Public Missiles Ltd. Ariel mini-review

[brianc]

Some of you might remember my earlier poll, asking about the popularity of
the PML Ariel.

https://rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10905

Well, after all the hurricanes settled down, I was finally able to order one. I still
have to decide on a paint scheme, but principle construction was finished over
the past weekend. This thing nearly built itself! Here's a mini-review.

 

[brianc]

The Ariel is a basic 3FNC with piston ejection and a spacious payload bay. It
features G10 fins, pre-slotted Quantum Tubing, and a plastic nose cone. All
hardware and 36 inch nylon chute is also included. The only things missing
were motor and nose cone retention. I can understand not including motor
retention, as most will install their favorite system. But, three 6x3/8 machines
screws (or even the PML reusable rivets) certainly wouldn't add much cost to the kit...

 

[brianc]

The PML Kwik Switch 2000 motor mount assembly was what attracted
me to the PML sport line. This would allow for easily swapping 29mm, 38mm
or 54mm motors providing a great deal of flexibility. I'll be flying G80's
initially, and doubt I'll be flying 54mm anytime soon. But a Pro38 case just
might be on the Christmas list.

 

[brianc]

The bulkheads and centering rings are precision cut, requiring little sanding
to fit the motor tubes or airframe. The pre-cut fin slots were equally accurate.
Besides a light scuffing of the QT for epoxy joints, the only substantial
sanding was to the ejection piston.

 

[brianc]

The large payload bay can be flown empty, or put to good use with
a simple altimeter, or even dual deployment experiments. There's lots
of room and many possibilities.

 

[brianc]

Although the construction of the Ariel was quick and easy, I did find
the ol' Estes fin alignment guide to be helpful.

 

[brianc]

With the 3 inch airframe and a 54mm mother tube, there's not much
room to make the internal fin fillets. I used a long BBQ skewer to drop
in the epoxy and smooth the fillets.

PML sells the Positive Motor Retention kit with 1/4” anchor inserts, but
the aft CR is only 3/8” wide. I was concerned with the lack of wood to
hold that kit, so I installed 6-32 T-nuts to hold 'Kaplow Klips'. I still had
to bend the backing plates a bit to make them fit.

 

[brianc]

I plan to have this rocket painted and ready for the NEFAR Bunnell Blast
in November.

https://www.nefar.net/schedule.html

Hopefully, I can also follow-up with some great flight photos. Who
knows, maybe I'll even go for my L1 that week-end.

If you're looking for a easy to assemble rocket with classic lines and lots of
versatility, check out the PML Ariel!

 

[KarlD]

Originally posted by brianc
Although the construction of the Ariel was quick and easy, I did find
the ol' Estes fin alignment guide to be helpful.

That Estes Fin Alignment Guide is one handy tool! Use mine all the time!

 

[n3tjm]

My question is, does paint stick to that plastic tube?

 

[ggoldy]

Originally posted by n3tjm
My question is, does paint stick to that plastic tube?

It will if you rough(buff) it up a bit.
Bunnel...as in Florida? Hmmm, 6-8 hours away. Will there be a motor vender on site? My Ariel is squirming to fly LOL

Gary

 

[brianc]

Originally posted by GGoldy
Bunnel...as in Florida? Hmmm, 6-8 hours away. Will there be a motor vender
on site?

Yup. See the NEFAR website I posted earlier (backup to the homepage) for maps and such.

Dennis from <a href="https://www.newhorizonshobbies.com/">New Horizions Hobbies</a> is usually onsite. IIRC, last month he said he'd
be back for the Blast, but double check.

This is a two day event, so it might be worthwhile for you to drive over and grab
a cheap motel for the night!

 

[brianc]

Originally posted by GGoldy
My Ariel is squirming to fly

Got a picture of your Ariel? (this is TRF, afterall...)

I still need to determine a paint scheme, and I wouldn't want to
inadvertently duplicate yours.

 

[astrowolf67]

Originally posted by n3tjm
My question is, does paint stick to that plastic tube?

Of the two PML kits I've built, AND painted (currently finishing up a 38mm Callisto), I've had no problems. I sand pretty good with 280 grit, prime, sand again, and prime again, then sand with 350-400, prime, and sand one more time with 400. Then paint away.

Great review of the Ariel Brian!!

 

[ggoldy]

Northwest Florida Ariel

 

[brianc]

Originally posted by brianc
I installed 6-32 T-nuts to hold 'Kaplow Klips'.

Here's a shot of the clips holding a G80.

 

[brianc]

Made it out to the NEFAR Bunnell Blast today and the Ariel
got her maiden flight on an AeroTech G80-7.

This is a shot on pad. If you look closely, just to the right, you
can see a puff of smoke from the ignitor/motor...

That's as much of the lift-off I could capture!




EDIT- corrected delay time.

 

[brianc]

Here's an interesting view of the chute deploying.

 

[brianc]

This is actually a composite shot (you can see the line).

I caught two pics of the recovery that were just begging to
be combined back into a single frame....

 

[n3tjm]

Nice. You can just see the purple flame starting to come out of that G80 . Was it a -4 or -7? or was -6 the actual time you got out of it?

 

[brianc]

Overall, this first flight was great. The PML datasheet says Ariel should
get 700+ feet on the G80 and it was right on the money.

The wind was blowing about 10mph, but I only had to walk about
50 yards down range. The spillhole in the stock 36" chute helped to
bring it down pretty quick. If you're flying on anything but soft
sod, I'd recommend an upgrade to slow things down a bit.

Can't wait to stuff an H into this one!

 

[brianc]

Originally posted by n3tjm
Was it a -4 or -7? or was -6 the actual time you got out of it?

OOPS! Typo. It was a -7 (I've edited the original post). It did seem to be
about six seconds, but I didn't clock it. Either way, it was still near apogee.