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Kit cost $150 and comes in two big bags.
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Contents of bags.
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All fin surfaces which will be epoxied must be sanded to roughen the surface.
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Also, all body tubes must be sanded both inside and outside where epoxy comes in contact.
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The CPR3000 system from PML. This is the Dual Deployment kit. I didn't know that were so many parts. Now I know why is cost $105!!
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For engine retention I am using the old T nut and screw drilled into the boat tail section trick.
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The 54mm engine mother tube and centering ring. The strap is cut down from its original length when using the CPR option. The boat tail is not yet epoxied.
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Once the motor mount assembly is glued in the bottom tube, the coupler and strap are epoxied. Less than 1/2 the recommend length of the coupler is in the tube but PML says is it OK.
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Aft section of CPR unit under construction.
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Aft section's strap is being glued and fore section under construction.
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The two CPR sections done and ready to be epoxied into the body tubes.
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The long tedious job of gluing the fins on is next.
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2 fins attached with fillets being added.
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The aft CPR unit is now epoxied in the aft body tube.
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The Black Brant X will hopefully fly on a J350 engine which requires a 38/720 engine casing shown above. This isn't your son's engine!
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Three fins on and one piston complete. I sure do have a messy work area, don't I?
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The two charge holders that hold the black powder to eject both chutes.
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The CPR unit is installed in both main tubes along with the ejection pistons.
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Rocket still needs alot of work but I wanted to take a picture to show how big it is.
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Now comes the really tedious job of epoxing all the fin/body tube/engine tube joints (16 contact areas).
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The T-nuts being epoxied into the boat tail section. Masking tape covers up the screw holes to protect them.
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The method I plan to use to retain the motor. The clamp is a sink clamp; screen door clamps work too for smaller rockets.
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The top section's canard fins will be installed now.
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All 4 canard fins installed and epoxy fillets are being added.
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The top section is done, just needs sanding and paint.
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The bottom section is done, just needs sanding and paint.
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The bottom launch lug is put on. I want to add more epoxy to the fillets. Then I can sand this unit and paint it.
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The hole to mount the altimeter on/off switch is being cut here in the forward section.
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The PML Co-Pilot Altimeter! The symbol of an advanced rocketeer! 8-)
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Back side of altimeter showing connection points. Click here to see the altimeter being test fired.
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To protect the altimeter switch from being bumped in flight turning it off, I installed a metal guard over the switch.
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After the rocket was completed, I measured the center of gravity and found it wasn't 1 caliper (4") before the CP so I added some nose cone weight to shift the CG forward 2".
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The Black Brant X all finished and ready to be painted.
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The rocket all done. Click here to see launch day photos.
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