Brief
The Launch Pad Phoenix is a nice scale model of the AIM-54c long range Air-to-air missile. The model is meant for D and E engines, and it's claimed that it's ready for F's too. At 2.6 in around and 28 in tall, it's a nice size model.

Construction
I sent away the order and it came back in six days via Priority Mail! It was all in one bag surrounded in shredded newspaper. All of the parts that were supposed to be there were, but it's a small kit. No decals are included and there is a lot of sheet wood to cut out parts. The balsa that came with the kit was very soft, so I cut the bottom fins out of plywood.

The rest of the construction is very strong and practical, all except for one part. The first thing I noticed upon opening the kit was the Estes Fatboy nose cone that was included. That stumped me for a while until I read the instructions. They require you to roll a little paper cone to fit on top of the blunt NC! The instructions are fairly good and guide you through the whole thing. The tube couplers are a little short, so be careful when joining the tubes to keep them aligned.

Finishing
Because of the soft balsa, I layered the top fins in paper (described on my site). I sealed the plywood bottom fins, primed and painted it. I painted the NC white(flat) and I airbrushed the body a very light grey to match the real one. I used the technique mentioned in the instructions to make rivet heads. Since the kit came with no decals, I ordered a set from Estes, because their Phoenix is the same size.

Construction Rating: 3 out of 5

Flight
The Phoenix flies great, but I would add a little nose weight. It boosts nicely on a D12-5 and very good on an E15-4. The 4-6 ejection time range is good for this model. I'm anxious to try it on F engines . . . I think it would handle the power very nicely.

A baby could prep this rocket, It's just like any other. It flies nice and straight on most motors and is inspiring to watch.

Recovery
The Launch Pad uses the same technique as Estes to retain the shock cord (very bad). I replaced the patch of paper with a loop of Kevlar® anchored to the engine block and tied to the shock cord. The shock cord needs to be made longer too.

The kit comes with a cool red mylar chute, 18" in diameter. It comes down a little quicker than like, but it hasn't taken any damage yet. Replace the supplied shroud lines with some Kevlar® or stronger string.

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary
Pro's: A nice scale kit with more features than what is typical of rockets these days.

Con's: A somewhat incomplete kit with not a lot of guidance for a beginner, but enough for an experienced rocketeer.

This kit was one of my first scale kits and I'm glad that it included lots of scale data, it's just too bad it didn't come with decals or a pre-made nose cone.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

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