LOC Precision Aura

[samtherocketeer]

Hi there

This may sound like a really gormless question but here goes. The nose cone for this rocket won't fit in snug with the main airframe BT and gaffer tape, as with other rockets, won't work too well either. Now, I have noticed that along with the plastic seams that I have sanded off the nosecone there are two sets of three plastic lines on either side of the nosecone shoulder - these are aligned with two others, on each side, on the exposed nose cone. Are these for filling with something to create some hold in the main tube or am I barking up the worng tree and they are in fact just useless pieces of plastic?

Any other suggestions?

Would be most appreciative of any help you can offer.

[tbzep]

If the cone is too loose, just keep wrapping masking tape until it's snug enough not to wobble. Sounds like it may take quite a bit of tape. I think the lines you are describing are just lines from the mold. I've never seen an Aura in person, but I believe it's just a typical 3FNC mid power kit with a standard nosecone.

[Green Dragon]

the three lines - if you are refering to the rings around the cone shoulder ? , are indeed for help fitting the cone snug, they should generally be loose, and might need some sanding to be a good slipfit..

I;ve built and flown many LOC biords, including a pair of Laser-Loc 1.5 and one Aura, and have not had one sloppy fitting cone yet.. sounds like possibly a bad molding, might be worth contacting Barry at LOC and inquiring for a replacement.
Worst case you might need a few wraps of tape for a snug fit in the tube.

[samtherocketeer]

Thanks guys. Green Dragon, I thought that was probably the case - 3 thin lines of plastic with a ring around them. Anyway, have contacted LOC but bought the rocket elsewhere so don't know whether I will have any luck.
Many thanks for the replies anyhow.

[samtherocketeer]

Incidentally, damn shame, the launch lug is slightly damaged - I have another one 6.5mm but the length is 3/4 inch shorter...will this make any difference?

[AKPilot]

No offense to you Sam, but why is this posted under Rocket Doctor's area? This area's primarily intended for Rocket Doctor to answer our question or discuss his products/experiences from Estes. I'm sure he can answer your questions about the Aura, like many of us though.

[samtherocketeer]

My apologies if this is in the wrong place.
:o

[tbzep]

Incidentally, damn shame, the launch lug is slightly damaged - I have another one 6.5mm but the length is 3/4 inch shorter...will this make any difference?

What is the total undamaged length and where is it supposed to be located on the rocket? If it is still around two inches long or better and mounted on the CG it is probably ok, at least for 24mm motors. If the lug is located away from the CG, a longer one (or two shorter ones spaced apart) is needed to help keep it from tilting and binding on the rod.

If you are uncomfortable with the length of the single lug at the CG, use two short lugs spaced several inches apart. On small rockets, they can be as short as 1/4", tapered at both ends for about 1/8" in the loop. With yours able to handle 29mm motors, I'd leave them at least 3/8" to 1/2" long, spaced several inches apart.

[Green Dragon]

the original LOC Aura used one long lug ( about 6" long ) placed at the center / CG .

if the lug is damaged, or even if not, what I liek to do is cut and use two shorter lugs spcaed apart.

say 1 or 1 1/2" lengths - on about 1/4" from the rear, and the other aprox where the front of the kit lug would have been .

my builtup Aura has the one long lug, but it does tend to 'rock' a little on the rod, being just in the center of the bird.

( should have brought that to NARAM for one last H50 flight, lol )

~ AL

[tbzep]

Not to mention, a pair of double beveled lugs look much slicker than a big long honkin single lug. ;)

[Doug Sams]

If you are uncomfortable with the length of the single lug at the CG, use two short lugs spaced several inches apart. On small rockets, they can be as short as 1/4", tapered at both ends for about 1/8" in the loop. With yours able to handle 29mm motors, I'd leave them at least 3/8" to 1/2" long, spaced several inches apart.I wholeheartedly agree that, with few exceptions, launch lugs should always be beveled. Square cut lugs just scream, "SLOW" :D

And Tim is dead nuts on about splitting them in two. Even fairly long lugs can bind on the rod in a cross wind, or at least scrub off lots of impulse as the rocket climbs the rod resulting in weathercocking. But two short lugs - one aft and one midway up or farther - are far enough apart that binding drag is negligible. Most stock lugs split in two will work well, and in cases such as the Big Bertha, can be split in four leaving enough pieces for a 2nd rocket (although I prefer to upgrade Berthas to 1/4" lugs).

My NSHO :)

Doug

.

[barone]

I wholeheartedly agree that, with few exceptions, launch lugs should always be beveled. Square cut lugs just scream, "SLOW" :D......
.
Yeah, but if you think about it, beveling the end creates more surface area........hhmmmmm.....seems like it might make an intersting R&D :rolleyes:

[Doug Sams]

Yeah, but if you think about it, beveling the end creates more surface area........hhmmmmm.....seems like it might make an intersting R&D :rolleyes:They're toys. It's not about drag - looks is what matters :)

Doug

.

[barone]

They're toys. It's not about drag - looks is what matters :)

Doug

.
LOL...yeah, I figured that was where you were coming from. Folks concerned about drag will use a tower......right Steve? ;)

[tbzep]

Besides...the Astron Sprint called for double beveled lugs. If it says Astron, it has to be the gospel. :p

[samtherocketeer]

Thanks for all the replies - the lug I have used in the end is a 1/4inch supplied by Apogee and is only around 3/4 of an inch shorter than the damaged one in the kit. It also has a considerably thinner outside wall. The lug is located in exactly the same place as the markings suggest - presume at CG - but am flying 29mm motors (Aerotech F50).

Hope this will be okay.

[pantherjon]

It will go out of sight, trust me!:rolleyes: I have a LOC Aura and every time I have launched it it has gone out of sight..'Whoosh'..Where'd it go? Also every time I have flown mine it has popped a fin..First 2 flights it was the same fin..Beefed up it's attachment, then last flight at NSL it popped the other 2 fins!

It IS a neat little rocket tho..I would suggest an 'E' for your first flights ;) Just simmed it in RockSim on an F50 and it shows it going to 2766!:eek: An E16 will take it to 'only' 1245..

Also, with my experiences with the fins getting popped off, I would suggest replacing the streamer with a small parachute..

Have fun!

[tbzep]

Thanks for all the replies - the lug I have used in the end is a 1/4inch supplied by Apogee and is only around 3/4 of an inch shorter than the damaged one in the kit. It also has a considerably thinner outside wall. The lug is located in exactly the same place as the markings suggest - presume at CG - but am flying 29mm motors (Aerotech F50).

Hope this will be okay.

That should make it around 5" long, so it should do fine. Let'er rip!

[samtherocketeer]

Not quite TBZEP - the lug that came with this kit was just over 3 1/2 inches long, unlike the original that someone mentioned, and the lug I have used is just under 3 inches.

....?

Thanks PantherJohn, I initially was going to fly her with a small 12 inch parachute, then changed my mind to the streamer provided, then...?

[tbzep]

Not quite TBZEP - the lug that came with this kit was just over 3 1/2 inches long, unlike the original that someone mentioned, and the lug I have used is just under 3 inches.

....?

Thanks PantherJohn, I initially was going to fly her with a small 12 inch parachute, then changed my mind to the streamer provided, then...?

I would have cut it in half and used one at the rear and the other at the CG or midpoint of the BT, but if it seems like it isn't going to bind, it'll probably be ok.

[samtherocketeer]

What about a smaller lug at the rear end as well, say an inch or so at the rear as wellas the near 3 inches already epoxied on the CG?

[tbzep]

What about a smaller lug at the rear end as well, say an inch or so at the rear as wellas the near 3 inches already epoxied on the CG?

That would work.