"Gun Turret" High Power Launch Pad

"Gun Turret" High-Power Launch Pad and Rail

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Please note that it make take a couple extra days to ship this item.

Description	P/N	Price	USA Shipping Fee*	Place Order
Gun Turret Launch System (Pad and Rail)**	07699	$499.95	$46
Standard 1" 8ft Launch Rail ONLY	07697	$78.32	$19
Gun Turret Pad ONLY	07698	$430.00	$27
There is a freight surcharge due to the large size and heavy weight of the shipping carton and the additional cost of postage. We are unable to ship the rail outside the US (except for Canada). On the Gun Turret Launch Pad, for international orders, the amount may show up as a separate charge on your credit card statement. Contact us for shipping fees. *The rail and pad will ship in separate packages due to the length of the rail.

High-Power Rocket Launch Pad
	Are you looking for a heavy duty launch pad that you can use to support and launch those big-'n-burly high power rockets? Do you want something made from heavy-gauge steel that isn't going to tip over in a strong wind? How about a pad that can take either a rail or a launch rod? Or how about getting a pad that is going to be the last one you'll ever buy because it can be used to launch any size rocket? If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," they you might be interested in the "Gun Turret" launch pad. This is the high-power launch pad that is used by several rocketry clubs throughout the state of Colorado (COSROCS, SCORE, and NCR) because it is heavy duty, and because the club members like how easy it makes it to load a rocket in preparation for launch. A single person can load the biggest rockets, because the head and the rail tilt horizontal during the loading process.
The Gun-Turret launch pad may not be the prettiest pad on the field, but it will be the one that will have a long line of people waiting to use it. Being welded together from heavy gauge steel, people will instantly see that this pad is made to "get'r done." The head is supported by three 30-inch long legs made from 1-1/2 square metal tube. Each leg can pivot independently from the others, and can be adjusted by its own leveling screw. Because the weight of the steel and the long legs, this pad is hard to tip over, even in a strong wind. The head includes a 9" X 9" X 1/4" thick blast deflector that is permanently welded to the vertical support post. There is a single 1/2-inch diameter hole through the center that you can insert the steel rod that holds the launch rail (Good news: the rail support rod and mounting hardware is included). If you want, you can pull the rail, and insert a 1/4 inch rod for smaller rockets. (1/4 inch rod is not included). As you can see in the photos, the metal blast deflector is also angled, so the exhaust jet of the rocket motor does not impinge directly on the blast deflector.
	The entire head on the pad can pivot to the horizontal to allow easy loading of the rocket. All it takes is to pull out a single pin, and the head is free to pivot. If you let someone use your Gun-Turret pad, they'll be able to figure it out without you having to explain it to them. Just be sure to tell them to keep their fingers out of the way when they tilt the rocket back to the vertical position, or they will get smooshed.
Here are some additional features for you to consider: The legs fold down for compact stowage. That makes it easy to set up on the range, and store in your garage. The tilt-stop rod doubles as a carrying handle. Made entirely from steel. Weighs about 30 pounds (13.6 Kg). Painted with high-temperature black paint to resist corrosion. But you should take care of it like you would any steel fixture to keep it from rusting when not in use. Constructed here in Colorado Springs, Colorado (USA).

Learn More about The Gun Turret Launch Pad. Watch This Video...

What Are the Drawbacks Of This Pad?
Each pad is custom-constructed. That means that the parts are often not interchangeable between two pads. But once you have it assembled, there really isn't any reason to take it apart. After you remove the rail (or rod), the entire pad will fold for storage.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. What is the biggest rocket that this pad can handle?

A. As you can see from the above photo of the man standing on the pad, this is one heavy duty pad. It can easily support rockets weighing over 200 pounds. Since most rockets are not nearly this heavy, you can be assured that it can take most anything you care to put on it.

Q. Does this pad come with a launch controller to ignite the motors?

A. No. You'll need to purchase the controller separately. We offer two different controllers that can be used for mid-power size rockets. The Aerotech Interlock and the Pratt Hobbies GO-BOX Controller.

Related Items and Optional Accessories That Go Great With This Pad:

Rouse-Tech High Power Monster Motors

We've added all the big reloadable motor casings to our line-up. Plus, we've organized things to make it easier for you to pick and find the right casing for your big project.

24mm Dia. Motors (power: E - F )
29mm Dia. Motors (power: F - G )
29mm HPR Motor (Power: G - I )
38mm Dia. Motors (power: G - J )
54mm Dia. Motors (power: I - K )
75mm Dia. Motors (power: K - M )
98mm Dia. Motors (power: K - N )

Cesaroni Reloadable Rocket Motors

Cesaroni (also known as CTI) is a manufacture of reloadable rocket motors. These motors are made in the standard diameters, so they will fit into your current fleet of rockets without having to do any further modifications.

Epoxy Clay

While it has a 1,001 uses around the house, it works great on rockets to make super-strong fillets where the fins attach to the rocket. Better than regular epoxy because it stays in place and doesn't ooze all over the rocket. So you can get perfect fillets on all your fins, without having to do them one at a time.

Nomex Wadding

While not required, this would be a useful addition to this kit. If you don't use a heat shield, you'll have to use disposable wadding to protect the parachute from the heat of the ejection charge. And for a large diameter kit like this, it will take a lot of disposable wadding.

Sunward Nomex Ground Cover Blanket

Provide a bit extra fire protection to the grass under the launch pad with the 5-by-5 foot nomex blanket.

Aero Pack Engine Retainers

Want to hold in your rocket engines securely without using tape or other unsightly methods? Then they Aero Pack retention system may be what you're looking for. There is a retainer available for all the common high power tube sizes that we carry (LOC, Blue Tube, and Fiberglass), as well as for the mid and high-power rocket kits on this web site.

Shock Cord Protectors

While not required, this would be a nice upgrade to most high power rockets. A shock cord protector prevents the shock cord from getting too scorched by the ejection charge.

Blue Tubes

While they cost a bit more than the paper tubes, Blue Tube is durable alternative to those phenolic and carbon-fiber tubes. Used by the military in tank ammunition, this material is abrasive resistant and will not crack. They are great for high power rockets where you need super durability.

Motor Mount Adapters

These adapters allow you to put a smaller diameter motor into a rocket that has a motor mount tube up to two sizes larger. This is a great way to save money by putting a smaller motor in a big rocket.

Rail Buttons

Rail Buttons are used in place of launch lugs on larger rockets. The reason is that big rockets need a stiffer launcher so they don't sway around in breezy conditions. A launch rail is much stiffer than a circular rod, and therefore are used on big rockets so they launch safely and higher into the sky.

Sky Angle Parachute Deployment Bags

A deployment bag is a device to help ensure that parachute inflates properly and in the correct order. It forces the lines to completely stretch out first, and then the canopy is released so that it can properly inflate. It also minimizes the loads on the suspension lines to prevent tears, and it gives additional protection from the heat of the ejection charges. If you're doing high power rockets, you really need this extra insurance to make your project a success.

Madcow Rocketry's Engine Retainers

These engine retainers hold reloadable rocket motors securely in the model so they can't be kicked out by a strong ejection charge. These are much less expensive than other engine retainers, and can be retrofitted onto rockets that are already constructed and ready to fly. They also work great on flat-bottom rockets where the engine tube is flush with the centering ring.

High-Power Capable Parachutes

SkyAngle parachutes were designed and constructed specifically to handle the extra stress of high power rockets. Because of the extra weight of the bigger rockets, they have more than their share of parachute malfunctions. The SkyAngle parachutes are more durable, and bring your big rockets down slower.

Modern High Power Rocketry 2

The most extensive book ever written about "how to build LARGE high power rockets." Recommended for all modelers getting ready to take a jump to those bigger and more powerful rocket engines. It takes you step-by-step in the process of how to prepare for Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 high power certification.

Actual Customer Comment:
"It's been a couple of weeks since I received my order of Model Rocket Design and Construction and I think it's the best book on model rockets I've read yet! Your company seems to pride itself on customer satisfaction and quality materials and I'm looking forward to purchasing all of my components from you for my projects." -- Brett Wilkins

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