ECayemberg
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- Jan 21, 2009
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It's been a while since I posted a build thread, so let's roll with a new offering coming out of the LOC/PML shop in the near future!
Overview
The largest LOC/Precision production offering from Loc/Precision EVER! This monster towers over 10' in length, 7.67" in diameter, and is designed to handle full M's (perhaps into the N range) for L3 shots, without the need for composite reinforcements. To a degree, what's old is new again! Rewind 20+ years and the majority of L3 shots were huge paper and plywood rockets that majestically rose skyward on the likes of M1419's or M1939's. In the early 2000's, 2010's (is that a thing?), and through today, the migration towards relatively smaller, more dense glass birds has been the trend. I'll admit that my L3 was a 4" airframe, 3" hole convolute glass bird from the early Curtis Turner/Rocketry Online days! I love a variety...I like smaller glass birds, carbon fiber when appropriate, big Cardboard any day of the week, and perhaps my favorite: strategically reinforced cardboard or phenolic for true composite structure builds. This build is all about an "easy" L3 airframe that is affordable, can be constructed without any exotic materials, may be broken down into smaller ~30" sections for easy transport, and can handle full M's and beyond without modification. The best perk for me is that this monster bird is light enough to throw over the shoulder and carry to the pad without an army of support crew members!
Rules for the Build
Rules are self-imposed. Many of you know I like a challenge; and perhaps I like to challenge the status quo at times. These are not your rules, but they may be useful in assembling similar rockets.
1. No glass reinforcements allowed. Not even milled glass.
2. All joints between airframe sections shall be double walled (reinforced with a stiffy).
3. All ends of the tubes shall be sealed with thin CA. My veteran Loc Magnum has floated in Bong ponds twice and Ash Grove flooded field once; still flies great today. Yes it's cardboard, and yes sealing the ends of the tubes is beneficial.
4. Glassine shall be peeled from any external tube service being bonded to. Simple, easy, effective. Epoxy soaks into the virgin paper like a sponge, I like that, I'm not looking for an argument here.
5. Use common materials...ie: nothing I can't purchase within a 30-mile radius or local vendors. I'll save "fancy" for elsewhere.
6. Any other rules I've forgotten will be covered later. Who needs rules anyway; this is a hobby!
Why?
There's always a "Why" for my build threads. The common theme is that rocketry is fun and I'm a confirmed rocket addict. I have too many rockets, not enough space, don't really need additional rockets, but darnit I *need* to feed the habit. Other Why's are threefold:
1. I won this rocket at LDRS41 this past summer by flying the lowest Goblin (123' with dual deploy!) Thanks Loc/Precision; and Dennis for running events!
2. James Russell and I were talking about developing an example of Tripoli L3 bare minimum paperwork. I'll be posting on that later in this thread. Note, I'm one TAP, we're all a little different (most rocketry people are); the intent here is create a guide that exemplifies the bare minimum documentation for an L3 Project. One can, and is encouraged to do more, but it serves as a baseline for the administrative side of the L3 project.
3. The Loc boys are great friends. Occasionally I have the opportunity to play with "stuff". This project is a step in the product development of this sweet new offering coming down the pipeline. Bravo to the Rush fans...err Loc boys for tweaking the offering prior to full-on production!
Sneak Peak:
Without further ado, here's a dry fit early in the process!
Hey @troj
Overview
The largest LOC/Precision production offering from Loc/Precision EVER! This monster towers over 10' in length, 7.67" in diameter, and is designed to handle full M's (perhaps into the N range) for L3 shots, without the need for composite reinforcements. To a degree, what's old is new again! Rewind 20+ years and the majority of L3 shots were huge paper and plywood rockets that majestically rose skyward on the likes of M1419's or M1939's. In the early 2000's, 2010's (is that a thing?), and through today, the migration towards relatively smaller, more dense glass birds has been the trend. I'll admit that my L3 was a 4" airframe, 3" hole convolute glass bird from the early Curtis Turner/Rocketry Online days! I love a variety...I like smaller glass birds, carbon fiber when appropriate, big Cardboard any day of the week, and perhaps my favorite: strategically reinforced cardboard or phenolic for true composite structure builds. This build is all about an "easy" L3 airframe that is affordable, can be constructed without any exotic materials, may be broken down into smaller ~30" sections for easy transport, and can handle full M's and beyond without modification. The best perk for me is that this monster bird is light enough to throw over the shoulder and carry to the pad without an army of support crew members!
Rules for the Build
Rules are self-imposed. Many of you know I like a challenge; and perhaps I like to challenge the status quo at times. These are not your rules, but they may be useful in assembling similar rockets.
1. No glass reinforcements allowed. Not even milled glass.
2. All joints between airframe sections shall be double walled (reinforced with a stiffy).
3. All ends of the tubes shall be sealed with thin CA. My veteran Loc Magnum has floated in Bong ponds twice and Ash Grove flooded field once; still flies great today. Yes it's cardboard, and yes sealing the ends of the tubes is beneficial.
4. Glassine shall be peeled from any external tube service being bonded to. Simple, easy, effective. Epoxy soaks into the virgin paper like a sponge, I like that, I'm not looking for an argument here.
5. Use common materials...ie: nothing I can't purchase within a 30-mile radius or local vendors. I'll save "fancy" for elsewhere.
6. Any other rules I've forgotten will be covered later. Who needs rules anyway; this is a hobby!
Why?
There's always a "Why" for my build threads. The common theme is that rocketry is fun and I'm a confirmed rocket addict. I have too many rockets, not enough space, don't really need additional rockets, but darnit I *need* to feed the habit. Other Why's are threefold:
1. I won this rocket at LDRS41 this past summer by flying the lowest Goblin (123' with dual deploy!) Thanks Loc/Precision; and Dennis for running events!
2. James Russell and I were talking about developing an example of Tripoli L3 bare minimum paperwork. I'll be posting on that later in this thread. Note, I'm one TAP, we're all a little different (most rocketry people are); the intent here is create a guide that exemplifies the bare minimum documentation for an L3 Project. One can, and is encouraged to do more, but it serves as a baseline for the administrative side of the L3 project.
3. The Loc boys are great friends. Occasionally I have the opportunity to play with "stuff". This project is a step in the product development of this sweet new offering coming down the pipeline. Bravo to the Rush fans...err Loc boys for tweaking the offering prior to full-on production!
Sneak Peak:
Without further ado, here's a dry fit early in the process!
Hey @troj
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