Photo courtesy of PML

Brief:
Single-staged HPR using PML's Quantum Tubing. Used for my Level 1 certification

Construction:
I purchased the kit from Al's Hobbies, in Elmhurst, IL, for about $85. Everything was in good condition: 4 fins, body tube, payload section, bulkhead, 2 3/8" brass lugs, plastic nose cone, 47" chute, tubular nylon shock cord, piston ejection system, motor mount assembly, and a partridge in a pear tree.

Very clear instructions -- more descriptive than some Estes kits I've built. The only real problem I had was with the tube coupler and the piston system. The coupler was too loose (had to coat it with some CA) and the piston was too tight (needed some sanding). If you're adding a motor retention system (PML kits don't include them) do it before you install the motor mount, otherwise you'll never be able to get the aft centering ring off to add fillets to the inside of the tube. PML has some jackass method for removing the ring using scotch tape, but it's a total joke. Besides those two issues, the kit was a joy to build. Everything fit together perfectly. There are two things I hate in the world: filling spiral grooves and filling the wood grain on fins. Well, the Quantum Tube has no groove and the fins are G10 fiberglass. The fins don't really need to be shaped either since their so thin, plus G10 is a pain to sand anyway. What you end up with is a really solid rocket. PML kits end up being a little heavier than offerings from other companies, but their ruggedness is well worth the extra weight.

Finishing:
I wasn't interested so much in creating an accurate scale replica, so I used my own idea for finishing. I sanded the whole rocket with 320 grit sandpaper and hit it with a coat of Krylon sandable grey primer, sanded out any flaws I missed, and hit it with primer again. I then gave the entire rocket two coats of Krylon gloss red, let it dry, and painted the nose cone and one fin with two coats of gloss black. The kit didn't include any decals so I made my own using some glossy adhesive transparency paper I purchased from an art supply store. I printed out some of my band's logos and applied them to the fins. Looks pretty swank.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
I brought the rocket Tripoli Wisconsin's club launch on August 28th, 2000 -- hoping to go for my Level 1 cert. After finding a NAR prefect, I filled out the paperwork and loaded her up with an Aerotech H73 Blackjack reload. PML's Web site says the H73 will take it up to about 980 ft. -- perfect -- I didn't want this thing to go too high being that it was my first HP launch. I jammed in an ignitor, set it up on the pad, and waited for the countdown. This thing took off sloooowwwwly, but straight as an arrow even in 10mph winds. The chute opened right after apogee and it came down pretty fast into a shrub... no damage though.. these kits are tough.

Recovery:
The parachute is great. Perfect size for this rocket. PML chutes have spill holes which really reduce drift (and walking distance). The piston system is fantastic as well; very reliable.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
Great first HPR. I'm convinced that the minor issues I had with the kit were just flukes. I didn't have a doubt in my mind that I would certify on the first try with this rocket. Don't know if I'll ever be able to go back to plywood and cardboard.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5