The Launch Pad ASRAAM

The Launch Pad - ASRAAM {Kit} (K003)

Contributed by Larry Brand

Diameter: 2.60 inches
Manufacturer: The Launch Pad
Skill Level: 3
Style: Scale

Rocket PicBrief:
ASRAAM is a scale kit by The Launch Pad that models a prototype of a thrust-vectored air-to-air missile. As such, it sports a set of dinky fins that suggest not too much of a stability margin. In fact, ASRAAM is not only exceptionally stable in flight, but is an excellent, easy-building sport flyer, and a good choice for a first cluster model (it uses a pair of 24mm motors). Surprisingly, flight is acceptable with only a single D12 firing, and this further recommends ASRAAM as a "starter" cluster model.

Construction:
The model construction is straight-forward, 4FNC. I decided from to outset to build it as a sport-flyer rather than scale, so I made a number of changes, the main one being to extend the 24 mm motor tubes to accommodate a pair of E9-6's or (with a spacer) the intended D12's. Because of the added weight of the former, I determined that 35g nose weight would be needed when E9's are flown. In the event, I found ASRAAM to fly so well on D12-7's that I haven't gotten around to trying the E9's. Simulation indicates an altitude of 1200-1300' on E9-6's.


Rocket Pic

The other changes I made for sport flying (see photo) are the following:

  1. A added 1/64 inch plywood doublers to one side of each of the 4 fins cut out from the rather soft balsa provided.
  2. I attached each fin to the hull between two 1 1/8" lengths of balsa triangle stock for support; this also makes assembly a snap (I used 5-minute epoxy throughout).
  3. I mounted the aft centering ring flush with the end of the body tube (in the "normal" fashion), instead of recessing it an inch and a half forward as the plans call for. This can only improve performance.
  4. I skipped the baffle provided with the kit, because I don't like baffles.
  5. I anchored the recovery system through the upper hull with a knot covered with epoxy and a fairing cut from a cigar tube.
  6. I used a 14" LOC chute on 8' of para cord as the recovery system (photo).

Finishing:
Since this was a sport model, I finished it simply with one coat of flat gray aircraft primer, after coating the fins with balsa sealer.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Rocket PicFlight:
Thus far, I have flown ASRAAM exclusively on Estes D12-7's. This is not the delay recommended by the manufacturer, but that is what I have used, and ejection is right at apogee, about 700' or so.

On the third flight, only one D12-7 lit, and the climb was still so straight that I didn't realize immediately that something was wrong. Acceleration was slower, with a slight wobble, with apogee at about 350-400'.

ASRAAM wallowed on its side momentarily, and descended in a slow flat spin, with chute ejection at a good 150' off the ground. So even with long delay D12-7's, a safe recovery occurs if one engine fails to ignite. This is the mark of a good cluster design. I expect a similar happy result would be less likely with E9 power, so I've stuck with D12's.

Recovery:
For our island launch site, we tend to use the smallest chute possible, but even with the 14" LOC system, no damage has occurred on landing.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
In summary, this is a great flying kit, contrary to what its odd appearance (the dinky fins) might suggest. All the parts are there and work, and the the changes I made were really done with an eye toward sport flying vs. scale. Performance is outstanding, especially on a single motor. My recommendation for power is the D12-7, at least with the modifications I made.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

Other Reviews
  • The Launch Pad ASRAAM By Joe Cacciatore (June 1, 2011)

    Brief: Dual "D" engine scale model of the UK/Germany Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM). This Launch Pad rocket is exactly like all the other TLP kits. The Kit contains: Plastic nose cone Cardboard body tubes (2) Balsa fins Shock cord attachment & engine mounting the same as the older Estes rockets. Parachute is purple mylar. The quality of the parts ...

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