LOC/Precision Weasel-29

LOC/Precision - Weasel {Kit} (PK-3)

Contributed by Steve Graham

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Diameter: 1.63 inches
Length: 48.00 inches
Manufacturer: LOC/Precision
Skill Level: 3
Style: Sport

Brief:
Single stage, 14" parachute recovery at apogee using motor ejection.

Construction:
Two airframe BT's (27", 13"), 1.6" LOC nose cone, 3-plywood fins, 2- paper centering rings, LOC-type 29mm motor mount tube (8"long), 1 coupler, bulkhead, and eye screw.

You also receive a length of 1/4" elastic for a shock cord. No decals.

Instructions are straight forward. I always expect good things from Barry. The construction was very simple, with tips on how to beef up your fin joints for higher power flights. No alignment problems. Everything went together very well. Because, I intend to fly mine on H and I motors, I beefed up the fin joints with fiberglass.

Finishing:
No special requirements are needed for the airframe and fins to get it ready to paint. However; with all LOC nose cones, be sure you take extra care in prepping it for paint. I usually sand mine down starting with about 150-grit and progressing up to 600-grit. It makes for a nice smooth finish that will stand up to a lot o abuse.

The only CON I found with this kit is that it doesn't come with decals. I didn't worry about it that much as I just purchased vinyl letters.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
On the day of the flight, I used an Aerotech G64. Since I replaced the shock cord with Kevlar and a chute protector, this made prepping recovery very easy. The rocket lifted off the pad straight and true. With the prevailing winds from the south at our launch site, the rocket ended up drifting down range a bit. Never the less, it was recovered in perfect condition.

Since the trailing edge of the fins are 1 caliber in front of the aft end, the chance of breaking a fin is minimized.

Next, I loaded it with an H128, which gave us a neck snapping launch. Again, the rocket performed flawlessly.

The third flight of the day was with a single use F32 with a 24mm motor adaptor. It wasn't as exciting as the H128. The F32 launched it to a respectible altitude. My shock cord got tangled in the shroud lines. So the rocket flat spinned into the Texas grass. I'm glad I glassed the fins now.

Recovery:
Shock Cord: replaced with Kevlar from Apogee Components.

Parachute: 14" flat panel- rip stop nylon. IMHO, too small. This rocket needs at least a 24" to recover it. I think a 14" was chosen because the fins are situated 1.5" ahead of the aft end of the rocket. Thus, reducing the chance of breaking a fin on landing.

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
I don't have any bad things to say about this rocket. It went together very well and quickly. As I stated above, it needs a larger parachute. And replace the elastic shock cord with Kevlar.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5

Other Reviews
  • LOC/Precision Weasel-29 By Lance Alligood

    Brief: The LOC/Precision Weasel is a simple, near minimum diameter 3FNC MPR that can fly as little as an E or absolutely tear a hole in the time-space continuum on a high thrust H. The Weasel is a basic kit with a minimal number of parts. The kit includes: 1 1.63"d ogive plastic nose cone 1 38mm x 11.5" payload tube 1 38mm x 27" body tube (premarked for fins and launch lug) 1 ...

Flights

Comments:

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R.T.P. (August 10, 2002)
Nice review! I do think though, that the fiberglass was overkill. Given the materials, wood glue would be stronger and lighter. To smooth the fillets, try Fill'n'Finish sanded smooth, then soak with thin CA. Very light and strong.
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S.G. (August 12, 2002)
Since the writing of this review, I have built another Weasel. This time, I built it with minimum diameter 38mm motor mount. I glassed all tubes and fins. There is an altimeter bay in the coupler that houses a Missile Works RRC2. The altimeter bay has bulkheads machined out of T-6 aluminum. (very light compared to wood, but stronger). In the picture, you will notice a chrome tape placed around the aft section behind the fins. My modified version has a machined aluminum collar replacing that tape. (Machined myself) It's machined to go up to just behind the fins. The aft part of the collar has a 3/4" section that is machined to match the ID of the airframe. Is used as a positive platform to support the thrust of the motor as well as motor retention. Plans are in order at the next launch to fly the new Weasel on a J350. RockSim indicates 8900 ft.
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P.C. (June 2, 2005)
This is one bulletproof rocket. I've had some trouble with recovery on two flights, an Ellis Mtn. G35 and an Aerotech G35. In both cases, the 'chute and shock cord tangled badly. On the last flight, the cord snapped in two at the chute attachment point. Payload and booster sections came down free-fall from about 2800', and the only damage was some scratched paint. I have no doubt it could take the Ellis long-burn 29mm I69 and probably tickle 10,000'.

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