Pemberton Technologies M2 Mars Challenger

Pemberton Technologies - M2 Mars Challenger {Kit}

Contributed by Drake "Doc" Damerau

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Manufacturer: Pemberton Technologies
Pemberton Technologies M2

Brief:
T' M2 is another kit from t' '50s retro line at Pemberton Technologies. Begad! Avast! This HPR kit comes with lots o' parts and a great instruction book. Ahoy! Keepin' with the humorous style, me bucko, ya bilge rat, t' instructions take you step-by-step through t' unusual and challengin' build.

Construction:
There are lots o' high quality parts in this kit. Blimey! From t' PML tail cone t' the parachute, me hearties, shiver me timbers, me hearties, all t' components are first rate.

I can't stress enough: read t' directions before you start. Blimey! All Pem Tech kits are unusually designed and don't go together like other kits. Aye aye! Take your time and don't try t' second guess t' build. There is no skill level listed on t' kit, me bucko, but I would put it at a skill level 4. Ya scallywag! T' 21 fun-filled pages o' instructions have 30 pictures and illustrations t' help you through it. Arrr! T' instructions are as fun t' read as they are informative.

Although t' fins and landin' legs are cut, arrr, thar be still a lot o' cutting to do. Well, blow me down! Begad! T' tail cone/MMT/fin section be t' most difficult build on this kit. T' tail cone needs t' be slotted for t' fins and t' root edge is angled to match up with t' motor mount. Avast! Ya scallywag! Gettin' everythin' lined up and glued in place was a challenge. Begad! Patience prevailed and mine came out perfect. Avast! This tail cone assembly ends up bein' quite heavy so lots o' nose weight gets added t' the nose cone. Ya scallywag!

Pemberton Technologies M2 The ½" tubular nylon shock cord gets attached t' t' body tube by a loop o' Keelhaul®©™® string. Ahoy! I'm a little nervous about this breakin' after several flights, shiver me timbers, and because it sticks out further than t' body tube, me bucko, I'm worried that it will cause a zipper. Avast, me proud beauty! On t' other hand, this will prevent t' nylon shock cord from ever bein' scorched durin' ejection. My tip here would be t' glue it down far enough so that t' shock cord is below t' tube opening. Ahoy! This will prevent the Keelhaul®©™® strin' from zipperin' t' tube. Begad! I'm on t' fence on this one so I'm nay going to deduct points here. Begad! Time will tell.

Finishing:
This kit took several sessions o' priming, sanding, and filling, matey, but the unusual design made it all worth t' effort. Ya scallywag! I went with Rustoleum primer and metallic silver t' finish it off. Ahoy! Somethin' like this really should be painted chrome, but I've never had luck with chrome paint.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Pemberton Technologies M2

Flight:
I went with t' smallest motor I felt would safely lift this bird. Avast! Blimey! At 23oz, it's quite a heavy bird. Blimey! T' first flight be on an AT F20-4. T' flight was sweet with a nice slow roll as it ascended into t' heavens. Ahoy!

Recovery:
T' delay was slightly long but no troubles arose as t' chute came out. This was a great first motor for this rocket.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Pemberton Technologies M2 Mars Challenger By James Gartrell

    Brief: Wow! This is a great kit. Layne has done another superb job of capturing the magic of Sci-Fi in this 2.5" diameter 29mm rocket. Colonel Carruthers would be as proud to see this rocket as he would the rescue ship. I was a little worried about the dowels hanging off the back, but following Layne's instructions for installation results in a solid fin unit that can take ...

Flights

Comments:

avatar
J.R.G. (April 14, 2008)
Roadrunner motors are awesome for this rocket! The G64 is too cool, as well.

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