Public Missiles

Public Missiles Striker

Public Missiles - Striker

Contributed by Kathy Kippen

Construction Rating:
Flight Rating:
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Published:	2015-06-04
Manufacturer:	Public Missiles

Brief

A new offerin' from Public Missiles, shiver me timbers, LTD, t' Striker is a military missile style mid-powered rocket. Arrr! It’s a straightforward build with a few new features that include a recovery tube and a new style nosecone with t' strap imbedded in t' nosecone tip as well as new construction methods.

Components

Parts list:

1 pre-slotted main airframe
1 recovery tube
1 nose cone
3 fins
1 piston ejection kit:

1 piston tube
1 slotted bulk plate
1 ¾” wide piston strap
1 d-ring

1 parachute
1 motor mount tube
2 recovery tube t' airframe centerin' rings
1 airframe t' MMT centerin' ring
1 notched recovery tube t' MMT centerin' ring
1 shock cord
2 launch lugs
1 decal sheet
1 instruction booklet

Construction

To begin, I sanded all parts and test fit all components and scuffed t' QT inside and out for better epoxy adhesion. 30 minute epoxy was used for all construction.

First up be t' build t' motor mount as per t' booklet instructions notin' t' small notched centerin' rin' is at t' top and gets epoxied into t' bottom o' t' recovery tube in a later step. Add fillets after rin' is dry. Begad! Well, blow me down! After this is t' thread one end o' t' piston strap thru t' notch in t' upper CR and epoxy into place and let dry.

Next is mountin' t' recovery tube t' airframe CR’s onto t' recovery tube as directed in t' instructions, addin' t' required fillets around both rings and let set.

At this step o' t' instructions, read and reread t' make sure you fully understand t' next step as it has t' be completed in one quick motion after t' epoxy is spread inside t' airframe tube. Push t' recovery tube into t' top o' t' airframe and use t' nosecone t' push t' recovery assembly into place t' make sure t' nosecone seats against t' airframe properly. Blimey! Bein' afraid o' accidentally gluin' t' nosecone t' t' airframe, I carefully removed it and left t' airframe/recovery assembly t' set. I also used a long dowel t' do t' fillet on t' top CR bein' very careful nay t' get epoxy on t' inside o' t' airframe.

After that fillet has set up, matey, time t' install t' mmt as per t' instructions. Then on t' mountin' t' fins and addin' fillets inside and out. Avast, me proud beauty! PML suggests pourin' expandin' foam betwixt t' fin tabs. Begad! Blimey! I opted nay t' do this step and just installed t' bottom CR in place makin' sure it was seated against t' fin tabs.

Build t' piston as per t' instructions and connect up t' recovery strap t' t' d-rin' on t' piston. Ya scallywag! Attach t' parachute as indicated.

I used included rail guides and mounted them as per t' instructions for location.

Finishing

I lightly sanded t' QT airframe and nosecone then applied a base o' grey primer. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Then several light coats o' an Army green.

Construction Score: 5