LOC/Precision - Magnum {Kit} (PK-16) [1985-]

LOC/Precision Magnum

LOC/Precision - Magnum {Kit} (PK-16) [1985-]

Contributed by Dan Patell

Manufacturer:

LOC/Precision

(Contributed - by Dan Patell - 10/20/02)

Brief:
A large high-powered rocket that should be considered for a Level 2 certification flight.

Modifications:
Several minor changes were made and are described below.

Construction:
The rocket comes with: A plastic Nosecone, 2 thick paper body tubes, three motor mount tubes, 2 1/4" plywood centering rings, 3 1/4" plywood fins, a Bulkhead assembly, a shockcord(elastic) and a 58" nylon parachute. All parts were of high quality when I bought them (from Ken Allen of Performance Hobbies).

After building many High powered kits, I did not refer to the instructions at all. They looked to be the normal LOC instructions, very precise and short. The parts all fit nicely with little or no sanding. The kit only came with two centering rings, but a rocket of this size really needs three. Also, the 29mm outboard motor mounts were very short, and should be lengthened to at least 9" to allow the use of large motors in the future. The rocket went together like a normal rocket, with through the wall fins. I fiberglassed the fins to the motor mount, which I highly suggest on all rockets 3" in diameter and larger. The only other modifications were to add an electronics bay in the coupler and to extend the Payload bay for more room for the Main Parachute.

I would rate construction a 4 out of 5 because of the 2 centering rings and short 29mm tubes, but both are easily fixed.

Finishing:
Pros: Spirals are small, no need to fill

Cons: Rocket takes A LOT of paint :), nose cone is very rough

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
The first and only flight so far for the Magnum was on a J460T 54mm motor. The rocket was prepped with an RRC2 altimeter in the coupler. The drogue chute was a 30" Spherachute, with a 52" Skyangle Main Parachute. The motor was retained by a pair of Kaplow Klips, and the nose was held on to the Payload bay with two shear pins. The rocket shot off the pad on the Blue Thunder motor to an apogee of 1650', where the drogue chute was deployed. The rocket fell to 500', where the main chute deployed, and the rocket landed less than 500 feet from the pad!!

Recovery:
I replaced the Elastic shock cord with 9/16" mil-spec tubular Nylon, which worked well. Both chutes worked well, but the 52" Skyangle was a little small for the 12 lb. rocket, which resulted in a crease in the lower tube just above the fins. Also, the rocket zippered upon main chute deployment, for unknown reasons. All damage has been repaired.

Pros: extremely stable rocket, nice straight flier

Cons: None, all damage was my fault, and the zipper was not the fault of the rocket

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
Great Rocket!!! It will fly again, next time on a cluster of some sort. I reccomend this rocket to anyone wanting a Level 2 rocket or looking for a good sport rocket that will fly on large I motors to large K motors, with minor modification.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

Other Reviews

LOC/Precision Magnum By Walter Kjellander
( Contributed - by Walter Kjellander - 08/10/02) Brief: The LOC Magnum is single-staged with a main 54mm motor mount and two 29mm outboards. A good rocket for level 2 certification. Construction: The parts were all OK. I was surprised that the slots for the fin tabs had to be cut. The other LOC kits I have done have precut slots, like the Forte, EZI-65, Expediter, LOC IV, Graduator, ...

Flights

Comments:

C.E. (February 1, 2001)

I have made two contacts with the folks at LOC and received good help and quick response in both cases. I am building the Magnum kit right now and agree with your construction assessments so far. I will post a full review when the kit is completed. This is my first LOC kit and the body tubing is very nice to work with.

M.W. (February 1, 2001)

I too, have a Magnum that I built for a Level 2 cert. I have strong overbuilding tendencies so I used a Kevlar® sock (from Giant Leap) with 4oz. fiberglass over it. The fins have 2 layers of 9oz. fiberglass on them. I used a parachute and shock cord from Rocket Rage (thanks Carl!). I used a J415 for the L2 and I plan to fly it on a K55 and then a K700 in the near future. With solid construction and some strengthening, the Magnum should take any motor that will fit inside it. Look at my launch.

C.S. (March 1, 2001)

This really is a wonderful kit from LOC. This kit can easily qualify L2, and with some strengthening, take you the full range of 54 mm motors. The outboard 29's are great, especially with I200's in them. Please get some tubular nylon to use for the recovery system, it is cheap and your can hold a ton on it. I actually wrapped the inside of the tube also with fiberglass to help increase strength. A little overbuilding will go a long way. Now, just special order the centering rings with the 54mm center, 2-38's and 2-29's outboard. What crazy fun!!

S.M. (April 1, 2001)

I have flown my Magnum on K550s and K700s. Check out some details of the construction and flights at my site. I agree with overbuilding so you can fly the big stuff!

J.P. (August 1, 2001)

I think the LOC Magnum 54/29/29mm is a great kit. I have flown mine many times on motors from a 38mm J350 to a 54mm K550. It is very durable. It has crashed twice from no parachute deployment, and it was still ready to fly again. It shredded on a K1100, but after I cut off the front foot of the main body tube and replaced it, the rocket flew again with no problem. I have set mine up for two step deployment with the payload section broken down into an electronics bay and a parachute bay. This is the only way to go with flights to 5,000'. I knew I would want to do airstarts with the two 29mm outboards, so I built it with a small conduit running through the centering rings so that I could run ignition wires from the electronics bay to the rear of the rocket. My only negative comment on the rocket is that when the rocket is flown with just the central motor, the outboard 29mm motor tubes tend to deteriorate from the heat and exhaust of the main motor. If you do not plan to do clusters or airstarts, or if you want a good 54mm rocket that you will fly with just one motor most of the time, I recommend buying a single motor rocket like the LOC Syonic.

A.S. (September 24, 2005)

The LOC Magnum was my first 'huge rocket', back when they first had the foam nosecones. After the loss of that one in the Virginia woods, I purchased a second, and it is built completely stock with the exception of the electronics bay / dual deployment optional . NO added (3rd) centering ring, short outboard tubes,16" payload section has more than enough room above the electronics bay / coupler for a Rocketman R9 chute. this thing has been pounded on, as BRS and other NY club members can attest. Stock 2ring version can survive nearly ANY available 54mm motors, up to and including the K700 (not recommended for Kosdon L1850 or the new Loki L1400). Mine has flown, among others, on J800, J450 Kosdon, and including the Kosdon J1500! Surprisingly, no K motors, that's what I have the K-Load for, I guess. Favorite flights include an I357 plus 2 H238's all ground started, and DPS J700 Yellowjacket motors. In conclusion, the LOC Magnum is a workhorse, and a classic high power kit as well, deserving of a place in anyone?s fleet, and the perfect L2 rocket.

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