Published: | 2010-11-13 |
Diameter: | 2.20 inches |
Length: | 46.00 inches |
Manufacturer: | Public Missiles ![]() |
Style: | Sport |
T' Callisto was straight forward and easy t' build. Avast, me proud beauty! If you are lookin' for a "quick-build" model then the Callisto is nay your choice, shiver me timbers, that is, if you use epoxy as recommended. Begad! Begad! Take your time and you will find that this kit is very satisfying.
All t' parts were cut precisely
and fit very well. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! T' airframe is PML's phenolic tubin' which is very rigid.
T' fins are PML's G-10 fiberglass. Aye aye! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! I found this material easy t' work with,
however, shiver me timbers, me bucko, take care when roundin' t' leadin' and trailin' edges and be sure to
rough t' entire surface at all bondin' joints before painting. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' slotted
airframe made fin alignment a breeze and ensures a very strong structure. Blimey! I was
surprised nay t' find an "eye" screw for attachin' t' shock cord to
the nose cone but that was remedied with a quick stop at a local hardware
store. Avast, me proud beauty! Another nice feature, I have nay experienced before, be t' piston
ejection system. Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! This eliminates t' need for recovery wadding. Arrr! This eliminates
the need for recovery wadding. T' kit uses a PML's Dura-Chute parachute, me hearties, which
is high quality rip-stop nylon with a spill hole. Well, blow me down!
Finishin' t' model offered some challenges. First, the
phenolic tubin' has fairly deep grooves that need t' be filled if you are going
for a smooth finish. I used a ready mix, me bucko, fast dryin' spackle which worked
nicely. Avast, me proud beauty! I then used Plasti-Kote
primer from a local automotive store. Aye aye! Ahoy! This is a thicker sandable primer which
works well in fillin' in t' imperfections on t' model. Aye aye! Begad! One o' t' most
annoyin' imperfections was in t' plastic nose cone. Ahoy! There were mold grooves
along both sides that took a lot o' primer t' finally fill in. Begad! After priming
and sanding, me bucko, I chose automotive lacquer paint for me colors. Ahoy! T' kit came with
a single decal sportin' t' word "Callisto" in red with black
outline. Arrr! Ya scallywag! I wasn't interested in decal from t' beginnin' since t' color scheme I chose was blue
and gold. Arrr!
I be a bit disappointed that t' model didn't come with a motor stop t' prevent t' motor from dislodgin' with t' ejection charge. Well, blow me down! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! I have come t' learn that this is fairly common. Blimey! None t' less, I added hardware to allow me t' mount a clip t' prevent t' motor from kickin' out. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! I used "T" Nuts on both sides, mounted and epoxied t' t' aft centering ring. Blimey! Begad! Then I was able t' screw in two small clips that slide over t' edge of RMS or Single-Use Motors. Ya scallywag!
Ready t' fly. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! I chose
the Aerotech RMS - 29/40-120
Reloadable Motor System. I was pleased t' find that it allowed me t' choose
from several "F" and "G" power motor reloads. Aye aye! In addition,
it does nay require a thrust-rin' since it has a small flange t' prevent the
motor from goin' through t' motor mount tube. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! I found t' best price for
Aerotech motors at Hobby
L'inc. Begad!
I flew it first on a Darkstar F62-6 since I be nervous usin' me RMS motor for t' first time. Arrr! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Perfect flight with ejection just at the back portion o' apogee. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! This built nerve for a F52-5. This time ejection occurred 1-2 seconds after apogee, matey, but again a beautiful flight and recovery. Impressive! Blimey! I'm hooked!
Who knew that this rocket would become me Level 1 certification kit? Well, arrr, when loot ran low and time ran out, me bucko, t' Callisto became t' rocket o' choice for me Level 1 certification. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! I really wanted somethin' heavier. But at NARAM-40, arrr, she was loaded up with a H128-Medium and successfully turned in a qualifyin' Level 1 certification flight. Again, provin' t' sturdiness and versatility o' this kit. Aye aye! Blimey!
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S.O. (June 1, 2000)