weights around 40g while the E9 is around 60g, further reducing the thrust to weight ratio.
 
I don't think I've heard of anyone making a TLP non-Nike kit two stage...that would be very cool! :pop:
Well, I don't even have to start with the TLP kit. All I need is a nosecone, some 2.6 inch tube and a motor mount. I can build the rest easily. Not TIME may be another thing :p
 
Anybody have experience converting the clustered engine TLP's to single 29mm? I just bought my first TLP and I'm excited to start journey. I bought a AMRAAM and want to convert it to 29mm single with a retainer. Thoughts? I would be using AT relaods.
 
Anybody have experience converting the clustered engine TLP's to single 29mm? I just bought my first TLP and I'm excited to start journey. I bought a AMRAAM and want to convert it to 29mm single with a retainer. Thoughts? I would be using AT relaods.

Way back I changed the 2.6" Hawk from 24mm to 29mm. Great rocket!
 
Anybody have experience converting the clustered engine TLP's to single 29mm? I just bought my first TLP and I'm excited to start journey. I bought a AMRAAM and want to convert it to 29mm single with a retainer. Thoughts? I would be using AT relaods.


I have already made up a OR file for that:

View attachment BT80X29mm AMRAAM AIM-120.ork


In my build que for when I get building again.

BT80X29MMAMRAAM.jpg
 
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What does OR say about the build? I don't have it yet I know it's free...laptop is in the garage and it's cold. Lol

It says what it always says. "GO FOR IT!!!".:)

I can Mindsim rockets just fine, but since I prefer to use heavier building methods I use OR to legitimize my builds to folks that don't like my style or dare to question my stability or safety margins.

I have a scratch built Fiberglassed BT20X13mm version of the AMRAAM too. Flies straight as a laser.
I have yet to fly my BT60X24mm FG version, but OR likes that one too, even on D12s.
 
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I love tlp kits, but the cs can be better.
Anyone know how to contact them? I need a bag of nose cones and I've tried contacting them several times over a month.
 
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