Vaughn Brothers Javelin

Vaughn Brothers - Javelin {Kit}

Contributed by Ralph W. Strauser

Construction Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: Vaughn Brothers

Brief:  This is a nice mid-power kit. I used it for my L1 cert. A single stage bird that recovers via 'chute

Construction:  This kit is pretty straight forward. It was the first HP type kit that I had built so I did not understand the instructions real well at first in regards to the "LOC-type" attachment in the body tube for the shock cord mounting. Other than that the kit goes together easily and is well suited for the beginner. The through-the-wall fin mount allows for ease of alignment of the fins. The parts of the kit were all in good shape and fit properly one to another.

Finishing:  The kit is the basic rocket shape so finishing can be a breeze. With a little more time and effort I could have removed the "spiral" that we see so often in kits where the paint is just sprayed on after the body assembly is completed.

Construction Rating:   3 out of 5

Flight:  I flew this puppy on a H grade motor every time. the flights were Clean and straight. I used approximately 4 handfuls of the gray insulation for heat shield for the 'chute it worked well. With both single use and reloadables motor retention can be accomplished with tape for the SUs or Kaplow type kits for the reloadable. Both are easy to incorporate into the airframe.

Recovery:  The only headache with flight recovery is that the bird is light enough that it will drift quite a distance on the stock chute. I would suggest trying it with stock and then maybe downsizing one size to reduce those long walks

Flight Rating:   3 out of 5

Summary:  Over all a very good Kit. Perfect for the beginner and an acceptable quick build for the more experienced builder.

Overall Rating:   4 out of 5

Other Reviews
  • Vaughn Brothers Javelin By Ed Sewall

    The Javelin is a single stage 29mm rocket with a nice sleek 3 fin design. The Javelin comes with a nice set of directions and LOC-type 2.56" tubes, 62" total length. Three G-10 fins for through-the-wall construction are provided. The rocket has a good size payload section which could easily house an altimeter although I didn't build it that way. Plywood bulkheads and centering rings are ...

Flights

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