Construction Rating: | starstarstarstar_borderstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstar_borderstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstar_borderstar_border |
Published: | 2010-08-10 |
Manufacturer: | LOC/Precision |
Brief:
Tall 4 inch 3FNC rocket built to be compatible with hybrid motors. I picked this rocket
specifically out of the LOC catalog when I was shopping for my level 2 project. It has a 54mm motor mount, and is
dual-deploy ready. It also comes complete with a drogue and main parachute.
Construction:
In retrospect, this was a very straightforward build for a high power rocket. The instructions were minimalist. It was my level 2 project, and only my second HPR kit. Even with my inexperience, I had no trouble with the instructions. I built mine with sturdy internal fillets and expanding foam (courtesy of PML). I was a little disappointed with the 1/8 in plywood fins. They are pretty flimsy for this size rocket. And mine were warped on arrival. I had to apply a caul to straighten them during assembly (see photo).
The regular paper LOC tubes are plenty sturdy for J launches. It would be very straightforward to glass this project, but not really necessary unless you want to push your luck with the sound barrier (in which case the fins would be the first things to go).
I replaced the elastic recovery harness with tubular nylon from What's Up Hobbies. I never use elastic in HPR.
I added a 54mm Aeropack retainer. I highly recommend these for a classy looking, easy to use, reliable retainer. (No, I don't work for the company).
Finishing:
I did not do any fancy finishing. Just spray paint from ACE Hardware. I originally
painted the nose cone bright orange, but it flaked right off almost immediately. Clearly I have something to learn
about painting these plastic nose cones.
Construction Rating: 3 out of 5
Flight:
My first flight was my Level 2 certification flight on a J350, using a 54-38 Aeropack adapter.
It was also my first dual-deployment. A perfectly good flight. The still picture of the launch is a vidcap from the
launch video. This rocket had many excellent flights, mostly on J motors, all dual deployment, some drogueless.
Recovery:
A couple of hard landings in the desert due to my own failings (coming in under drogue, for
example) led to fin fractures. I was able to repair one, but the second was too catastrophic. Since I had foamed them
in, I could not repair the fin can and had to scrap the rocket.
Flight Rating: 3 out of 5
Summary:
Overall this is a terrific design. A very good level 2 project and a great first dual
deployment rocket. I honestly do not think it is worth the price, especially given the poor quality recovery harness
and too-thin fins. It is fairly easy to build a similar design from scratch, and remedy these shortcomings, for less
money. This kit was actually a major reason I stopped buying HPR kits in general and started scratch building.
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5
The HyperLOC 835 has been designed by LOC Precision to be used as a dual deployment hybrid rocket, primarily for use with Hypertek hybrid motors although it will fly well on solid motors as well. I chose this rocket to use to do my level 2. First because I like the design of the rocket, and secondly because I intend to go down the hybrid route in the future. Essentially I am killing two ...
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