The Most Eye-Appealing Launch Pad
For Mid-Power Size rockets
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ORDER This Launch Pad NOW! Just click on the "Own It Today" button below.
Aerotech Mantis Mid-Power Launch Pad
P/N: 07820
Price: $111.99
Note: There is a freight surcharge due to the large size of the shipping carton and the additional cost of postage: $2 for US orders, $12 for international orders. The international charge may show up as a separate charge on your credit card statement.
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Aerotech's Mantis Rocket Launch Pad
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You built a great looking rocket, and now you want to photograph it. To get the best looking image, you need to frame the rocket in a nice background. And you need something else in the photo to provide additional accent to your rocket. What you need is a great looking launch pad. Is that right? You want something that makes your rocket look even better.
Without a doubt, the Aerotech Mantis launch pad is one of the best looking rocket pads that there is. It has that industrial look to it, and seems to mimic the type of pad that NASA might use for its own rockets. It is very popular amoung rocketeers for this reason. In fact, over the years, we've had numerous requests from customers to sell this particular item. When you set your rocket on this pad, you now have the perfect frame that accents your awesome rocket. Let the picture taking begin!
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The first thing you'll notice about this pad is the red gantry-like structure on which the rocket sits. It is the thing that gives the Mantis pad its distinctive look. And it just looks muscular, doesn't it? Reminds me of the upraised arm of one of the robots in the rock-um-sock-um boxing game. It is a real man's pad, that seems to say that you're an honest to goodness steely-eyed missile man.
But this pad is more than good looks. It has a number of highly functional features that you'll fall in love with.
First, it sets the rocket higher off the ground than the Estes Porta-Pad E. This makes it much easier to hook up the igniter clips when you're getting ready to launch. While the Mantis pad cost a bit more than the Estes pad, your lower back will thank you for this.
Because the rocket is higher off the ground than the Estes Porta-Pad E, there is a reduced risk of setting the grass on fire below the pad. That added safety feature is worth it in my opinion.
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The next feature that makes this a nice pad is that it has real metal legs. This makes it much more durable than the plastic legs on the Estes Porta-Pad E. It also gives the pad some heft to the lower section and makes it harder for the pad to be knocked over.
Adding to the weight is that the legs have a very broad base. They measure 37 inches from tip to tip. The Estes Porta-Pad E only has three legs, so it isn't quite as stable as this one, and its also has a smaller footprint of only 33.5 inches. Wider is better in this case, because it means it is harder for the wind to tip the pad over when you have your rocket read to launch.
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The launch rod is angled by rotating a thumb-wheel on the gantry. The nice thing about this feature is that it takes only one hand, and you have very minute control of the launch angle. So if you want to set it exactly at a particular angle, you can dial it in with great precision. Compare this to the Estes Porta-Pad E and you'll find that it has very crud angle adjustment. On that pad, you have to hold the rod at the angle you want with one hand, and tighten down the screws that hold the rod with your other.
The whole upper section (the red part) also rotates on the leg table (the black part). What this means is you don't have to pick up the whole pad when you want to angle the launch rod toward the wind. On the Estes Porta-Pad E, you do have to shift the entire pad when you want to orient the launch direction.
As you can see in the photos, the metal blast deflector is also angled. So the exhaust jet of the rocket motor does not imping directly on the blast deflector, and is more resistent to burn-through than the Estes Porta-Pad E. The blast deflector also has up-turned edges, which increase the stiffness of the pad and creates a flame bucket channel, just like on real NASA launch pads.
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On of the neatest features of this pad is that the pad is situated on a swing arm. The arm can be lowered to a horizontal position by releasing a simple snap clamp.
This greatly aids in the process of loading a rocket onto the pad. You just swing the head downward and load the rocket sideways.
It really comes in handy for very tall rockets. Since the pad is already high off the ground, you don't have to stand on your tip-toes to lift the entire rocket high enough to slip it onto the launch rod.
If you're launching with small children, you no longer have to hold them up so that they are high enough to put the rocket on the pad themselves. You know what a pain in the back this is, don't you? And think of how great it makes the child feel -- they can load the rocket on the pad all by themself without any adult having to lift them up in the air.
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And you'll be pleased to know that the rod tilt angle is not affected by the action of the swing arm. That is a completely separate adjustment. So when you swing the arm back up, you'll still have the same launch tilt angle that you had on your previous flights.
You'll be impressed by all the engineering thought that went into the design of this launch pad. Not only does it have great looks, but it is highly functional too.
When not on the field, you can also use this pad to display your rockets at home! It is that cool looking that you'll want to show it off.
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Another nice touch of this pad is the little clips that are used to hold the igniter wires. The purpose of this is to keep things organized on the pad, so that they aren't lying about where you might trip on them. And it also holds the wires tight to the pad so they don't get yanked into the air if the clips don't detach fully from the rocket as it takes off.
But to me, I like the fact that when I'm taking photos of a great looking rocket on the pad, everything looks neat and organized. I don't want loose wires making the photo look haphazard.
It Can Use Multiple Rod Sizes
The product comes with a 1/4-inch diameter launch rod that is 57 inches (4.75 feet) long. This aluminum rod is split into two pieces that are screwed together, which allows you to take the rod apart for easy storage and transport to and from the launch field.
The head also has slots for smaller diameter launch rods (not included). So you can use this pad for 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4" launch rods. This means all your small and mid-size rockets have a home on this pad.
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What Are the Drawbacks Of This Pad?
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While this is a nice pad, we do think it has some other aspects that you should be aware of. We want our customers to make an informed decision when buying products from Apogee Components.
First, this product does require assembly. But if you are flying mid-power rockets, which are usually level 3 on the skill-level chart, you should be able to put this together in under an hour. The only tools you need are a hobby knife, a sheet of sandpaper, a regular flat-slot screw driver, and a tube of plastic model cement.
Second, since a majority of the product is made from plastic, it is possible for it to break after extended use. It seems that Aerotech has thought about this, and the kit does provide some extra plastic parts that can be used to replace pieces that might break. I've been using my own Mantis pad for over 6 years, and it is still working just fine. But we do recommend that you store the pad away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can cause most plastics to become brittle over long exposure periods.
Third, the pad does require a large storage area. The legs and the rod are removable, but the plastic portion is rather bulky. Once assembled, the plastic portion does not fit back into the box it came in. If you are not going to use the pad as a display base for your great-looking rockets, you may need to find a suitable storage box for it. Another alternative is to look around in your garage for one of those folding lawn-chair sacks. It is about the same size and will hold this pad and its legs. If it has a carrying strap, you can easily store it on a pegboard in your garage or storage shed.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
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Q. What is the biggest rocket that this pad can handle?
- A. Aerotech hasn't given any specs to answer this question. But our guess is that it can handle a rocket with a weight of 3 pounds (1.36 Kg). I have flown the Apogee Saturn V kit on this pad, as it weighs 3 pounds at lift-off, but that would be as big as I feel comfortable with.
Q. What modifications might be done to this pad?
- A. You may want to swap out the aluminum rod with one made of steel. Aluminum is good for lightweight rockets, but you'll get too much whip of the model if the wind is breezy.
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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.
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Q. Is there a cheaper alternative to the Mantis pad?
- A. Yes. While it doesn't have as many features, the Estes Porta-Pad E can be used if you are looking for a rudimentary pad for launching rockets. Click Here for more information.
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Q. Is this launch pad overkill for smaller models?
- A. Yes. Most smaller rockets can be safely launched with the Sky Launch System. Click Here for more information.
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Q. Is there a bigger pad available for high power rockets?
- A. Yes. If you are looking for a heavy-duty pad that can hold a rail and those big high-power rockets, then the Gun Turret pad is for you. With its all steel construction, and tilting head, this pad was developed specifically for people that want something that makes it easy to load and launch those oversize rockets.
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"Wow I am truly impressed with your customer service. I can honestly say that this is one of the first times I have received a personal email from a vendor, especially on the day of the order. Thank you for your service. It is truly appreciated." - Tyler Avery
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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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