Viperfixr
Born Again Rocketeer
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2009
- Messages
- 1,474
- Reaction score
- 73
I followed HPR for a couple years while at an overseas USAF assignment to Japan 1998-2001, but moving back to the US spurred me to buy my first HPR kit. On 11 Jul 2001, I bought a BSD Horizon kit from Rocketsilo.com (that no longer exists) for $69.99 and could not wait to tear into my first 'big' rocket. However, things like 9/11 , a growing family and other hobbies took over and the sad Horizon sat unbuilt in the original box, hidden in the back of the garage for four more military moves. I did get into HPR in 2007 and haven't looked back, but did my L1 and L2 certifications on a BSD 38 Special...the Horizon didn't get any love. As funny as it sounds now, the uncut fin slots scared me away.
Fast forward to June 2018, I was looking for a simple HPR rocket that I could prep and fly in 10 minutes or less, but big enough to fly on L1 motors with a semi-small field. I was looking at LOC 4" kits when the sad Horizon still in the garage came to mind--seemed like the perfect kit. So, finally, the Horizon got some attention! I decided to add an Aeropack motor retainer and a LOC Baffle, the later being used to make it zipperless configuration wise. I cut off the nosecone end, put a little nose weight in (epoxy & BBs), then a bulkhead with an eyebolt near the tip, leaving most of the nosecone inner area for shock cord. A 50" Top Flight parachute fits into the tiny payload area with room to spare.
Awesome decals thanks to Stickershock23
The Last Horizon flew her maiden voyage yesterday at the MDRA launch, first going up on an Aerotech H242T, and then on a CTI I212 Smoky Sam. Both flights were very straight, little rotation, spot-on stability and flawless chute deployments (love that LOC Baffle). While probably the latest BSD rocket kit to be built, I wonder if it is one of the last. Was this the last BSD Horizon to be made? Yes, there are close matches in Binder Designs, LOC and Fusion rocket offerings. But, are there any other BSD kits or rockets still out there?
Fast forward to June 2018, I was looking for a simple HPR rocket that I could prep and fly in 10 minutes or less, but big enough to fly on L1 motors with a semi-small field. I was looking at LOC 4" kits when the sad Horizon still in the garage came to mind--seemed like the perfect kit. So, finally, the Horizon got some attention! I decided to add an Aeropack motor retainer and a LOC Baffle, the later being used to make it zipperless configuration wise. I cut off the nosecone end, put a little nose weight in (epoxy & BBs), then a bulkhead with an eyebolt near the tip, leaving most of the nosecone inner area for shock cord. A 50" Top Flight parachute fits into the tiny payload area with room to spare.
Awesome decals thanks to Stickershock23
The Last Horizon flew her maiden voyage yesterday at the MDRA launch, first going up on an Aerotech H242T, and then on a CTI I212 Smoky Sam. Both flights were very straight, little rotation, spot-on stability and flawless chute deployments (love that LOC Baffle). While probably the latest BSD rocket kit to be built, I wonder if it is one of the last. Was this the last BSD Horizon to be made? Yes, there are close matches in Binder Designs, LOC and Fusion rocket offerings. But, are there any other BSD kits or rockets still out there?
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