Brief:
This is a simple, high reliability, and flexible usage sport flier from DG&A. It is perfect for mid or high power applications and different sized fields. It is an easy rocket to certify L1 on due to the continuing quality of DG&A kits. It is a simple 3FNC rocket with parachute deployment. It is also a kit that can be easily modified to your needs with DG&A components available through the web site. Danny is also offering rail buttons in red, white, and blue now, so you can have a patriotic guidance system included with your kit.

Construction:
My DG&A Predator came with the basics: Plastic nose cone, 2.56" Kraft cardboard tubing, 36" Re-inforced rip-stop nylon parachute, 29mm motor mount 12" 2 high strength plywood centering rings, 3 Baltic birch 5 ply fins, Recovery webbing/harness, Vinyl cut decals, Body tube pre-marked for fins, Easy to follow instructions, Fin Alignment guide, Painting guide

The directions are easy to understand and include pictures. The assembly order is easy to follow for the beginner or the experienced rocketeer. There is a piece of paper included that will serve as a fin alignment guide for fin attachment. You have to cut out the slots on the body tube for the fins to go through. The fins are then attached to the motor tube between the 2 centering rings.

I opted to make 2 design changes in the rocket. I got a 12" piece of body tube and 2 extra couplers and bulkheads from Danny. I used the extra tube to make an anti-zipper fin can, per Stu Barrett's method. I extended the pre-marked fin slots to the back of the tube. I then assembled the motor mount. Next I epoxied the fins to the motor mount using 3 inch fiberglass tape, 2 layers, and 1/2 hour epoxy. This was very strong. I then assembled the bulkhead by gluing the bulkplate into the coupler. Next I drilled 6 1/4 inch holes into the bulkplate after the glue dried. I slid the motor mount into the body tube and epoxied it in place. The aft end of the motor tube sticks out about 3 inches from the end of the fin can. I wrapped 4 layers of 1/2 inch 6 ounce glass tape around the aft end of the body tube to cover up the three cuts. I then put 3 layers of 3 inch glass tape on the front end of the tube in front of the fins. Fillets were then added to the fins. Finally, I glued the bulkhead in place.

I am going to be flying this rocket with the I200's and H268's, so it needs to be strong. Plus, by building a fin can, you can add what ever length body tube to the top for various performance features. You can put a short tube or a real long tube with an altimeter bay on it. More rocket for less money!

Next I made another bulkhead, attached the webbing to it, and glued it in the forward end of the main body tube. the webbing will just hang out the back end of the main tube. I put a screw through the top of the main body tube to hold the nose cone on, it is easier to swap it with another rocket this way instead of epoxying it in. That way, if you lose another nose cone for the same size, you can just swap.

I used NHP 5 and 30 minute epoxy for most of the construction. I used West Systems resin for the glass. The fiberglass tape came from the local hobby shop. I used a sanding block to sand the finish, and Krylon paints. I bought some Mono-Kote and applied the decals to that, and then put them on the rocket for effect.

Finishing:
I am not the best painter, so there is always room improvement on my finish. The finish came out pretty glossy, and I am going to wait until it flies well before I finish painting. The main tube is bare, but the fin can is painted.

I used the included pattern to paint a diagonal pattern on the tubes that is the line between the dual color model Danny has. I opted to paint the kit black, white, and red so mine is a little different. You can do what you think looks good. The vinyl decals are really nice.

You can put a wrap of 3/4 ounce glass on and sand it out and it will get rid of the small lines in the tube, they don't bother me so I left them. Danny's model looks great up close at the launches, the red and white are sharp.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
I went to a small non club launch we had on the first. I put this rocket through it's paces with a first flight on a G-64(M) to check stability and then when it flew tried and true, I decided it was time to hit it with the big stuff. It flew perfect on the G-64 with just a slight weathercock into the 10 MPH winds and the 35 degree temperature. It laid out horizontal at apogee into the winds drifting down. Due to the winds, I opted for a 14 inch X-form chute from my buddy Chad Ellis. It brought it down quick and close, no damage, about a 1000 foot flight.

I then loaded it up with a H-268R and then an I-200. These are the big 29/360 motors that have 320 and 330 N respectively. That Redline lit and boom! it was out of sight in no time. That huge Redline flame was great. It must have gone ~4000 feet, we lost sight of it. It took it about 5 minutes to come down and drifted about 1/4 mile. Great flight, no damage, took the motor in stride. I then loaded it back up with the I-200(M) and BOOM! same result, way out of sight. It drifted to almost the same spot. Great flights on a great rocket. I wish Danny was there to see.

The anti-zipper does not really require wadding, as it acts like a baffle. I did put a little cellulose insulation in for good measure. I have not outfitted this rocket with a slimline yet, I used tape for retention. The only con about the rocket is I wish I had put a 38mm in it!

Recovery:
The flight recovery was great. I only added a smaller chute due to the winds and the altitude obtained. There was no damage at all to the rocket.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
The main pro for this kit is the quality of materials. They are light enough for mid-power fliers, but heavy duty to take the HPR stuff as well. The kit is a no-brainer to put together, due to the quality of the instructions. The large vinyl decals are also a big plus, they look great on the kit. The only one con has been fixed, Danny upgraded all the 2.56" kits to 3.00". It is also upgraded to a 38mm mount.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5