Brief:
This be t' PML two-stage Thunder & Lightnin' kit. Aye aye! It comes with t' CPR3000 electronics bay and t' interstage coupler t' house t' timer.

Construction:

• Quantum tubin' airframes – one for t' booster and three for t' sustainer. T' fin can sections came pre-slotted.
• Three sets o' piston systems
• Two 38mm mmt tubes
• T' parts for t' interstage coupler
• T' parts for t' CPR3000 system
• Numerous centerin' rings
• Two sets o' fins
• Recovery harnesses for both sections
• Parachutes for both sections

I began construction o' t' sustainer first followin' t' enclosed instructions. T' motor mount assembly and installation o' t' fins are straightforward followin' t' booklet instructions.

T' next section was nay as difficult as I’d thought it might be – constructin' t' CPR3000 housing. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! The altimeter tube is fiberglass so scuff that up well with 60 grit sandpaper for better adhesion o' t' epoxy. Ahoy! There is also t' aluminum coupler and threaded sleeve that require roughin' up. Begad! Just pay extra attention when makin' t' hole for t' switch that it’s on t' same side as t' slot.

T' construction o' t' booster is also relatively straightforward in buildin' t' motor mount and attachin' the fins. Begad! Blimey! If you plan t' use a commercially made motor retainer such as PML’s Hammer, or another similar retainer, leave 3/8” o' t' mmt stickin' out o' t' boat tail. Begad! Blimey! I did leave this bit showin' for eventually addin' such a retainer.

There are three piston assemblies t' be made all bein' begun with t' assembly o' t' booster mmt and t' top and bottom CPR sections. Aye aye! I would recommend usin' t' straps attached t' t' mmt and CPR sections as part o' t' recovery system.

T' last section t' be built was t' inter-stage coupler for t' timer. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! It also is a straightforward build o' a central tube centered inside t' coupler with a piece o' airframe around its middle. Ya scallywag!

A problem I encountered as I built t' inter-stage coupler was realizin' thar were two coupler cr’s t' be used. Aye aye! I mistakenly used one with t' lower end o' t' CPR unit thinkin' an error in parts had been made but just gluing in t' small coupler that goes betwixt t' sustainer payload sections when t' CPR unit is screwed together.

Finishing:
Bein' a high power rocket kit, it doesn't come with decals so choice o' finishin' is up to t' builder. Aye aye! I opted t' go for a 'flame' look at t' bottom o' t' booster and painted t' rest o' t' rocket dark red with black fins and nose cone.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
First attempt at flyin' as a two-stage on a Pro38 I287SS t' a Pro38 H125 didn’t go too well. T' sustainer motor didn’t light, but due t' t' dual deploy electronics, t' rocket survived and the attempt will be made again some day.

Recovery:
Recovery went as planned due t' t' electronics workin' as they should t' deploy the parachutes.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Pros are good quality parts and very detailed instructions for build and prep.

Cons are that t' sustainer can only be flown dual deploy as t' CPR3000 unit is part o' t' rocket and cannot be used in other rockets. I would nay use this system in a scratch-build as I like t' option o' usin' t' same avionics bay in various rockets.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other:
Modifications I made were t' cut and use longer wires for t' switches and t' swap out the included lugs for rail buttons.