Showing posts with label The Launch Pad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Launch Pad. Show all posts

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Launch Pad Inventory Sold To Estes?

From the Rocketry Forum:
"Pleased to announce that The Launch Pad has moved to its new home, with Estes in Penrose Colorado. They will be making the rest of the original TLP inventory available on their website, and they will be integrating the TLP designs into their product line. I think Chuck would have been pleased to see his life's work carried on by Estes."

I have no other information. There is lots of speculation on how these kits and parts will be sold or if Estes may produce kits from the scale data. The kits may just be sold as is - probably at collector's prices.


I've only built and finished one Launch Pad kit, the Pershing. 
You can see the build in reverse order: CLICK HERE

Saturday, January 10, 2015

TLP Pershing #K046 Build, Part 1 Parts


Here's the big one, the The Launch Pad PERSHING MGM-31A.
It's about the same size as the old Estes Maxi-Brute Pershing at 39.75" tall. 
The Estes kit was 41" tall, BT-101 at 3.938" diameter.

Lots of parts, balsa strips and nine centering rings.
Below the nose cone are the two nose cone washer weights.
There is no engine block, the model uses Aerotech engines with the rear centering ring.



The body tubes from left to right:
12" BT-60
6" BT-80
12" BT-80
21.25" BT-100
The first picture shows the 2.75" long BT-50 engine mount tube.

The Estes kit used a blow molded nose cone.
This long nose cone is formed with card stock shrouds.
There are three shroud pieces topped by a conical balsa nose cone.
The shrouds were rolled up in the large tube.


There are plenty of card stock templates.
The upper square fins are card stock over built up balsa stringers.
On the lower right is the tri-fold shock cord mount.


This is a Mylar parachute, a six sided oblong shape.
Dimensions are 18" wide by 30" long.