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Looks like the kit is available for sale now...
https://locprecision.com/collections/new-in/products/force-ten
https://locprecision.com/collections/new-in/products/force-ten
Looks like the kit is available for sale now...
https://locprecision.com/collections/new-in/products/force-ten
Why do you prefer the PML cones? I like both but curious on your reasoning.These are cool kits, but they will be that much more cool if/when LOC can get the PML style fiberglass nosecones back online and offer them either as an option when you buy the kit or as a separate purchase. I would love to move a couple of my kits over to the FG nosecone and will do so as soon as they are available. If this kit came with the nosecone that @ECayemberg used in this build build post, I would order one right now.
Why do you prefer the PML cones? I like both but curious on your reasoning.
I feel the same.Well, for one thing, I think I have 6 or 7 of the 7.5" plastic nosecones hanging around, most of them have been converted to the RNWS, so I don't really want/need yet another plastic nosecone setup. I do have a couple of the 11.4" PML FG nosecones, but, somehow, I never bought one of the 7.5" PML glass cones. The other things that is cool about them is that they are a completely different ogive profile (looks like 5:1 vs 3:1 to my untrained eye?) than the plastic ones and longer, so they make a different rocket style.
At the end of the day, I guess I am just looking forward to having the option to fly/design my 7.5" LOC rockets with either style of NC.
The glass PML cones are almost back... almost available. There were some dramas with the PML mold(s) for the larger cones. If you want a Force Ten and need a glass cone, I guarantee one will be available one way or the other SOON!These are cool kits, but they will be that much more cool if/when LOC can get the PML style fiberglass nosecones back online and offer them either as an option when you buy the kit or as a separate purchase. I would love to move a couple of my kits over to the FG nosecone and will do so as soon as they are available. If this kit came with the nosecone that @ECayemberg used in this build build post, I would order one right now.
Let's bring this thing up to speed. My Force Ten build was indeed a quick build, and indeed it has flown successfully already; my typing finger just didn't keep up! Shame on me, but here we are and here we go!!!
Motor mount assembly
The components of the motor mount are laid out and the aft two rings tacked in place with 5 minute epoxy. Based on the length of the motor mount, the forward ring ended up in the coupler tube (note the production version uses a slightly shorter motor tube). The stiffy was cut to length to place the forward ring ~1/4" shy of the end of the tube.
View attachment 648742
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The forward centering ring is prepped with the dual U-bolts for anchoring the Y-harness. Epoxy on the nuts makes a rocketman feel secure.
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I epoxied the forward ring into the Coupler/Stiffy combo. This will be epoxied into the booster tube once the rest of the motor mount assembly is in place.
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...To be continued...more timely this time!
Agreed. Though it may be possible to use components from other MMAS rockets (like the Loc VII) instead...may or may not be an easy swap out from your friends at Loc.I have been wondering how difficult it would be to modify this kit for an MMAS setup... Looks like it may require some significant re-engineering...
Thanks for the MMT pics!
Agreed. Though it may be possible to use components from other MMAS rockets (like the Loc VII) instead...may or may not be an easy swap out from your friends at Loc.
Negative, sir. That was Force Ten #1, from Balls 2023 on a Gary Dickinson N motor. Didn't quite survive the burn; changes were made incorporated into this one and production versions. Spoiler alert: put a Stiffy in every coupler!Cool kit. I saw the recent social media post of the flight on a red motor at what appears to be Black Rock. Eric, was that your flight?
If you want to bond anything in the nose cone, the PML ones are far superior to the plastic ones. This is the Goblin nose cone I built in 2010. Main goes in the 6" tube. The body is available for all motor. A N will fit. Flight on 98/15360 N800:Well, for one thing, I think I have 6 or 7 of the 7.5" plastic nosecones hanging around, most of them have been converted to the RNWS, so I don't really want/need yet another plastic nosecone setup. I do have a couple of the 11.4" PML FG nosecones, but, somehow, I never bought one of the 7.5" PML glass cones. The other things that is cool about them is that they are a completely different ogive profile (looks like 5:1 vs 3:1 to my untrained eye?) than the plastic ones and longer, so they make a different rocket style.
At the end of the day, I guess I am just looking forward to having the option to fly/design my 7.5" LOC rockets with either style of NC.
Hey, I resemble that!Whatta monster…I mean…the kit
How soon? I would love a glass nosecone on my Skinwalker build!The glass PML cones are almost back... almost available. There were some dramas with the PML mold(s) for the larger cones. If you want a Force Ten and need a glass cone, I guarantee one will be available one way or the other SOON!
I don't have an exact timeframe, but I do know that the primary mold had a damaged tip, and that there's an effort to repair the tip asap...just need some free time to do so. Additionally, a second mold has been secured; just needs a few surface blemishes cleaned up.How soon? I would love a glass nosecone on my Skinwalker build!
Recovery
After a great boost to nearly 2 miles, twin Missileworks RRC's deployed the laundry on cue. Not mentioned earlier, but the recovery gear is fairly standard...a section of 30' tubular nylon on the booster with strategic nomex protectors, and a section of 25' tubular nylon for the payload/main. #4-40 shear pins used for both the booster/apogee (to prevent drag separation), and on the nose/main (to prevent early main deployment). Charge wires go directly to the altimeters, arming of the electronics is accomplished via twist and tape. About as simple, plain Jane as one can go; I'm a fan of K.I.S.S., but I respect those that like to go fancy!
Preflight, we discussed that the only corn in the surrounding fields was to the north, and that the vast majority of the rockets being flown were landing far south of the corn. However, I've had a rough streak of poor landing areas as of late, so I predicted that the likelihood of me finding the lone corn in the area was pretty good. The main deployed at 1000' AGL, with backup charge visible at 800'. Rocket was just north of us and appeared to be destined for a cleared field landing.
View attachment 653810
But that's a big rocket, and a 12' main chute, so looks can be deceiving. Sure enough, it landed in the corn. After some effort, the monster was located in the corn; thanks to Randy Lutz for the photo of YYZ from his drone!
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More corny photos:
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If you've ever landed a rocket in corn, you know that recovery can be challenging! It takes effort to find the rocket, getting it untangled from cornstalks and reassembled to remove from the field can be interesting, carrying the thing out of the corn is always difficult, and the entire time one needs to be conscious that you're in a farmer's crop, their livelihood that they depend on, so treading lightly and minimizing damage to the crops must be top priority. Flying rockets on their land is a privilege, not a right!
Walked the YYZ out of the corn and then helped Randy find his Green Dark Star that flew right after the YYZ and landed maybe 100 yards away, but deeper in the corn. Funny story, later in the day I flew a Dynacom Tarantula on an M1315W....and ended up deep in the same corn field... okay it wasn't so funny then! The children of the corn were calling!
Fantastic build thread as always. Sorry if I missed an earlier explanation, but why the 'Hyperloc YYZ' moniker not 'Force Ten'..? Was it to hide the prototype's true identity prior to the official product launch..?
Definitely; I'm referencing the Rush song YYZ which is in reference to the Toronto airport (YYZ)!Maybe Toronto-related?
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