Anyone Have The LOC Viper III Flying On 24mm?

built a Viper IV, great kits.

TopRamen said:

Now you've done it! Seeing it for those prices is too good to pass up! That said, what's up with the Decal? It is different than the one on the LOC Site. I want the Decal from the LOC Site. Can I order just the Decal from them?

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The Photo on the Hobbylinc site is from an earlier LOC catalog, built by Ron Schultz and probabally painted and hand lettered, like most of his birds. See the catalog scans on Ninfinger for the older look for the kits. ( which, personally, I like better than the modern ones on the LOC site ) .

I forgot to get the Threaded Rod to make the Retainer out of when I went to the Hardware Store. I'm sure I likely have something in my Junk Drawers or one of my Sheds.

Rather than use a threaded rod, try this instead.

Get a 1/4-20 hex standoff and epoxy it into the void between the mmt tubes and recessed about 1/2". Then use a machine screw and washer to secure the motors. The advantage here is that the motor exhaust will corrode a sacrificial part rather than a rod that may be a B***H to swap out.

Al has a good suggestion there. That's exactly how I set up my King Viper III, is the threaded (coupler nut ) epoxied into the center space, and use a bolt and large fender washer, even with 38mm adapters.

Funny thing is I used threaded rod on my KVIII. I actually had a piece of 5/8 running the full length of the mmt and anchored to the bulkhead. The idea was to put additional strength into the tail end. When the 3 x K550 tore it apart, the rod actually bent in half! :y:

Dang! Too late for that!









I dry-fitted all the Parts first, and found that the Centering Rings actually held the MMTs apart by a tiny Fraction of an Inch. Because of this, I glued the Tubes together about 3/4 of the length of them, then before the Glue set up, I installed the Rings. Had I have simply gone and glued the Tubes together as per the Instructions, they would not have fit into the Centering Rings.
After they dry, I'll hit them up with some more Fillets.

looking good! (both the Viper and the Alarm:wink

rocketgeek101 said:

looking good! (both the Viper and the Alarm:wink

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Thank you!

This is how I started, because I did not want the Force of Hydraulic Compression warping my MMTs. I laid the Steel into the Fillet, then added little bits of Cotton peeled off of a Q-Tip, to form a "Build up" around the Steel Rod, which is only threaded for the last Inch. I cut notches in the Rod, and made sure it went far enough inside. Then I put the Cotton Fibers on it and rotated it to allow the Fibers to build in a concentric Fashion. After this was setting up for about 25 Minutes, I went at matching up the Final Tube and the Rings.



This whole Process was a lot easier than I make it look. Just Dry Fit your Parts first and get a feel for the Tightness of the Centering Rings. I feel that Titebind II is adequate to assemble this Part, but I'm using Epoxies and TB III in this build too eventually. Each one has a Quality that will be ideal for each Situation.

I recommend this Build to Everyone that is looking for something just a little bit Different. It is so easy that it should be a Skill Level 1 Rocket. It does'nt even have Motor Retainers or a Motor Retainer System.
I'de gladly pay more for a Kit of this Quality, and the Parachute is made beautifully too.
I can't wait to try out my second LOC Kit! This thing is too fun! Three D-12 Motors? I've never done that. I understand I'll have to order up some of those Quest Ignite Everything Igniters.

Come on down to CATO and fly it with us. We drag race the viper 4's but wouldn't kick out a 3, maybe give you some good nature ribbing about forgetting a motor....
We do it on D12's

rick

cbrarick said:

Come on down to CATO and fly it with us. We drag race the viper 4's but wouldn't kick out a 3, maybe give you some good nature ribbing about forgetting a motor....
We do it on D12's

rick

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Maybe we should all build Viper 3's now? Been thinking about it just for the fact that it only takes one package of Estes to put it in the air.

Got my Decals. They are very nice, and came with a well written Instruction Sheet.

Getting the Fins on tonight.

Well, looks like that's finished for now. I'll have to find a heated Garage to do my painting in and bring my Respirator.

Mods I made were adding a Baffle, to which I mounted the Shock Cord via a Screw Eye, And I need to make up a Bulkhead for the Nose Cone because it seem to be stronger than using the Plastic Loop that's molded into the Cone. I papered the Fins too with regular Copy Paper. Also this leaves more room for my Chute/Lines, to which I'm going to attach an Altimeter, so I'll have to drill a small Hole or two into the Chute Compartment. Have not really looked into that yet.




I'de rate this as an Easy Build. The quality of the included Components was "Top Notch", and left nothing to be desired.

Started filling my Spirals. Still can't paint til' the Weather turns nice anyway.

My buddy ordered one it came witholut the decals, but their website has the pattern for download. I printed a set for him, and it came out nice. That sucker flies great on a cluster of three AT E-15s and And probobly three F32's. Strong rocket with strong materials. A great selection!

Rey

TopRamen said:

Now you've done it! Seeing it for those prices is too good to pass up! That said, what's up with the Decal? It is different than the one on the LOC Site. I want the Decal from the LOC Site. Can I order just the Decal from them?

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Reytech said:

My buddy ordered one it came witholut the decals, but their website has the pattern for download. I printed a set for him, and it came out nice. That sucker flies great on a cluster of three AT E-15s and And probobly three F32's. Strong rocket with strong materials. A great selection!

Rey

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Must have been awhile ago, they don't have that available anymore since they've started selling the vinyl.

I baught the Vinyl Decals separately from LOC.

Here's a pic on 3X AT E-15s.

https://reytech.org/TSF 10_17_2010/8.JPG

Rey

Your vinyl looks nice. I sure do wish I had downloaded them all before he pulled them.

Yes. It was a while ago. I didn't know they took the decal patterns down.

Rey

chadrog said:

Must have been awhile ago, they don't have that available anymore since they've started selling the vinyl.

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Got the Primer on finally, thanks to the nicer Weather. The Nose Cone has the most abominable Molding Lines, so I just said "Go crazy with the Bondo!!!". I'm sure it will look fine once I sand it all down. I sanded the Molding Lines as far as I could without wearing a Flat Spot into the thing, so Bondo had to come into play. No Worries.

Looks like I've got the ugly Molding Line filled in nicely.

That worked out just fine. Thank you Bondo.

It's painted. Vinyl will be going on tonight!!!! I'll come back later to post Pics.

Here it is now, hanging up to dry. I put one of the Vinyl Bands on it already because I needed a spot to use for holding the Masking Tape.
It's sunny, breezy, 80 Degrees and low Humidity today, so it's a perfect Day for painting.

All done!

Not bad looking at all. That should be a great flyer for you.