LaunchPad ALARM
- Length:
- 111cm / 44"
- Diameter:
- 64mm / 2.52"
- MMT:
- 1x 24mm
- Status:
- Crashed
Comments:
The ALARM is a scale model from a company called The Launchpad which is reknowned for its extensive range of scale model missiles. I bought this from Rockets and Things in 1999, along with the Seawolf kit, also from The Launchpad. These were my two first real attempts at scale rocketry, with the exception of my trusty Estes Black Brant II.
The Launchpad kits fit into that range of mid-power rocketry, where Estes D motors will only just suffice, but Aerotech E-F motors really bring the rocket to life. The ALARM has a single 24mm motor-mount, and the recommended motors are D12-3, and Aerotech E15/E18/E30/24. I've flown it on Estes D12-3, and I'd say that it is a little underpowered, especially if you have added noseweight, and remembering that it has a lot of forward fin area.
The instructions are very detailed, and they need to be, because this kit is somewhat more detailed than an Estes kit. Components are a mix of Estes tubing and nosecones (or very similar interchangable products), and The Launchpad's own motormount assembly. The centering rings are heavy duty paper discs, which at first glance would seem a bit flimsy, but they are more than adequate for the thrust involved.
For the nosecone, you need to make a conical tip from paper soaked with CA. This changes the profile of the included Estes nosecone to be much pointier. You will need to take a lot of care in getting this step right. The boat-tail is made in exactly the same way, by forming paper into a conical section and soaking with CA to strengthen it. This can be very fiddly, and takes some time and patience to get it right. Also make sure you use do the CA stage in a very well ventilated area, preferably outdoors.
The first flight was at UKRA 2000 at Garlands, on a D12-3. Unfortunately, the motor CATOed and blew a hole in the nosecone which warped into a strange shape when hit by the hot ejection charge particles. To make matters worse, this rocket was being filmed, and features in the Time Out - Follow Your Dream video clip to the tune of Steptoe and son! For info, it is the 2nd rocket to leave the pad, after James MacFarlane's Gyroc. It was still naked - well it had primer, but not the red topcoat. I recommend you watch that clip through to the end, where Ben Jarvis' Primary Koncern features.
The rocket was rebuilt for IRW 2000 with a new nosecone thanks to Caveman Rocketry in the Netherlands. Again it flew on an Estes D12-3, but I think the added weight of the repairs made it just too heavy for that motor. It never really got enough speed to fly stable until it tipped horizontal. Sadly then it crashed into the ground.
I have procured the parts to repair it, but it really will need at least an E15 or E30 to fly properly, but these are in short supply right now.
Simulation:
Rocksim Simulation Results are available for this rocket. These results have been automatically generated from the Rocksim file.
Flight Log:
| Flt. | Date | Location | Motor(s) | Impulse | Recovery | Comments |
| 1 | Jul 2000 | UKRA | D12-3 | 20 Ns | Loc Nylon 'chute | CATO (made it onto TV too!) |
| 2 | Aug 2000 | IRW | D12-3 | 20 Ns | Mylar 'chute | Made people duck! |
© 1995-2005 A.S.Moore. All Rights Reserved.
