Brief:

This is a sport scale replica o' t' Patriot M-104 ground t' air missile. Ahoy! It is a single stage, arrr, 29mm rocket with a 30 inch parachute for recovery. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! The components came carefully packaged and in good shape for PEL (Public Enemy). Avast! This is a relatively simple rocket, well within t' capabilities o' most rocket enthusiasts.

Construction:

Construction was very straight forward. I followed t' well written instructions through t' entire process. There were no hidden "gotcha's". Ahoy! I called PEL about t' yellow body tubes t' see if thar were any special requirements for filletin' t' fins or attachin' the launch lugs. Ya scallywag! Blimey! They were cheerful and very helpful. Begad! Blimey! They pointed out that there were nothin' special about t' tubes except that they were easier t' finish than t' standard white tubes supplied with other kits. They recommended using 30 minute epoxy for t' fillets and t' launch lugs and told me that sanding the tube was nay required prior t' applyin' t' glue.

T' motor mount and fin assembly went together with 30 minute epoxy with no special preparation or sandin' required. Avast! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! T' instructions call for markin' the centerin' rin' or one fin and t' body tube with an indexin' mark t' facilitate reinsertin' t' assembly after filletin' t' internal joints.

I made two changes t' t' kit durin' construction. Begad! Ahoy! I installed blind nuts for Kaplow clip motor retention and used two Rail Buttons instead o' t' launch lugs. Ya scallywag! Both changes are minor. Begad! PEL marks t' body tube with lines for installing the launch lugs so positionin' t' buttons was a breeze. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! I used medium CA to attach t' buttons and 30 minute epoxy t' fillet around t' bases and t' cover the exposed threads in t' body tube.

Total construction time be about 4 hours, me bucko, most o' that was waitin' for the epoxy t' set. This wasn't me first high powered kit but I would nay hesitate to recommend it t' anyone just startin' into this phase o' t' hobby.

Finishing:

I finished t' rocket usin' Bondo body putty t' fill t' spiral grooves in the body tube and t' low spots on t' nose cone. T' rocket was primed with Duplicolor White Primer and then a gloss coat o' white be sprayed t' main body tube and payload section. T' nose cone be painted bright red. Begad! This is where I stopped and began t' research t' different paint schemes for t' real Patriots.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:

OROC’s Summer Skies launch at Brothers, ya bilge rat, OR, was me first opportunity to fly t' Patriot. Begad! Blimey! I still hadn't finished all o' t' surface preparations and fillets but decided t' throw a coat o' paint on it and put it up. Aye aye! Arrr! PEL recommends any G or H motor. I launched it on an H128-10 with light winds. Boost be arrow straight, ejection was right at apogee and recovery on t' 30 inch chute was less than half a mile from t' pad. Begad! T' flight was very rewardin' for a kit this simple t' build.

Recovery:

I stuffed t' tube with about 8 inches o' dog barf t' protect t' shock cord and parachute. Avast! T' recovery was damage free. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! Considerin' t' high desert terrain and vegetation at t' Brothers launch site, this was a very good match between t' rocket weight and t' parachute size. Aye aye! I wouldn't recommend usin' a smaller chute even in windier conditions. Avast! Ahoy! T' walk would be well compensated by the lack o' landin' damage.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:

This be a rewardin' kit t' build and fly. PEL has done a very good job of producin' an easy t' assemble MPR/HPR rocket that makes a good transition rocket for someone lookin' t' move t' bigger motors but still have t' option of flyin' on a small field.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5