Atlantic Rockets IRIS

Atlantic Rockets IRIS

Contributed by Bob Wicker

Rating
(Contributed - by Bob Wicker)

Brief
Standard four fin configuration, with nylon parachute.

Construction
Packaging was standard plastic with enclosed directions and photo of the completed model. All the parts were included and in good shape. The directions are clear and accurate, the model is not difficult, anyone with some experience will have no trouble. It is laid our EXACTLY like the Mountainside Hobbies ASP kit (which are no longer made). I suspect the designed is the same.

Construction is fairly straight forward, I did have some minor difficulties and made some additions. The body came in three cardboard sections. The tube couplers were 'homemade' and did not fit exactly. I had to work with them to get a good even seam, using epoxy to fill the gaps.

The fins are 3/16 balsa and of decent grade. I coated them with CA to make them stiff and seal them for sanding. The fins are surface mounted so I drilled 5 holes along the tube under each fin for the epoxy to seep in to form a 'rivet'.

The 24mm motor mount is 'Estes style' BT50 tubing so I covered it with epoxy to give it extra strength. Recovery is with a very nice nylon parachute, mounted to the engine mount with braided wire and elastic. I don't plan on flying it on anything more then E's and F's so I didn't enhance the body tubing. It is not overly durable but will service those engines just fine.

Except for the CA on the fins I used epoxy for all construction.

Finishing
There are no decals included, but the accompanying picture is sufficient to work off of. I sanded the entire model lightly with a med grade paper, then primed with Krylon. Two coats with light fine grade paper in between and after. I then put down two coats of gloss white, and applied red and black according to the picture. I did not use silver on the nose, I don't like working with metallic paint. I substituted black. It is a fairly big model (I mostly fly Estes/Quest) and looks great.

Construction Rating: 3 out of 5

Flight
I have flown it four times all on Aerotech E's. I did not add a baffle system or chute compartment, so wadding is a must. Three of the four flights have been perfect. It gets off the pad just slow enough to be fun and easy to watch. I also did not install motor retention, I only do on 29mm models for my RMS. Masking tape has proven successful to keep the motor in and secure.

The IRIS flies straight and to about 6-700 feet. On the 3rd flight I did not get the igniter all the way in and had quite a bit of smoking and chaffing before good ignition. The IRIS went to less than 300 feet and nearly lawn darted. The chute opened at about 30 feet, just enough to prevent damage. Lesson learned - make sure the igniter is properly inserted.

Recovery
The recovery system is perfect of the model. The chute is properly sized and wire / elastic combination is forgiving and durable enough to make many successful flights. Drift is minimal and landings are not damaging.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary
Overall the kit is a good value for the money. Easy to build and fly. It is a great kit to get into mid-power rocketry. The kit is a nice flier, has good presence and is not too expensive.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

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