Aerotech Mantis Launch Pad, Finished

This is a large impressive launcher and can be used with 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4" launch lug models.

This picture shows the Swing Arm when it is released from the "T" piece on the Launch Angle Control Assembly.

This heavy tube piece can be placed under the center of the black Base piece. It supports heavier rockets.

Tomorrow - 

Start of the Estes Super Mars Snooper build!

Aerotech Mantis Launch Pad, Part 6, Final Adjustments

The four legs were taped together for shipping. 

The tape left some sticky gum, Goo-gone removed it with a paper towel.

With the two sides of the Adapter Disk together, I couldn't easily slide the 1/4" Launch Rod through and down into the Swing Arm base.

I opened up the rod slot with some 220 grit wrapped around the launch rod. Don't take off to much - you will want to keep a fairly tight fit.

Looking at the middle of the Swing Arm, notice the Launch Rod slides down through the middle and rests at the bottom of the assembly.

The leg holders have raised nubs for a friction fit when the legs are slid in.

My fit was a bit too tight so I filed down the raised dots. File, test the fit and file a bit more until the friction fit is workable.

Aerotech Mantis Launch Pad, Part 5, Assembly & Legs

Notice the "T" arm on the Launch Angle Control piece. 

It snaps into the the upward side Snap Locks on the Swing Arm Assembly.

There are two sets of Snap Locks, one on each side. If over time a Snap Lock were to break, you can turn around the Swing Arm Assembly and use the other side.

Notice how the bottom of the angled Blast Deflector slides into the tabs on the Swing Arm.

The Caution Sticker goes on the bottom face of the Deflector.

The white Support tube will raise the rocket above the blast deflector.

The End Caps slide into the outside open end of the four Legs.

The edges of the legs were a little rough.

I smoothed over the ends with a metal file and polished with some 220 grit sandpaper.

Aerotech Mantis Launch Pad, Part 4, Rod Adapter Disk & Support Arms

Here's the two sides of the Adapter Disk.

Notice the round slots for a 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4" launch rods.

There are two pins. With the pins aligned, all launch rod slots will correctly align.

Do not glue the Adapter Disks together.

Here's the outside surface of the disk assembly, slid into the top of one side of the Swing Arm.

Align the 1/4" hole with the round slot running through the top of the swing arm. 

The two sides of the Swing Arms are screwed together using the two 1 75" long bolts, small washers and wing nuts.

Slide the large Support Arms into the side flange  of the Swivel Head. The instructions say to use some plastic cement on the bottom of the Support Arm.

The Arms are screwed into the Swivel Head using the two 1/2" long Screws.

Aerotech Mantis Launch Pad, Part 3, Leg Holders & Center Bolt

The four leg holders snap into the Slide Tabs on the extensions.

Slide towards the center until they snap into place.

In the left side picture - notice the friction fit bumps. Those will have to be trimmed later for the aluminum legs to tightly slide in.

The long 5" bolt gets a large washer. This ends up on the top of the launcher body.

A Ribbed Disk is slid on followed by a round Steel Disk.

In the right side picture - This assembly is slid into the top of the black Swivel Head. 

Flipping everything over - this is the bottom of the launcher Base piece.

The second Steel Disk is slid over the bolt, followed by the second ribbed disk.

Screw on the largest Wing Nut. Tighten the nut, but don't overtighten.

Aerotech Mantis Launch Pad, Part 2, Launch Angle Mechanism

The plastic "trees" are thick. Don't just twist to separate the pieces. I'd recommend using a fine tooth razor saw for cutting. Don't cut right at the edge of the piece, leave a "nub"-

to be trimmed off with a sharp knife.

There is some plastic flash on the Control Wheel.

This was easily cleaned off using a small rat tail file.

Here's an illustration from the instructions to better show how the Launch Angle Mechanism goes together.

While the instructions mention using "cement" to glue the two halves together, I used Beacon Fabri-Tac.

Don't get any glue on the rod or wheel, the center assembly must be able to easily turn after the glue dries.

I used rubber bands to hold it together while the glue dried.
 

Aerotech Mantis Launch Pad, Part 1, Parts

Two of these plastic trees are included.

These are big and the plastic is thick!

There are two support arms, 

two sides of the swing arm assembly,

two ribbed disks,

and launch angle control pieces.

On the lower right are one of four leg holder pieces.

Two parts of the swivel base.

Two steel disks

and the Blast Deflector.

This reminds me of the old Centuri style angled deflector.

Plenty of hardware.

The white tube is a rocket supporter, it raises the model a few inches above the deflector.

Two small squares are cord clips.

The four black squares are the leg caps.

The heavy tube cylinder is a launcher support when heavy rockets are used. It slips under the base of the launcher.

A 1/4" two piece launch rod is included. The rod screws together.

Four 18" long aluminum legs.