Need opinion on next purchase……

[muleParticipant]

I want to build a bigger rocket, I am wanting to do L2 in the next couple of months…. I don’t have the time to do a scratch build, my in town schedule is too prohibitive.

I’m looking at another PML kit, this one is the Eclipse w/ the CPR E bay kit. It’s 3.9″x84″. The electronics bay is 18″ long w/ piston ejection on both ends. I figure I can mount two computers and machine a dual charge nozzle for it.

What do you guys think?
I need to order it this week to have it built by MHM.

[Tim Thomas]

8) Yea, that rocket will get it done! Just keep it under Mach 1. I’d say a nice 54/J275 Aero or a Pro J295 will be a great combo for the level 2 flight. The AMW 54/1050 loads, J480BB or the J370GG might be just the ticket. The Loki J525 White is also a very good motor. There is just a wide group of motors for that bird. And, it is not like that is the only rocket that you will ever own…A very good place to start! And fancy machine work is always a plus! 😉 I’d fly it 8)

[Anonymous]

My advice, which is worth what you paid for it 😉 is to make sure you have a 54mm motor mount – you can always use an adapter to go smaller. Also, speaking purely for myself, I am NOT a fan of Quantum tubing.

Finally, since Tim is to shy to say it, GLR / Tim Thomas have some excellent kits, too!

JW

[Conway StevensParticipant]

I think Quantum tube gets a bad wrap. LOTS stronger then most ever give credit to. I know of several that have flown it quite hard. I had a PML 4″ Endeavor that was Quantum Tube. I flew heck out of that rocket. It was my L1 and L2 rocket. Its flown on AT, AMW, CTI, Kosdon motors. It had 54mm mount with a 38mm adapter. The largest motor I flew it was on a K570 White Wolf. To well over 2 miles and faster then Mach 1. Worked great. Paints and finishes nice. Pretty stout stuff. (compared to most phenolic that is brittle and cardboard) There are some key things when building with it though. Use VERY coarse sandpaper to sand the fillet areas to get a good bond. Dont use piston ejection either as the tube does shrink and expand with temp change. Make all your joints a bit loose as well. You can always tape they up to be tighter.

As far as what I lean towards anymore is Composite materials like FWFG and CWFG.

Conway

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Finally, since Tim is too shy to say it, GLR / Tim Thomas have some excellent kits, too!

I did my L1 and L2 on GLR’s Vertical Assault, which comes in fiberglass now. Conway and James are going to sell Performance Rocketry kits soon. The G3 is good to go just about anywhere through L2, and also a minimum diameter 75mm M altitude monster. Mule, don’t limit yourself. I know nothing about Quantum tubing, except that I’ve seen it fail in one L2 attempt. However, whatever Conway says is true, but that’s probably due to his gifted building techniques. Listen to what these guys say… JW, Conway, JamesR, Art Hoag, Doug Gerrard, and others–even though they may disagree at times. A LOT OF EXPERIENCE, A LOT OF WISDOM! And, the thing that is really irritating if you’re looking for a direct way to any cert… there are so many ways to do things that there is no one way. 😯

[Tim Thomas]

8) I have 6 PML birds from a IO to the Little Luner. The 1/4 Patriot was my L1 bird. All kits have Pro’s and con’s. If I were doing my L2 today, I would use the GLR VA, in Dyna Wind. Put one of Jims’ units up front and a Pro J295 in the rear and touch her off! BUT.. PR has that , to die for, 1/2 Amraam, the Concept 54 in carbon, or the Broken Arrow with a bay. All of the big PML kits will do a great job! Then there is Polecat….the list goes on. Find one YOU like and build it right and you will be good to go. But most of all, have fun!

[muleParticipant]

As a second option I was looking at the Talon 3 in a DwFG, but didn’t like the 38mm mount. I want at least a 54, which is what the PML kit has. My PML kit pops epoxy off a 1/2″ spot on the fin opposit the shock cord mounting. It comes down on one fin every time.
I want one that will allow me to run down to a 38mm H & I or at least a 38mm I of some variety. The Talon 4 seems a bit big for me right now.

LD man, I took a look at that VA, nice kit. Actually, I think I like it the best now. I sat and looked at rockets for a couple hours total now….. I saw a VA fly (I think) at the March lauch and was really impressed. I have an I300 that would be fun to use on it….. We have a winner…..
I think I’ll go with the VA w/ DwFG.
Thanks for the input.

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Good choice! That’s my all-time favorite kit! 😉

[Tim Thomas]

8) I don’t think you can go wrong, Mine has gone as low as 460ft (don’t ask), and as high as 13,800. At MHM I am going to try the new K270. Fits the 54/2560 case. The grain is one piece with a weird offset. It burns with 100lb thrust for like, 6 days. If that is not enough I will switch to a L730. You might want to check Rays Fotos in 2-2 launch, my talon3 on an J825.

[Anonymous]

OK, I’ll bite – what is the K270? AT or AMW? That sounds pretty intriguing to me………………

[Author]

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