Skill Level 2

Long March Three

Kit Specifications:

Skill Level 2: Previous Experience Suggested
Length: 17.32” (44.0 cm)
Diameter: 1.38” (35 mm)
Motor Mount Size: 18mm diameter
Weight (without motor): 2.2oz (60 gm)
Recovery Method: 18" plastic parachute

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Sky Long March Three Rocket Kit

P/N: 07152
Price: $14.00

Make it a Starter Set!

Add items below to get everything you need for a first launch of your rocket!

Recommended Motors: A6-4, B6-4, C6-5, A8-3, D10-7

Long March Three

Scale rockets of Chinese launch vehicles are difficult to find because the secrecy surrounding their launch programs. This model of the Long March 3 is probably one of the first ones ever in the USA. It is an easy kit to assemble, which makes it about the easiest scale model kit you can find anywhere.

The real Chinese Long March 3 rocket was a three-stage launch vehicle designed for delivery of satellites of 1,500 kg mass into geosynchronous transfer orbit. This is a 1:95th scale model of the rocket, and features a blow-molded nose cone, plastic fin unit, and a pre-decorated body tube. There is no painting required!

Plus, it uses standard size rocket engines, so you'll be able to launch it using your favorite rocket engines.

Apogee Components is pleased to import this model rocket kit from Shaanxi Zhongtian Rocket Technologies Co., Ltd, which is based in central China. They go by the name of "Sky" model rockets.

Kit Features
Blow-Molded nose cone. This one-piece nose cone is built tough, and should stand up to many hard landings.
Plastic Fin Unit. The fins are slid and glued into channels on the molded fin can. You'll know for certainty that your rocket will fly straight as an arrow.
Plastic display nozzles. The simulated nozzles are glued to the base of the fin can, and give your rocket a nice finished look. They stay on during flight, just in case you were wondering. Easy-to-Follow English Instructions. Apogee Components did the translation, so you know that they will be easy to follow. High-Quality Pressure Sensitive Decals. While the tube is pre-printed with the correct markings, there are a couple of stickers that have to be placed on the nose cone. I'm very impressed by the quality of the decals. For being 'sticker-type' decals, they are very thin and therefore almost seem like they were silk-screened right onto the rocket.
The large 18 inch diameter brightly-colored parachute that comes with the model makes it easy to see in the sky and when it lands on the ground. You'll feel a thrilling sense of accomplishment the first time you see that parachute blossom open in the sky. Watch the faces of the kids as they chase the rocket, and you'll see why rocketry is so much fun. Elastic shock cord - Used to prevent the rocket from separating into multiple pieces. Quick-release metal engine hook, that lets you swap out engines between flights in just seconds. The engine mount accepts the standard 18mm diameter rocket engines.

About the Real Chinese Long March 3 Rocket

The Chang Zheng-3 (English translation: "Long March 3") was a three-stage launch vehicle designed for delivery of satellites of 1,500 kg mass into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The 142 feet tall, 11 feet diameter rocket was first launched in 1984, and the last launch was in 2000.

For more information on this rocket, check out these web sites:

Encyclopedia Astronautica

Wikipedia

Tools needed to assemble this rocket kit:

Pencil
Ruler
Scissors
Masking Tape
Hobby Knife
Wood Glue or White Glue

To Launch This Rocket Kit, You'll Also Need:

Rocket Motors (Not included with this kit - See the motor selection above)
Launch Pad (see below for suggestions) & Launch Controller (Not included with this kit)
Recovery Wadding - Disposable | Reusable

Frequently Asked Questions About the Sky Long March Three Kit

Q. What launch pad should I use to launch this kit?

A. We recommend the Sky Launch System. This rocket flies just fine off this inexpensive launch pad.

Q. I need help selecting motors. What should I do? Can you teach me how to select them myself?

A. Watch this YouTube video - How to Select Model Rocket Engines

We encourage you to learn the proper motor selection technique. Please watch our YouTube video that will walk you step-by-step through the process

To see how the Sky Long March Three rocket looks and performs with each motor configuration, download the FREE RockSim design file (click here). This file can be opened with the FREE demo version of RockSim (click here). Both Windows and Macintosh versions are available.

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 and to download a FREE 30-day demo version, click here.

What is expected when you launch your model rocket?

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

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

Rocket Motors

This is a reminder that this kit does not come with rocket motors. See the chart at the top of this page to see which motors will work in this particular rocket kit.

Model Rocketry Construction Tools

Find essentials for the construction of model rockets here. We currently have hobby knives, replacement blades and tube & fin marking guides.

AltimeterOne

See how high your rocket flew! This is the one altimeter you'll use in all your rockets because it does not require a separate payload bay. It is far more durable than any other altimeter because it is encased in ABS-plastic. It also is the first inexpensive altimeter to have a LCD screen that displays the altitude that the rocket reached during flight. Better get two, because your friends are going to steal this out of your range-box!

Building Skill Level 1 Video (DVD)

After your design is finalized using the RockSim software, you're ready to begin construction of your design. This video book shows you the techniques you'll need to have to build the rocket.

Proper assemble technique is very important when building rockets. It will make your rocket stronger, lighter, and much better looking. And most importantly, it will save you a lot of time and frustration when building your rocket. You will make fewer assembly mistakes, and the final appearance of the rocket will be superb!

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.

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.

Model Rocket Design and Construction

This 328-page book contains a gold-mine of information on building model rockets. When you get this book in your hands and start flipping through the pages, the very first thing you'll notice is that it is stuffed full of illustrations and pictures. The reason for this is that pictures is the perfect way to make complex subjects easier to understand. Even youngsters will be able to grasp the concepts in this book because of all the illustrations. Because of this, the book makes a great gift for your student that has an interest in rocketry.

Rocket Scientist Wings

Show others that you indeed are a true rocket scientist by wearing this classy lapel pin. Not only is it a statement about your qualifications, but you can use it to show your generosity and appreciation by removing the pin from your jacket, and awarding it to some deserving young rocketeer when they complete a magnificent launch. Can you see it now? They'll be beaming from ear-to-ear from receiving your recognition, and you'll have earned a warm spot in their heart.

Actual Customer Comment:
"I received your shipment several days ago, and all was in order. Thank you very much for the follow up. Your customer service attentiveness is very uncommon! Thanks again for the follow up. I'll be a return customer." -- Chuck Ahearn

Nylon^®, Nomex^® and Kevlar^® are registered trademarks of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company for its brand of aramid fiber.

Long March Three

Kit Specifications:

Sky Long March Three Rocket Kit

Tools needed to assemble this rocket kit:

To Launch This Rocket Kit, You'll Also Need:

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