LOC Ultimate Buzz, 5.5"

[Donnager]

Anyone built one of these?

Got mine finished and I'm pretty happy with it. Looked online for launch videos and this one seems to be uncommon.

Of course, I had to install the rear fins backward......

Going to have to post some pictures.

 

[KenECoyote]

Nope, but following since I ordered one from Wildman during BF sales!

 

[Donnager]

I hope fluorescent green and glitter is cool.

Only problem I had was the fin slots were about 117 degrees between one and two of the others, the balance was about 125-127 ish.
Had to widen two slots to accommodate and then fiberglassed the gaps. Not really worried about it.... the fin can is stout.

Pictures tonight or in the morning.

 

[Donnager]

I hope fluorescent green and glitter is cool.

Only problem I had was the fin slots were about 117 degrees between one and two of the others, the balance was about 125-127 ish.
Had to widen two slots to accommodate and then fiberglassed the gaps. Not really worried about it.... the fin can is stout.

Pictures tonight or in the morning.

 

[KenECoyote]

I hope fluorescent green and glitter is cool.

I was going to reply that it's not the colors used as much as how it's uses.

I love it! Has a really cool 80s/90s vibe!

 

[Donnager]

I was going to reply that it's not the colors used as much as how it's uses.

I love it! Has a really cool 80s/90s vibe!

My wife suggested the color. I did the glitter and used some left over flame decals from an 8" Prometheus.

I agree, the more I look at it, the more I like it. It does seem to scream mid 90's.....

 

[Art Upton]

Looks late 60s - early 70s to me, "Sock it To Me" Laugh In

 

[Art Upton]

Looks late 60s - early 70s to me, "Sock it To Me" Laugh In

AMC built a car called a Gremlin in that color in the early 70s

 

[gloy]

You can see mine fly on a k535 , on you tube by the rocket Smith. The video is called the screech flies again. It is at 5.35

 

[KenECoyote]

I agree, the more I look at it, the more I like it. It does seem to scream mid 90's.....

 

[-Slick-Ice]

That is perfect!

 

[rdrown]

Only problem I had was the fin slots were about 117 degrees between one and two of the others, the balance was about 125-127 ish.
Had to widen two slots to accommodate and then fiberglassed the gaps. Not really worried about it.... the fin can is stout.

I had the exact same problem on a LOC V2 4 inch. Fin slots were not at 90 degrees each (4 fins). Had to move two about 8 degrees to get properly aligned.

 

[Donnager]

I had the exact same problem on a LOC V2 4 inch. Fin slots were not at 90 degrees each (4 fins). Had to move two about 8 degrees to get properly aligned.

On this one, I'm not sure if the diameter was a little tight and that made their machine cut grooves improperly, or if it was just sloppy. I didn't see it until I tried to insert the fin can, and it tore the body tube in two places.

I had large problems clearancing for the coupler for it to be insertable. MUCH sanding needed. I usually paint with epoxy or CA and grind/sand as necessary for clearance.

 

[Donnager]

I had the exact same problem on a LOC V2 4 inch. Fin slots were not at 90 degrees each (4 fins). Had to move two about 8 degrees to get properly aligned.

I don't expect too much, but if you can't have the fin slots spaced properly, I'd rather cut them myself, and have no problems doing so. I had a half inch gap on two fins, that had to be covered/reinforced with fiberglass.

My experience is the LOC'nFin is usually pretty well done. This one measured right. I was surprised as it got tighter and tighter as it was put in the airframe, as it jammed the edges of the two .

 

[Donnager]

Flew it Saturday, K-535. 2,949'.

Recovered nicely.

 

[KenECoyote]

Flew it Saturday, K-535. 2,949'.

Recovered nicely.

Very cool!

Did it "buzz"?

 

[Donnager]

Very cool!

Did it "buzz"?

No, unfortunately. Could be because the back fin-set was installed backward. I have a couple of split fin rockets that whistle, but this one was a slow motor and it was pretty high when it cut off.

I may be able to get a whistle out of it with a J1299, J1799 or a K1499 if it doesn't get too high before the motor cuts off. I left all the intermediate edges square.

 

[KenECoyote]

No, unfortunately. Could be because the back fin-set was installed backward. I have a couple of split fin rockets that whistle, but this one was a slow motor and it was pretty high when it cut off.

I may be able to get a whistle out of it with a J1299, J1799 or a K1499 if it doesn't get too high before the motor cuts off. I left all the intermediate edges square.

Note to self: Build strong.

 

[Donnager]

Note to self: Build strong.

Agree.

My fin cans will (usually) tolerate more abuse than I am capable of providing. Maybe if they made a J/K4500, I may leave a fin or two on the pad., but more likely to leave the fins in the air as it gets too fast.

I have a lot of rockets, this one made my "like and re-fly" group. I kind of did a little disco dance when the main came out--fortunately no one saw me and thought I was having a seizure. I really like the Loc 5.5" stuff, and I have multiple exchangeable electronics.

 

[Rob Campbell]

Looks late 60s - early 70s to me, "Sock it To Me" Laugh In

I'm old enough to remember that. It was funny back in the day.

 

[Donnager]

Video of this one is at 8:20. Thanks to HYO that was filming at the site.

 

[-Slick-Ice]

LOL Good reaction time switching rockets

 

[Donnager]

Part of me wishes I'd have put a K1103X in that one, but, as you could hear, it was a little windy.

Recovery was a little over a 1/4 mile from the line. I could have used the bigger motor.

 

[Hobie1dog]

I had the exact same problem on a LOC V2 4 inch. Fin slots were not at 90 degrees each (4 fins). Had to move two about 8 degrees to get properly aligned.

I wonder how many other people have had this problem?

 

[Donnager]

I wonder how many other people have had this problem?

Don't know. The LOC-n-Fin section was properly cut. It was just the tube fin slots that were an issue. Being a split fin, it was twice the issue, or at least twice as long of an issue.

I built the fin can outside the rocket, so putting that in is kind of the big deal. It was a little tight when I started, but it spread the tube like a peeled banana and tore the tube at one slot when it jammed. In the future, I'll measure the spacing between the slots.