LOC/Precision Forte'

LOC/Precision - Forte' {Kit} (PK-32)

Contributed by Neil Thompson

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Diameter: 3.10 inches
Manufacturer: LOC/Precision
Style: Sport

Brief: LOC/Precision Forte
The Forte' is a single staged HPR capable rocket. It can fly on as little as an F up to an H or I, and maybe with a lot of reinforcements, a J350. It is a fairly basic rocket, my second mid-power. I probably could have made it without instructions, it's so easy.

Construction:
It does not have a payload section (Waaaaaaaaahhhhhhh), but I plan on adding one soon. It has a heavy duty cardboard airframe slotted for 4 fins. The fins and the centering rings are plywood. It has an elastic shock cord and a standard through-the-plastic nose cone loop attachment.

There was only one half page of instructions, but it was more that you needed to make the rocket anyway. There was one illustration. The build was easy and it took me a few days of working 1 or two hours a day.

Finishing:
Easy to paint. Just do what is normal.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
Flew straight on a G80-4T, ejection charge not enough to blow chute. some may have leaked. I had a Nomex® blanket to replace wadding. The rocket fell from over 1,000 feet and not a scratch on it after impact. What a tough rocket! I used a home-sewn chute.

Recovery:
I do not know how fast or slow it would have come down if the parachute came out. That flight it came down rather slowly, for a 3 inch diameter rocket with tumble recovery. Very rugged & nice looking. It is one of my new favorites.

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
This is a very rugged rocket. I think the motor tube should be longer, the shock cord could be longer and tougher, and the fins could be larger but it is an easy build, is very inexpensive, and can put in some very impressive flights.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

Other Reviews
  • LOC/Precision Forte' By Alex Rothchild

    This LOC/ Precision Forte is a simple 3.1 inch kit. It has a 38mm motor mount, and can fly on anything from an F25-4 to a J350 with a lot epoxy and fiberglass. It does not have a payload section, and the fins go all the way to the motor mount (thank you LOC). All the parts that came with this kit fit together perfectly and were very sturdy. The parts included: -One main airframe ...

  • LOC/Precision Forte' By Jerry O'Sullivan

    Brief This is a single stage, baffled, glass reinforced model. Construction The kit arrived in a plastic bag containing laser cut 1/8" plywood fins and centering rings, plastic nose cone, elastic shock cord, 24" chute, 29mm motor mount tube, clear concise instructions (on the back of the cardboard label). No decals are included and no paint scheme is suggested, although one can copy the ...

  • LOC/Precision Forte' By Moira Jean Whitlock

    Brief:   Single staged, came with black, 24-inch diameter nylon chute. Has 4 fins. Construction: All parts were there and in good shape.  I didn't get decals, but that's not a problem for me, as I often customize my rockets. The fins (4) are plywood, precut, and are clipped delta shape. The nose cone is hollow plastic, 11 inches long, fitting the standard LOC body tube of 3 ...

Flights

Comments:

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C.B. (May 1, 2001)
I have built two smaller kits by LOC, Aurora and LIL Nuke, and have used their shock cord mounting. However, on this larger kit, I elected to add an extra CR with an eye bolt and mount the shock cord to this. I used window screen clips with t-nuts for motor retention. First flight on F50-6 was good, ejection was just after apogee.Very pleased with this kit as with the smaller ones!I did also use the LOC baffle system with great results. No burned chute. I will build the EZI-65 next for level one certification. This review is fairly accurate. Easy to build, flies straight, and recovers in good shape!
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G.H. (November 7, 2001)
This is the first Kit I have purchased from LOC/Precision. Was not impressed when i noticed that one of the precut slots was off by 1/3 inch.
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G.H. (January 3, 2002)
The body tube had precut slots, one of them was off noticeably. Went together smooth though. Nose cone is a little loose. I added a 9 inch payload section for a wireless camera. Test launches went great carring 2 rolls of pennies in the payload section. (g-80 motor). Now for the camera....

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