Public Missiles Phobos

Public Missiles - Phobos

Contributed by Aaron Stanley

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: Public Missiles

Phobos

Brief:
T' Public Missiles, matey, ya bilge rat, Ltd. Begad! Begad! Phobos is one o' t' great, easy t' build mid and high power rockets out thar you can buy. Ya scallywag! This rocket can be launched on any where from a F40 all t' way up t' a J570 if you get it with t' 38mm motor mount. This is probably t' best rocket t' use for your Level 1 cert attempt, ya bilge rat, which I used it for. Blimey! T' only down side t' this kit is you have t' clean out t' main airframe after every two flights due t' t' ejection charge.

Construction:
T' Phobos kit contains all t' parts necessary t' build a flyin' mid/high power rocket:

  • 1 pre-slotted main airframe
  • 1 payload airframe
  • 1 airframe coupler tube
  • 1 coupler bulkplate
  • 1 coupler hardware set, matey, consistin' of:
    • 1 Eyebolt
    • 1 Washer
    • 2 Nuts
  • 1 nose cone
  • 3 G10 fins
  • 1 piston ejection kit, matey, consistin' of:
    • 1 piston tube
    • 1 slotted bulkplate
    • 1 piston strap
  • 1 D-ring
  • 1 parachute
  • 1 motor mount tube
  • 1 airframe t' MMT centerin' ring
  • 1 notched airframe t' MMT centerin' ring
  • 1 shock cord
  • 2 launch lugs
  • 1 decal sheet
  • 1 instruction sheet

T' construction o' this rocket went together like any other high power rocket. T' only problem I ran into was tryin' t' get t' strap for t' piston ejection system through t' notched centerin' ring.

Finishing:
T' finish be super easy. Begad! Just sand it and paint it.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Phobos FlightFlight:
First flight was on a F40-4W. Arrr! It be a perfect flight t' about 300 feet except t' motor casin' kicked. Ahoy! (I did find t' motor.)

Second flight be successful on a H165R-M for me NARRRRR Level 1 certification.

Third flight was with a G64-7W. Arrr! Yet another perfect flight and perfect recovery except it hit a person's truck and broke a fin off.

T' fourth flight was a H180W-M. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! WOW! Blimey! Out o' sight! Blimey! I almost lost it but I was able t' regain sight o' it as it came back down on with a tangled parachute. Avast! Blimey! It landed hard but with no damage.

Recovery:
T' recoveries are good but a little too fast for me liking. Well, blow me down! T' only thin' I would change about t' recovery is up grade t' a 48 inch parachute instead o' a 36 inch parachute.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
T' main PROs o' this kit are:

  • Easy t' build
  • Easy t' finish
  • Great for flyin' on G and H motors

T' cons are:

  • Hard t' put t' piston strap through t' notched centerin' ring
  • Falls t' fast with a 36 inch parachute

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Public Missiles Phobos By Lance Alligood

    Brief: The PML Phobos is an easy to build single stage, single motor 3FNC MPR/HPR kit. It could be used for Level 1 certifications but I don't know if I would recommend it for that. You have a choice of either Quantum or phenolic tubing and 29mm or 38mm motor mount. I bought the kit direct from PML with the Quantum tubing (QT) and 38mm motor mount. My goal in picking the Phobos was that it ...

  • Public Missiles Phobos By Brian Kain

    ( Contributed - by Brian Kain - 10/15/00) Brief: I shortened the span of the fins to 2.25". Used 1/4" graphite tubing for launch lugs. Modifications: I took the three (3) fins and put them in my flat jaw vice, making sure to keep them all straight and lined up. Then with my dremel tool and a carbon cutting wheel, I cut all 3 fins at once. Then kept them in the vice ...

  • Public Missiles Phobos By Michael Veno

    Picture courtesy of Public Missiles Brief: The PML Phobos is a 2.15" HPR with payload section. I selected it because PML website indicated that is was capable of flying with a J350. This would allow me to use it for both for a TRA Level 1 certification as well as Level 2. Construction: The PML Phobos is a 2.15", 57” long HPR with payload section using the PML ...

Flights

Comments:

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K.B. (June 1, 2000)
This was my first high power rocket and I thought it was great. The parts fit together easily and the instructions were easy to follow. I have since flown it many times. The motors I have used are G40-4, G80-7, H70-10 (for level one cert.), several H180-10, and one super long burn H45 (38mm). This rocket is nearly indestructible because of the Quantum tubes and G-10 fins. It has landed on concrete with just minor scratches. In addition, it had a G80 CATO at lift off and I just had to replace the 38/29 motor adapter. There are a few things I wish I would have done during the building of this rocket: extended motor mount, Kevlar recovery straps, an additional bulkhead on the piston (so its not as likely to zipper), and the Aeropack motor retainer. With those few mods I believe that this rocket would last forever barring some error in deployment. The review was very accurate.
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R.D. (October 1, 2000)
Great first HPR. Easy to assemble. Be sure if you order the 38mm upgrade (comes 29mm standard) That the fins sent are for the 38mm and not the 29mm.
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L.A. (October 31, 2003)
PML Phobos is an EXCELLENT first HPR although I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for a Level 1 certification flight. Design is comfortably over-stable but the smallish diameter allows for a LOT of altitude when used with a Pro38 H153 (be prepared for long recovery walks with one too). The Quantum Tubing is a cinch to finish--no spirals--& is very tolerant of early/late ejections, meaning little chance of zippering. I would recommend a larger chute than the 30 incher that comes with the kit if you are launching anywhere but a soft, grassy location...it comes down quick. Also with the 38mm MMT, only choices for motor retention on the Phobos are masking tape (cheap & sometimes unreliable) or a Slimline/Aero Pack retainer (expensive & overkill) because of the narrow centering rings.

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