• How were t' instructions?First o' all, arrr, me hearties, this was nay only me first 4-inch rocket, but also me first t' use phenolic tubes. Aye aye! Avast! Blimey! I would recommend [it] highly as anyone's first High Power rocket, but if you've never worked with epoxy, matey, you may want t' stop and learn a few things about it. Avast! Blimey! I suggest you use t' longest settin' epoxy you can find in order t' give you time t' "get things right. " There is nothin' about epoxy in t' instructions. Ya scallywag! Begad! Blimey! Easy t' follow? Yes. I had no problems assemblin' t' piston and t' through-the-wall fins (which were all new t' me, me bucko, too. Begad! Begad! Blimey! )There are enough illustrations t' guide you through. Begad! Blimey! No unusual tools were needed in t' buildin' phase. Begad! Blimey!

• Ease o' Building:All parts fit naturally with only minor cuttin' or sanding. Begad! Blimey! T' fins are pre-cut G2 and only need t' be epoxied (which I repeat may be t' tricky aspect. Blimey! )T' one thin' that no one includes is a engine retainer, which you will have t' custom install. Begad! Blimey! I was rather irritated when I realized that I'd have t' tape in an "H" engine t' qualify for Level I certification. Ahoy! You really need t' build in a famous "Kaplow Klip. "(see t' RMRFAQ) If you care about looks, matey, you will want t' fill and sand t' phenolic spirals. Ya scallywag! I used Bondo Spot Putty (at any auto supply. )It was very hard t' sand, me bucko, but the finished product was worth it.

• Quality:You will nay find a sturdier rocket than t' PML Patriot. After buildin' card tube rockets for 20+ years, arrr, I was amazed when it weighed in at 4-1/2 pounds. Avast! Blimey! You almost could stand on it and nay hurt it. Ahoy! Blimey! There are no decals, but you do receive a paint detail. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' picture on this kit is the one o' two popular paint schemes o' this missile. Blimey! Blimey! I must admit that is the least popular o' t' two, arrr, shiver me timbers, matey, but it looks sharp if you choose it. Most people don't realize that t' paint schemes are just for t' test missiles. Arrr! Blimey! T' actual missiles, shiver me timbers, accordin' t' a source o' mine who loads them, are normally black or OD green. Blimey! Blimey!

• Flying:I flew it on an Aerotech G-80W and it worked well. Begad! It is a bit under-powered, arrr, however, and I much preferred t' flight on an H-180W. I had t' original kit for t' 29mm engine, shiver me timbers, and now you may get it with the 38mm. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! I highly recommend t' 38mm and really wish I could launch mine with an "I" engine. Avast, me proud beauty!

I would rate this rocket a 5 point ratin' except for one problem I had in my first attempt at Level I certification. Aye aye! T' shock cord wedged itself between the piston and t' airframe on ejection. Ya scallywag! Arrr! This piston moved forward enough to force t' nose cone out and, fortunately, t' parachute emerged and opened. But, matey, t' ejection charge was back blew a hole in t' aft airframe betwixt two fins. Begad! PML should mention in t' instructions t' avoid this problem by tucking the shock cord in t' parachute. Well, blow me down! I had t' completely replace this section (with no sympathy from PML, arrr, I might add,) but flies again beautifully. Well, arrr, blow me down!

• 4 ½ points:: Very Good, me hearties, me hearties, needs an alternate paint scheme, arrr, me hearties, and better instructions for use o' t' piston ejection (see above. )

You might remember in t' Persian Gulf War one o' t' most newsworthy items to surface was t' Patriot missile. Begad! Begad! Never before had we tried t' knock out enemy missiles like Iraq’s Scuds with another missile. Aye aye! T' technology was revealed after t' war t' be nay as good as they thought, but it spurred a whole new interest in this defense system. T' entire system has been upgraded and t' missile is now more accurate than ever. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! O' course, arrr, you have t' realize that this is like tryin' t' stop a bullet flyin' through t' air with another flyin' bullet!