The Launch Pad - Type 30 {Kit} (K049)

The Launch Pad Type 30

The Launch Pad - Type 30 {Kit} (K049)

Contributed by Darren Collins

Diameter:	2.60 inches
Manufacturer:	The Launch Pad
Style:	Scale

(Contributed - by Darren Collins)

Rocket Pic Brief:
One of the larger scale kits by The Launch Pad. Listed as a skill level 2, but I think this is the easiest level this company makes.

Construction:
Packaging was good. No damage. All parts fit okay. I coated the balsa fins with thin C.A. glue as suggested after cutting them out. This caused them to warp a little, but I was able to hold them straight while the body tube/fin glue joints cured. I used yellow glue throughout.

There are two body tubes, with a coupler glued in between, with "Estes-style" centering rings on the motor tube.

The instructions said to form a paper shroud (included) and attach it to the plastic nose cone to give it a more pronounced pointed tip. I decided to pass on this step, and see how the rocket looked and performed without it.

Overall, it went together pretty easily. There was no thrust ring/motor block. I wish I had realized this earlier, so I could have used a slice from a spent D motor casing, but so far, the flat metal motor clip has been sufficient.

There was no placement instructions for the launch lug, I e-mailed the company, and they said most people have their own preference, they put them just behind the center of gravity, so I did, too.

Finishing:
There were no decals, so I put some automotive pin striping tape on over the green spray paint. The pinstripes don't stick very well at the fin edges.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
The first and second flights were on D12-5 motors. They were arrow- straight with perfect 'chute deployment and recovery. The third flight was on a E15-7 it was great! After a fairly long chase, my Type 30 was in my hands, in perfect condition. A pinstripe ended up missing, but considering it was my first E-motor launch, I was extremely pleased.

Recovery:
The nose cone comes off at ejection. There is a 10" piece of shroud line from the nose cone to the shock cord. I think this is to prevent the dreaded "bounce-back". The shock cord is about 40" of 1/4" elastic and it is a mylar parachute. The mylar parachute worked great.

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
I think this is a great kit from a company that specializes in mid-power scale models.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

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

Other Reviews

The Launch Pad Type 30 By Greg Deeter
This is a single stage rocket, nice sized, over 3 feet tall. Skill level (2), being the most simple kit offered by The Launch Pad. It comes in a large retail type (Estes type) plastic bag with a peg hole punched header card and a full color cardboard insert which looks very nice. I purchased this kit and two other Launch Pad kits (the two others being the HARM and ALARM) at the same ...
The Launch Pad Type 30 By John P. Jordan
Brief: The Launch Pad's Type-30 Artillery Rocket is a good introductory kit to mid-power rocketry. It's fairly easy to build and it flies great! Introduction: After launching model rockets with my eight year old daughter for some time we learned that the smaller the rocket the harder it is to find after each flight. Our most successful rocket was Big Bertha, which was easy to find and ...

Flights

Comments:

A.J. (December 7, 2002)

I have built several kits by The Launch Pad, and have yet to suffer any "structural defects" during a flight. Each kit gives specific instructions on making the fins stronger. If you are truly concerned with the overall construction quality of your finished product, then you might want to brush-up on your basic rocket building skills.

M.A. (June 14, 2009)

This is my second Launch Pad kit and my second rocket after getting involved in rocketry after a 40 year layoff. I first built a Launch Pad AIM-7 Sparrow, but after attending a few NEFAR launches I wanted something more. I chose the Type 30 due to its clean lines and size. The first thing I did was replace the 24mm MMT with a 29mm MMT. I cut the fins out of 1/4in basswood and used plenty of epoxy. I used some 1/8in Kevlar? line in addition to the stock shock cord. I assembled a 29mm engine retainer using a 1.25in drain extention from Lowe's. I assembled the MMT with plenty of epoxy. My aim was to build this rocket very strong so I could eventually use it for Level 1 certification. I extended the fins to mount them tight against the MMT and cut slots in the BT. I epoxied the entire thing together, sprayed it with white Krylon primer and then with Krylon red, added some black pin stripes, and it is very pretty. The first flight was 06-13-09 at the NEFAR Bunnel Half Blast with an AT SU F-50. The rocket left the pad in a big hurry and went out of sight. The ejection charge separated the shock cord from the MMT and it came down in 2 pieces. It was not damaged at all. Next flight will be an AT SU G-77.

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