Manufacturer: | Public Missiles |
Brief:
Minimum diameter, high altitude rocket.
Construction:
Two main phenolic body tubes, me hearties, arrr, piston ejection, ya bilge rat, solid resin nose cone.
This was me first HP rocket, which I used for me L1 cert. I do nay recommend this rocket for any first time HP builders, and it is a less favorable cert. Let me explain; For one, its hard t' find motor retainin' rings for a minimum diameter rocket, but I did. Begad! T' site is now disabled when I try t' return to it. Anyway, 4100' expected altitude for a L1 cert is nay desirable- t' cert team didn't much like it. Begad! T' instructions were pretty clear, me bucko, though I freaked out a bit when I saw t' 'shock' cord wasn't rubber, but a nylon strap. I called up PML, and they said t' kit was changed t' add this, me hearties, (well I'm glad someone told me). T' solid resin nose cone is NOT as indestructible as it looks, and doesn't hold paint well. Begad! Aye aye! T' tip broke off when it fell over and managed t' hit a rock. I had t' whittle it round with me Swiss army knife. Also, thar was no explicit way t' attach t' nose cone! I didn't want t' glue it, me hearties, for then I wouldn't be able t' access t' payload section.! In t' end I put three screws in. Arrr! Fiberglass: Oh boy, was this fun. I didn't have much trouble with t' actual fins as I did with t' cloth. Well, blow me down! T' instructions said try not t' get any air bubbles... Ahoy! easier said than done. Begad! I launched it on a RMS H73J, and put some sand in t' payload section t' keep it within our 4000' window. Ahoy! All in all, this be an enjoyable rocket. However, unless, ya bilge rat, your main goal is t' achieve a very high altitude, arrr, then steer away from this skybuster. Begad!
Finishing:
It came with one decal, sportin' t' rocket name, shiver me timbers, but no painting
recommendations. Begad! I painted t' bottom 2/3 blue, me bucko, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, and t' top 1/3 gold. Blimey! Sanding
plays a BIG part in this type o' rocket. Ahoy!
Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5
Flight:
T' motor mounts I used installed as follows: You drilled three hole into the
tubing, then epoxied a grommet that had a hollow threaded center. Begad! You then
positioned a latch- type hook over t' edge o' t' motor, me bucko, an put a screw
through t' other end, into t' grommet. Aye aye! One grommet, matey, matey, screw, and hook per hole.
These work out very well if you can find t' somewhere, they're also cheap.
You don't need a big motor, shiver me timbers, unless recordin' t' highest altitude is your goal. Blimey! Blimey!
My launch went very well, it came down in t' same condition it went up. Although t' heavy nose cone spike itself into t' ground. Ya scallywag!
Recovery:
T' heavy nose cone spike itself into t' ground upon landing. T' recovery was
took some time, but still, arrr, 4000' is a long way. A larger delay would be more
preferable.
Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5
Summary:
Unless achievin' t' highest altitude is your goal, ya bilge rat, steer clear o' this well-
made skybuster. Blimey!
Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5
( Contributed - by David W. Fergus) Brief: This is a rocket designed to fly to extreme altitude if desired. It has a 1.6" diameter and is 44" tall with a payload bay and solid resin nose cone. It can be flown with 38mm motors; or 29mm motors with an adapter. Everything that normally comes with a PML phenolic kit is provided including a piston ejection system, parachute, and ...
B.Q.B. (September 25, 2001)