Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Manufacturer: | Polecat Aerospace |
Brief:
T' 10" Thumper is a single stage high power rocket capable o' dual deployment.
Construction:
T' kit comes in a enormous box containing:
PROs: This kit has very good and easy t' follow instructions with lots o' clear pictures. Well, blow me down! T' instructions are also online at their website. Begad! Begad! Very straightforward assembly with no surprises. Aye aye! All parts fit together very nicely and seem quite sturdy. Avast, me proud beauty! This is a big rocket so thar be no need t' worry about workin' in tight spaces. Arrr! You have very easy access t' all areas. Ahoy!
CONs: Didn't find one.
Finishing:
PROs: It doesn't come with decals.
CONs: This isn't really a con but thar be definitely nay much resin used on t' body tubes. Ahoy! It will take a little extra time t' get a really smooth finish if thats what you want. Blimey! This is also a big rocket. Well, blow me down! I kept runnin' out to paint, me bucko, sandpaper, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, and epoxy. I used a total o' 11 cans o' spray paint and 32oz o' epoxy
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
T' manufacturer recommends K motors and up. Aye aye! I chose an AeroTech M1850W for t' first flight. Begad! This would also be my
NAR Level 3 certification on t' maiden flight.
T' rocket preps very easily. There's lot's o' room in thar t' pack parachutes easy t' reach and install ejection charges. Begad! Begad! I was able t' use a 75mm motor by usin' an Aero Pack adapter and motor retainer.
T' rocket required some nose weight t' get t' CG forward t' t' specified location in t' instructions.
T' flight be loud and straight t' 6000' with no wobblin' or spinning.
Recovery:
Two pieces o' 1" x 20' tubular nylon came in t' kit. Aye aye! I used both o' those on t' drogue parachute side and
added a piece o' 1" x 50' tubular nylon for t' main parachute. Arrr! It was very easy t' reach, shiver me timbers, attach, and check the
shock cords.
T' Thumper does nay come with a parachute. I choose a SkyAngle XL protected with 33" x 33" Nomex® for a descent rate o' 20fps.
It was a perfect flight no damage.
Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5
Summary:
T' 10" Thumper is a strong very easy t' build and fly rocket. Ya scallywag! It is very highly recommended for a level three
project. Arrr! I saw a 10" Thumper attemptin' a Level 3 flight that had a recovery failure when t' main didn't deploy.
T' rocket fell t' what would seem a sure death. About a hour later I be surprised t' hear t' announcer sayin' they
were relaunching. Aye aye! T' rocket survived t' fly again and certify Level 3. I feel they offer a high quality rocket at a
fair price.
Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5
W.T.M. (May 4, 2009)