It seems to be popular to "trick out" cars to make them look meaner, faster, cooler. Even though a car that is truly "tricked out" is meaner and faster with performance enhancing equipment, however, "tricked out on a budget" is to make a car look meaner and faster, instead.

Rowes Cone Retainers could be considered a way to "trick out" a rocket to make it look meaner, faster, and definitely cooler! They don't add to speed or performance, but they are more than just a pretty ornament. They hold your precious (and expensive) motor cases in place!

My experience is with two of Rowes Retainers; the 24mm Cone Retainer and the standard 29mm Retainer. I have 2 more 24mm Cone Retainer sets on order.

CONSTRUCTION (24mm Cone):

I used the 24mm Cone Retainer on my Fat Cat Rockets Galactic Marauder. This required pre-planning because to attach the 24mm retainer base, there needs to be 1/4" of motor tube exposed. On the Galactic Marauder, the fins and pods are mounted flush with the end of the 24mm motor/body tube, so I had to move everything up 1/4". This shortened the final depth that the tail end would be inserted in to the main body tube.

For a scratch-build or other kits, you will probably not have any trouble adding the 24mm base, just be aware that it needs 1/4" of tube exposed.

To attach the base, I scored the inside to rough up the aluminum surface a bit, I sanded the 24mm motor tube, and then used 15-minute epoxy to put it all in place. No problem. Obviously avoid getting epoxy on the threads.

If you are adding this to a kit, then you will also need to add nose weight to compensate for the extra tail weight.

I painted the base the same color as the rocket. To do this be sure to wrap tape around the threads to keep tape off of them. When all is done, look!

CONSTRUCTION (29mm Standard):

I used the 29mm standard Retainer on another Fat Cat Rocket, the I.P.F.I. Strikeship. The 29mm standard Retainer did not require any pre-planning since it attaches to the rear centering ring of the rocket. NOTE: the rear centering ring needs to be flush with the motor tube end for this retainer to work!

The retainer is very easy to add. Drilling two small holes, screw in the base mount inserts and then screw the retainer on with provided Allen screws.

The anodized red finish makes it stand out on the finished rocket (depending on your color choice).

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

The 24mm Cone Retainer is simple to use in the field. Simply unscrew the cone, insert motor, and screw cone back over. With Aerotech 24mm RMS cases it does not screw down all the way (very close though). It had no problem holding the motors in.

I have used it twice with Blue Thunder motors so there was not much of a flame. I'd love to get a picture with it on a White Lightning motor, but for now I'm on pause because my retainer is hanging in a tree (along with the rocket and my RMS casing)!

The 29mm Retainer requires that you have a small Allen wrench with you to attach or remove the ring. I have used it twice, as well. Once with an F50 Single-use motor and once with an Aerotech 29mm 40/120 RMS casing. It is very easy to work with.

SUMMARY:

My experience make with Rowes Retainers, with the actual product, has been outstanding. A couple other of comments need to be made for full consideration:

First, I got my first set of retainers in approximately two weeks. The second set though... has been over two months! This isn't Rowes, it is the U.K. to U.S. mailing system! I confirmed this with my > 2 month wait for my Caveman MicroHybrid.

Second, "tricked out" cars, and rockets, add expense. The 24mm Base/Cone has a current price of $31.50. The standard 24mm would be $19.50. The standard 29mm Base/Retainer has a current price of $16.50. The Cone version of the 29mm is $34.50.

So, if you really want to make your rocket look meaner, faster and cooler as well as have the functionality of a motor retainer, then Rowes has your answer. This is especially true of Rowes Cone Retainers! I give the two retainers I used an OVERALL rating of 4 ½ points. If would be great to get a U.S. distributor as well as work on getting the price down.... but, hey, if they were cheaper everyone would have a "tricked out" rocket!