Brief:
The LOC Expediter is a large, hi-power rocket. It is single staged with an airframe reducer from 4 inches -3.1. IT is over five feet long, so it is huge compared to my other rockets.

Construction:
This kit came with basic parts, and I used 5 minute epoxy throughout the entire construction. The parts it came with are:

• -One 3 inch nose cone (plastic)
• -one 14x3 inch payload tube (craft paper)
• -one 4-3.1 airframe reducer (plastic)
• -one preslotted 4 inch main body tube (kraft paper)
• -two 4 inch-54mm centering rings (1/4 inch ply)
• -one 54 mm engine tube (heavy paper)
• -one 48 inch parachute
• -one long 3/4 inch elastic shock cord
• -one 1/2x 6 inch launch lug
• *-one screw eye from ace hardware, and Kevlar® rope

The construction was very similar to most of the rockets I built in the past. I used epoxy for everything. The only mod I used was attaching a Kevlar® string to the top centering ring with a screw eye.

LOC/Precision changed their parts, but not their instructions. They got rid of the fin tabs having to be glued on, and now supply fins with tabs already attached. However, my tabs looked like they were meant to fit a 38mm tube, not a 54mm. I cut off about 3 mm off of each tab, and they fit perfectly!

I then epoxied the motor mount together, and then into the tube. The fit between the rings and tubes was very tight, and I had to sand them down a lot to make them fit properly. The fins went in with no problem, and I made epoxy fillets.

The payload section can be assembled with Elmers white glue if you don’t want to waste epoxy. I used epoxy in mine though. The airframe reducer is a little too loose in the 3.1 inch payload tube. I put some tape on it, and then glued it.

The rocket went together with relative ease except for the fins.

Finishing:
I finished it with a coat of rustoleum automotive primer, and then painted it blue and yellow. The finishing was just like any other rocket, prime, sand, prime, paint, sand, paint. There were no decals, but I don’t like decals anyway. It came out looking great.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
I flew the Expediter on G80-4. Some sites say this will put it up about 600 feet, but RockSim says only around 280. The four second delay was too long. This motor gets it up, but still seems underpowered. The last second and half of coasting were nose down, looking almost disasterous. Finally, the chute popped out. The G80 will get this rocket going, but i would only use it again if it was a very small field or a windy day. An H or I would be great for a large field.

Recovery:
The recovery is on a 48 inch parachute, and a 3/4 inch elastic cord. I have Kevlar® attached to the motor mount, and then attached to the elastic.

Recovery was perfect. The black 'chute is plainly visible in the sky, and it brings it in at a perfect rate. On the G80 it landed about 20 yards from the pad.

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
I think that this is a great rocket kit, but only get it if you have previous rocket experience. It is not a good beginner kit. The PROS are: big rocket, very nice looking, and ease of most of the construction.

The Cons are only the fins, and having to be cut to make them fit right.

Once the fin tab issue with this kit is fixed, it deserves a 5 out of 5. Also, the instructions need to match the kit's parts, so this was another let down about the kit. However, anyone with basic rocket building techniques should have no problem assembling this kit.

Overall Rating: 3½ out of 5

Other:
I diddnt learn any tips from building this rocket, but onyl to havbe A LOT of epoxy before starting. I ran really low after making the fillets.