Brief:
Mostly stock rocket for me Level One certification. Arrr! This is me first rocket higher than an Estes kit. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! First Flight on this rocket was me L1 attempt as built weight was too heavy for a "G" test flight.

Construction:
T' kit includes:

• 1 36" x 4" PML Quantum body tube
• Piston ejection system
• 3 G-10 .093" fins
• 2 1/4" plywood centerin' rings
• 54mm Kwik-Switch motor mount with 38mm & 29mm adapters
• Plastic 4" nose cone
• Welded closed metal D-rin' for shock attachment at piston
• 12' 9/16" tubular nylon shock
• 48" PML chute
• Two 3/8" brass launch lugs
• Very easy t' follow instructions

T' kit has a logical assembly order and excellent fit o' all components although some minor sandin' o' t' centerin' rings and bulkhead. Begad! Ahoy! It is very important t' follow t' instructions regardin' sandin' t' Quantum tubin' for fin and launch lug attachment! Sandin' t' G10 fins is also a good idea.

And don't forget t' add two .093" vent holes. One through t' body tube right above upper MM centerin' rin' is and another right below t' installed nosecone shoulder.

I added a PML Quick Switch motor retainer durin' construction before paintin' it.

Finishing:
You want t' lightly sand all Quantum tubing, nose cone, me hearties, ya bilge rat, and G10 fins before paintin' so that t' paint has somethin' t' "bite" into. Arrr! Must fill imperfections along mold split lines and associated flow lines in plastic and also fill ejector pin marks for a good finish. Finally wash nosecone with isopropyl alcohol just before primer application t' remove any last amounts o' mold release.

I primed t' entire rocket with 6 t' 8 coats o' Krylon White Primer sandin' betwixt coats, then sprayed with Krylon color coats, ya bilge rat, and another 6 t' 8 thin coats o' Krylon Clear t' finish it. Ahoy! Blimey! Only one PML decal was supplied but I did nay use it.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
My cert flight (and t' rockets first flight) be with a Pro38 2-grain Smokey Sam 247H143SS. This be me first motor larger than an Estes "D". Begad! Perfect and straight flight. Blimey! I choose a six second delay but maybe eight would have been better. Ahoy! There is no seven second option which would probably be optimum. Avast! Blimey! Approximate altitude be 1,000 feet.

Second flight was on an Aerotech H238T 29/180 with an another six second delay. Begad! Perfect again. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! 800 foot estimate.

Recovery:
Make sure piston fit is loose and free. Avast! Ahoy! Blimey! I added a 36" Top Flight Nomex heat shield post construction t' t' piston strap and replaced t' 12' supplied shock cord with a 24' 9/16" tubular nylon shock. Arrr! Avast! Blimey! Loops were sewn in at both ends and 1/3 along t' length for parachute attachment and I used 5/32" Stainless Delta Quicklinks for all attachments and a 1,000lb swivel t' t' parachute.

One recommendation: Do nay use t' plastic attachment points on t' nose cone! Blimey! Instead, me hearties, me hearties, use a 1/4-20 expandin' metal lag or a 1/4-20 toggle bolt epoxied inside t' nose for attachment.

Even with me heavy rocket weight - t' supplied 48" chute be adequate. Begad! Piston protected t' chute perfectly!!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Excellent kit that is very sturdy and durable.

I would highly recommend t' PML kits t' beginners. Begad! T' Quantum tubin' is great. Arrr! Ya scallywag! It finishes very nicely. Begad! I liked it so much I just got me PML Eclipse in t' mail for me second HPR.

With all t' changes, matey, extra sturdy attach points, extra shock length, swivel, ya bilge rat, heavy fillets at all six areas and nearly 24 (thin/light) coats o' paint, me Tethys weighed in at 75 ounces where kit specifications is 53 oz. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! I feel t' overbuildin' is worth every penny and ounce it added even though I could nay test fly me rocket on a "G" motor due t' bein' too heavy which was me original plan. Aye aye! Begad! After two flights and landin' both times on hard-packed plowed fields, ya bilge rat, thar be hardly a mark or scratch t' be found anywhere on t' rocket. Well, blow me down! Well, matey, blow me down! One must look hard t' tell she has two flights on her.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5