The biggest 1-pounder available!
DynaStar's GRAPPLER is BIG,
But it is Great For Small Fields
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Kit Specifications:
Skill Level 2: Previous Experience Suggested
Length: 45.0" (114.3 cm)
Diameter: 2.600" (66 mm)
Weight (without motor): 10.0 oz (283.5 gm)
Recovery Method: 32 inch plastic parachute
ORDER This Kit NOW! Just click on the "Own It Today" button below.
DynaStar Grappler Rocket Kit
P/N: 05032
Price: $45.31
Note: There is a $2.00 freight surcharge due to the large size of the shipping carton, and the additional cost of postage.
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Recommended Motors: See Chart Below.
Grappler's Predicted Altitude (From RockSim)
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Motor
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Manufacturer
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Altitude
(feet)
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Altitude
(meters)
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Estes
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90.9
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27.72
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Estes
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290.4
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88.50
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Aerotech
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1074.6
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327.53
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Aerotech
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1090.6
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332.40
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Aerotech
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960.2
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292.67
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Aerotech
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987.1
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300.86
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Aerotech
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1051.2
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320.39
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Aerotech
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1298.3
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395.73
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Aerotech
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1253.6
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382.08
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Important Note: DO NOT use the Estes E9-4 in this rocket. It doesn't have enough thrust to safely lift this bigger rocket.
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See the video below for help in selecting rocket motors. Rocket motors are sold separately from the kit. If you are unsure which one to pick, start with the one recommended for the First Flight, and then another for a more impressive launch. Most motors listed in this chart are available through Apogee Components. For other motors that are not listed here, download the RockSim file to see if it will work in this rocket kit. See also Technical Publication #28 for guidance on selecting appropriate rocket engines other than those listed in this chart. If you don't already have Technincal Publication #28, give us a call, and we'll be happy to let you download it free (you have to ask though). |
Are you looking for a big rocket that you can launch from just about any small launch field? Then the DynaStar Grappler is the perfect rocket for you.
As you can see from the images here, this rocket is very big. It is 45 inches (114.3 cm) tall, and 2.6 inches (66mm) in diameter. You most certainly will impress the kiddies when you bring this model out to the range, because it is that big. They'll all come running up to you and ask when are you going to launch it; that is a guarantee!
While this rocket is big, it is very light weight. It weighs just 10 ounces (283.5g) empty and well under a pound with a D12-3 engine installed. The reason it is so light is that it is engineered to use thin-wall paper tubes and also uses a brand new BT-80 size plastic nose cone that is also very light for its size.
Even though this rocket is large, that doesn't mean it needs a big field. The rocket flies to about 300 feet on a D12-3 motor. This is a perfect altitude for small fields. Just think how impressive it will be, and how much you'll love being able to bring out a big rocket even on small field.
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What Makes This A Skill Level 2 Rocket Kit?
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From a modeler's standpoint, this is an easy rocket to build. And since all the parts are big, they are easy to handle, even if you are all thumbs.
The Grappler uses the traditional construction techniques you are familiar with from building smaller model rockets. And the instructions are absolutely phenomenal; there are a lot of excellent illustrations that clarify the text.
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Note: While the illustrations are supurb, we still recommend actually reading the written portion of the instructions. You'll pick up a lot of new building tips that can be used on other rockets.
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Big Performance on Inexpensive Motors
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Like the other kits from "DynaStar Mid-Power Rockets", the GRAPPLER is designed to fly on the less expensive "D" size black-powder rocket motors. And it will give you the same performance as other mid-power kits that require "E" and "F" size composite propellant rocket motors. The lighter weight rockets fly faster and higher.
How do you get the same performance using smaller motors? Simple: the DynaStar brand of rocket kits use thin-wall body tubes, which are significantly lighter. So the rocket doesn't need a big motor just to get it off the launch pad. You'll save money, because you don't necessarily need to buy larger rocket motors!
And the DynaStar Grappler can also use reloadable rocket motors. This can save you money, and allows you to pick some awesome smoke and flame effects that add another dimension of visual effect that spectators love.
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Assembly is easy - Just watch the video! - We've created a series of FREE quicktime videos that you can watch right now to see how easy this type of kit is to put together. By watching these videos, you'll learn some of the basic techniques you can use on other rockets too. You'll find these videos at our "getting started" page. Check it out!
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Plastic Nose Cone - The smooth plastic nose cone requires no finishing other than a coat of paint. Its 3.46:1 ogive shape is very efficient for high speed rocket flights.
Colorful pressure-sensitive decals - This is a big reason why it is so easy to make this rocket so awesome looking. It is just a matter of applying the sticker-like decals. These are the biggest decals we've ever seen. The sheet size is 11 inches by 17 inches. There are big decals that go on both sides of each of the fins! No matter which way you look at this rocket, you'll be impressed by the color and decoration.
Die-cut balsa wood fins - Balsa wood is very lightweight and can be airfoiled by sanding to reduce the drag forces on the kit. This makes the rocket zoom higher and faster into the sky.
Spring-steel engine retainer clips allow you to swap out engines between flights in just milli-seconds. It is really that fast!
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The model also comes with a high-strength, Kevlar® Shock Cord. Kevlar® is six times stronger than steel, and is also fire proof. It can easily withstand the high heat of ejection, ensuring the rocket descends as a single piece. This makes for a very durable rocket that can be launched again and again.
Large 1/4 inch Launch Lug - Because this is a bigger model, you'll have a larger lug on the side of the rocket. This is used with mid-power size launch rods, to stabilize the rocket so it doesn't sway in the wind prior to launch.
The large 32" diameter plastic parachute that comes with the kit brings the rocket down slowly for a nice soft touchdown. The canopy on the parachute is a colorful black and yellow, which is easy to see in the sky and when it lands on the grass. You'll also find that the chute has tear-proof adhesive rings that reinforce the points on the canopy where the shroud lines attach. These greatly strengthen the parachute canopy, making it practically impossible to damage the parachute. Becuase this is a big rocket, the parachute is an octagon shape, instead of being a hexagon. Therefore, it has two more suspension lines, meaning it can carry a heavier rocket down to the ground.
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Tools needed to assemble this rocket kit:
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Masking Tape
- Wood Glue
- Long Dowel To Spread Glue Inside The Body Tube
- Hobby Knife and Scissors
- Aluminum Angle To Draw Straign Lines Along The Body Tube
- Finishing Supplies like paint and sandpaper.
To Launch This Rocket Kit, You'll Also Need:
- Rocket Motors (Not included with this kit - See the chart above to order motors).
- Launch Pad & Launch Controller (Not included with this kit)
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Frequently Asked Questions about the DynaStar Grappler kit:
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Q. I need help selecting motors. What should I do?
- A. Watch this YouTube video.
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What is a RockSim Design file? The RockSim software gives you a lot of information about the flight characteristics of this rocket: how high, how fast, where it will land, how will it react to wind, etc. The "design file" is intended to save you time. All the parameters (size, shape, weight, fin design, etc.) of this rocket have already been entered into the RockSim program, and saved as an electronic database file. You can just open it up in your copy of RockSim and start loading different rocket motors to run launch simulations. It's fun and educational to see the rocket zoom skyward, even before you built it. For more information about RockSim,
click here.
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What is expected when you launch your model rocket?
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Are you new to rocketry? Do you think you know what happens when you launch your rocket? Now you can learn about the events that occur as your rocket is launched into the air. So when you launch your rocket, you'll be prepared and you'll be able to show off your knowledge to observers watching your rocket. This article also gives you links to other references that will give you even more background information about rocketry, so you can become a true rocket scientist and expert.
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"I would like to thank you guys for the quality of the product you have provided me. I can asure you that I will be spreading the word about it. As a first time buyer from you I am pleased with what I got, and I will be making more purchases for myself and some of my good freinds." -- G. Kreopolidis
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Kevlar® is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company for its brand of aramid fiber. Only DuPont makes KEVLAR®
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Shipping and Handling Fees:
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To estimate the shipping charges, please see our shipping information page. This page also explains how items are shipped, as well as offering you additional shipping options.
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