LOC/Precision 4-29SS

LOC/Precision - 4-29SS {Kit}

Contributed by Michael Stephens

Construction Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstar_borderstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Diameter: 3.00 inches
Manufacturer: LOC/Precision
Style: Cluster

Brief:
It is a nice mid-high power rocket that makes you enjoy clustering

Construction:
The packaging was standard Loc plastic bag but it made it through the mail ok. The fins were hard to align because they just stuck in between the motor tubes. I did ok by using a square. Everything else went ok. The instructions were vague to me but that's ok I had a lot of fun figuring it out (no note of sarcasm). It was easy to build and that's good because my previous rocket was Estes ARV condor which I had trouble with. Put the launch lug on before you put the fin section on the rocket. Also fill all gaps between the motor tubes and the coupler before installment of the fin section (that was an interesting mess).

Finishing:
Paint her any way you please just don't you use kylon primer and enamel spray paint (had a bad reaction almost ending up buying new tubes. The nose cone won't take paint very well so put a clear coat over it to protect it. It looks awesome and technical.

Construction Rating: 3 out of 5

Flight:
It's difficult to ignite . I used two G40-7w's and had no problem but if you don't have the right equipment it doesn't work. Prep was a breeze but it will be harder once I get my camera built.

Recovery:
Standard elastic band and wadding. It needs a bigger chute. It set down with a thud and almost broke the fin.

Flight Rating: 2 out of 5

Summary:
If you don't have a decent launcher don't get it. It puts out a lot of thrust and requires a lot of power to ignite. If you won't accept that your maiden voyage might do loops don't try it. I loved it and she will fly again (maybe two H's he he he evil grin)

Overall Rating: 3 out of 5

Other Reviews
  • LOC/Precision 4-29SS By Moira Jean Whitlock

      Single staged, but with the choice of being flown with two or four 29mm motors, specified as 2 G type or 4 F type. It has the fins attached wedge style between the four motor tubes, which extend below the main body tube. The nose cone is hollow plastic, and the fins are precut plywood. The tubes are spiral wound kraft paper.  The parachute is a lightweight pink nylon. Very bright ...

Flights

Comments:

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B.W. (December 1, 1999)
This was one of the most fun and best looking rockets I've built. It flies great on two G-35 EconoJets. I can't wait to fly it on two F-20s airstarting two of the new blackjack EconoJets. It goes together pretty well, but I unfortunately learned a lesson with this rocket that almost caused a disaster. I left the recovery wadding in the rocket for a month or so, and when I flew it, it got jammed but somehow the parachute came out anyway. When I went out to the very dry field to recover it, it was very hot and smoking. When I brought it back it turned out that the inside of the rocket was on fire, the tube was actually OK, but if it had taken me longer to find it, it would have started a major fire! Other than that, the flight was awesome.
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B.R. (September 1, 2000)
I built this kit over last winter, and it went together pretty easily. I decided to epoxy in the motor mount assembly, though, as I felt more comfortable with it like that. First flight was on 2 F52's. The liners were both tight and long, so assemble was a pain. However, I used two homemade ignitors. Launched on a HPR pad at MRFF for a good, but angled flight (wind died down before it was launched). Next flights looking forward to 4 F20's, 2 G35's, or maybe 2 G80's.
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T.M. (July 1, 2001)
Looking to try something different I picked up the 4-29SS with four 24mm adapters. The kit went together easily. The finished rocket has a nice weight and length to it. Detaching the bottom of the rocket makes it easy to prep and transport. I finally got to launch it recently on two D12-3 and two D12-P with homemade pyrogen igniters. It soared upwards with four distinct flames and a nice roar. I highly recommend this kit to anyone wanting to cluster as it will use two to four motors from 24mm to 29mm in size.
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R.M. (August 1, 2001)
It would be good if the person writing the review could put the fins on correctly. This lady has glued the forward leading edge to the tubes. By the way I got my 429-ss directly from Ron at LDRS. Also I fly it on H180's going to H128's
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D.J.D. (September 19, 2001)
I launched this rocket on 4 D12-3?s. Doubled up on the standard Estes igniters (two per motor) and applied plenty of power to them. They all fired and the four flames where wonderful! The flight was very stable and the altitude was approximately 300-400 feet. I will try the 4-29SS with the new Estes E motors and with four G Black Jack's.
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P.V. (August 2, 2003)
FlyingI am really pleased with this kit. As my first cluster kit I was expecting some problems but construction went very smoothly. I have only flown it once on two G35-7 motors. Using two motors was easy because there is no external plugging required if you follow LOC's instructions and permanently plug two of the motor tubes at the top before attaching the fin assembly. I used Quickburst Twiggy igniters and the rocket took off with very little delay. I flew to around 2,000 feet and was recovered nearby on a Top Flight 30" X-type chute without damage. I highly recommend this kit for those who enjoy clusters.

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