The Launch Pad - Perseus

When I purchased the rocket I thought it was a scale model model, but in actuality it is a Launch Pad Original design. It is a single D motor design with large fins and a boat-tail. I coated the paper boat-tail, inside and out, with 20 minute finish epoxy - which has made it very strong. Also, I sealed the fins with several coats of the same epoxy. This made them very slick and strong (none have been damaged so far). The fins, in the old modeling style, must be traced onto the balsa stock - and then cut out . Next the large fins are created by gluing pieces together on wax paper. The building of the rocket is like scratch building, with the design already created for you, and the pieces laid out - very satisfying. The instructions are on one page and, although adequate, give a minimal amount of information. I used a Kevlar® cord instead of the "Estes" shock cord method that was suggested. Chrome paint was applied over several primer coats and I found some missile style decals to apply. I added 1 ounce of lead shot, mixed with epoxy, to the nose cone - due to the forward fins. This rocket flies great on D and E motors. Very straight and high flights are the normal.

UPDATE 1/00 -
After reading Chuck Brandt's comments about Launch Pad kits, very well written I might add, I wanted to make a couple of more points. I added a lot of weight to the rear of the rocket, lots of epoxy, due to the landing areas I was using at the time (gravel parking lot at the Lawrenceville, Georgia Fairgrounds). This extra weight made some forward weight necessary. I agree with Chuck, but I never follow the instructions to the letter, as I try to add my rocketry experience to the design. I do learn a lot from all the instructions I read and I do read every word, several times usually.

* SPECIAL NOTE off of RMR from Chuck Barndt, President of The Launch Pad

The following excerpt is from "Sport Rocketry". The intention is to allow guests to get a basic feeling about a kit. We strongly suggest that you get a copy of the referenced Sport Rocketry and read the entire article. Inside you will find many helpful hints in construction as well as other useful information. For more information, use the two links above.

"The Launch Pad's Perseus rocket is an original design of a Navy-like Missile."
"It has a sleek appearance and the look of a real missile with a boat tail, rear fins with strakes, and forward fins."
"You should have a few Estes type rockets under your belt before tackling a Launch Pad kit. At least a couple of those Estes kits should be skill level 3."
"The instructions for Launch Pad kits are quite minimal, usually 1-2 pages with some diagrams."
One last point, Launch Pad rockets do not come with decals. Final finishing details are up to the modeler."
"The kit comes with fin patterns which you must trace onto the supplied balsa stock and cut out. . . . The Launch Pad provides just enough balsa for the required number of fins."
"You will need your own tube marking guide for placement of the fins . . ."
The most difficult part of construction is the boat tail (tail cone). This is formed from paper."
"A 1/4" elastic shock cord is provided. I felt it was too short and I replaced the one in the kit with a 36" long shock cord."
"An 18" mylar parachute completes the recovery system . . . "
"I flew my Perseus with an Estes D12-5 motor. Lift-off was straight and I soon lost sight of the white rocket in the clouds."
"Overall, I enjoy building Launch Pad kits because you really get to use your modeling skills."

The entire article gives the impression is that this kit for an intermediate to expert modeler.

* SPECIAL NOTE off of RMR from Chuck Barndt, President of The Launch Pad 

Flight Log

Date	Rocket Name	Motor(s)	Altitude	Notes
2001-05-05	Casey Smith's The Launch Pad Perseus	D12-5	900 feet	Great boost of this Jeff Butcher kit. It had a great deploy, hit some power lines but bounced off....
2003-05-26	Michael Mangieri's The Launch Pad Perseus	2XC11-3	-	Maiden flight of the Perseus-II. Used C11s because of the small field size. Wonderful flight.
2003-06-14	Michael Mangieri's The Launch Pad Perseus	2XD12-5	-	First flight on D-power. A bit of an arc to the flight, but otherwise beautiful.
2006-01-28	Todd Mullin's The Launch Pad Perseus	D12-3	-	Snapped all the shroudlines at ejection and flat roll recovered. Minor fin damage, easily...
2006-03-11	Michael Mangieri's The Launch Pad Perseus	2XD12-3	-	One motor CATOed, ripping the motor mount from the airframe. The remaining motor took the motor...
2006-07-08	Todd Mullin's The Launch Pad Perseus	D12-5	-	Great flight....splash down recovery... Airframe soaked through with salt water. Going to part...
2008-02-02	Doyle Tatum's The Launch Pad Perseus	D12-3	-	Great flight - floated down slowly on 18 inch cloth parachute. The light wind carried it downrange...
2009-03-21	Stephen Morrow's The Launch Pad Perseus	D12-5	-	Perfect flight as usual to about 900 ft. I have flown this rocket about 12 times so far and have...
2010-03-07	Stephen Morrow's The Launch Pad Perseus	D12-5	-	Weathercocked after the first 100 ft. Rocket flight was at about a 45 degree angle after that.
2010-04-18	Stephen Morrow's The Launch Pad Perseus	D12-13	-	Wonderful, fast takeoff and great altitude. Rocket recovered without a problem

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