Tower Launcher

[JSP]

Does anyone know of anyone who sells these? I've seen a few come and go through the years. My homebrew one is long gone (long, tragic story) and I'd like to have one without all the trouble of building it.... :rolleyes:

[ghrocketman]

I don't know of anyone commercially selling these nowadays.....towers and piston launchers were popular for competition back in the golden age, but there is little market for them now.
The number of competitions vs. sport launches is DRAMATICALLY lower than at it's high point of the 70's or even the early 80's.

[JSP]

I actually just wanted one because I hate sticking launch lugs on scale models....
I was big into competition in the 80's, but not now.

[barone]

If you're talking about something similar to the Medalist towers used for competitions, no one makes them any more. I'm on a waiting list for one (if they decide to start making them again) with BMS. They're good if your scale birds are three finned. Four finned, you may want to make one. I seen a home made version (Chad Ring's) that was made from aluminum tubing inside a wood frame. Used threaded rods to adjust the guides in and out. Didn't look too difficult to make, but I haven't made one yet :rolleyes:

Don
NAR 53455

[JSP]

Yeah, the one I built was made of 10 inch inside diameter PVC rings, Electric conduit and adjustable bolts. I mounted it on an old telescope tripod. It got me through many competitions, but went missing about 15 years ago. I drew up the plans for the launcher for the club newsletter, so I still have them. The trick is coming up with the rings....still, I guess it can be a fun project.....kind of...... :rolleyes:

[barone]

.......The trick is coming up with the rings....still, I guess it can be a fun project.....kind of...... :rolleyes:

They sell sewer pipe at Lowe's. I think up to 15" diameter. Shortest length you can get though is 13' (I think :confused: ). Sounds like a good project. If you still have the plans, mind scanning and sending to me? I don't care much for launch lugs on scale models either. :D

Don
NAR 53455

[JSP]

Ok, here are the plans. As you see, they're much more guidelines than step by step instructions, but they should help. Good luck!

[JSP]

Er...let's try that again....
They were a little too big so I had to zip them....

[barone]

Er...let's try that again....
They were a little too big so I had to zip them....

I can't seem to open them. What program does it use?

Don
NAR 53455

[JSP]

I used Winzip 10....

[JSP]

Ok, I reduced the resolution. It's harder to read, but it fits.... :rolleyes:

[barone]

Thanks. I didn't have any problem unzipping but it was showing a data base file and I had no program to open it with. But I think I can work off this jpg's.

Don
NAR 53455

[JSP]

Ok. If you can't make anything out, just let me know...

[barone]

Came out great. Thanks. Guess I'll need to try to build one for the next contest year. Haven't needed one yet. Been competing at the Launch Crue's regionals. I'm not much of a threat so they let me launch out of the club's tower. :)

Don
NAR 53455

[Ltvscout]

Er...let's try that again....
They were a little too big so I had to zip them....
You did something wrong. ;) All that's in the zip is a thumbs.db file.

[JSP]

That figures...do you need me to try again?

[barone]

That figures...do you need me to try again?

I can read off the jpg's okay. Thanks.

Don
NAR 53455

[Ltvscout]

That figures...do you need me to try again?
Attach the original higher res scans to me in email. If it's ok with you I'll get them posted to the Accessories section of BARCLONE the next time I make an update there.

Send them to scotth at execpc dot com.

[JSP]

That's cool. I know this is probably a silly question, but what's your e-mail? Thanks!

[Ltvscout]

That's cool. I know this is probably a silly question, but what's your e-mail? Thanks!
It's in my last message. ;) I just wrote it out so that spambots can't get it.

[JSP]

Ohhhh...
That's what I get for not reading carefully. I was kind of running out the door. I'll send em right awy! :)