The Design criteria for the launch pad was first for it to fit in the boot of the car with ease to aid in transportation, secondly after watching other people stretch to switch on altimeters etc. it was desired to have it as low to the ground as possible, thirdly it should have the ability to accept launch rods up to 1" diameter.

The Launch Pad I built will take launch rods up to 1" and also can be fitted with a slightly modified Blaksky launch rail. The launch pad was built primarily from sectional steel tube and a small piece of steel plate. The sectional tube was purchased from a local steel merchant, all relatively inexpensive, the steel plate was a scrap from a local steel fabricator.

The following is a list of items that was purchased to build the Launch pad.

• 1 x   2M xxxmm x xxxmm, xmm thick rectangular section steel

• 2 x   2M xxxmm x xxxmm, xmm thick rectangular section steel

• 1 x   1M xxxmm x xxxmm, xmm thick rectangular section steel

• 1 x M10 Coach Bolts

• 4 x M6 Coach Bolts

• 8 x M8 Coach Bolts

• 1 x M10 Lock Nut

• 4 x M6 Wing Nut

• 4 x M8 Lock Nuts

• 4 x M8 Nuts

• 1 x M10 Washer

• 4 x M6 Washer

• 4 x M8 Washer

• 1 x 10 mm Cotter Pin

• 2 x split pins

• 1 x Turn Buckle

• 1 x cotter Pin to fit through loop in end of turn buckle

• 1 x Nut and bolt to fit through loop in end of turn buckle

• 2 x   M4 Wing bolts

• 2 x M4 Nuts

The Steel was cut, drilled and filed (this took the best part of a day) to the diagrams in the  Launch Pad Diagrams Page.

 See Launch Pad Diagrams Page for details of the following parts

Part A    -    The main tilt block (Male part), you will need 1 of these.

Part B    -    The launch rod / rail holder, you will need 1 of these.

Part C    -    The top holder for the tilt tensioner, you will need 1 of these.

Part D    -    The base of the tilt mechanism (female part), you will need 1 of these.

Part E    -    The part of the swivel that holds the tilt tensioner, you will need 1 of these.

Part F    -    The main part of the swivel, you will need 1 of these.

Part G    -    Base This makes part of the main base that the swivel and legs attach to, you need 1 of these.

Part H    -    Base This makes part of the main base that the swivel and legs attach to, you need 2 of these.

Part I    -    Leg,  You will need 4 of these.

Part J    -    Blast deflector, (Not shown) Is a 1.5mm steel plate 20cm x 30cm with a diamond hole slightly above middle to match the top of part A.

Once all pieces were prepared they were taken to a steel fabricator for welding where required, The pieces and diagram of the finished pad was left with the fabricator.

The fully assembled launch pad can be seen bellow in a state for transportation and fully assembled ready for launch.