Public Missiles - Sudden Rush

Public Missiles Sudden Rush

Public Missiles - Sudden Rush

Contributed by Barry Lynch

Manufacturer:

Public Missiles

Public Missiles - Sudden Rush review is provided courtesy of:

PML’s Sudden Rush with CPR 2000

Assembly, CPR 2000 Information, Kwik-Switch 2000 Information

PML's Close Proximity Recovery (CPR) 2000 parts with altimeter

My first attempt at dual deployment came in the form of Public Missiles' Sudden Rush kit featuring the new Quantum Tube airframe. I had previously purchased an Adept ALTS2 altimeter in hopes of starting a dual deployment vehicle from scratch but after much head scratching, I decided to use a pre-engineered kit such as the Sudden Rush to learn the basics.

Unfortunately, the Close Proximity Recovery (CPR) 2000 system included in the Sudden Rush kit only works with the Transolve P5, P6 or the Adept ALTS-25 altimeter in most cases, including mine. The hole patterns are the same but the components on my altimeter interfered with the fit.

Applying epoxy to the motor mount

The CPR 2000 altimeter bay is a masterpiece of miniaturization. If you need a 9 volt battery with your altimeter, you won’t be using it here. Everything resides in a 4" long 38mm BT section. The system requires 2 Robby's Rockets Loadable Ejection Systems (LES) units. The CPR system should have a method of arming the ejection charges after insertion of the CPR unit into the rocket – but it doesn't say so in the directions. As usual, I find myself working late and press on with the kit's construction. There should be more documentation on the CPR 2000 both in the advertising and in the actual construction. Unless you have seen it, it is difficult to imagine how it works.

This is my second kit using the PML Kwik-Switch 2000 motor mounting system. If you want the ability to quickly change from 29mm to 38mm to 54mm motors without adapters, this is for you.

The instructions are straight forward but I still wonder why the motor tube needs to extend ½ " beyond the tailcone. The directions call for internal epoxy fillets to each fin. Even with a long thin stick this is difficult to do without epoxying up the motor tube.

Syrofoam template is use to align the fins accurately

I covered the body tube with a plastic bag to keep the mess workable. Even so, when it came to dry fitting the tailcone on, it only got to within ¼" of the main body tube before becoming permanently lodged.

Note the blue painter’s masking tape. This tape works well with epoxy and can be easily removed even after the epoxy sets.

For fin alignment, I used a styrofoam template cut out during the construction of another vehicle. This is not my idea, but I like it and thought you may want to try it as well.

Sudden Rush sitting in primer

The rest of the kit went together easily as described in the directions. The Quantum Tube finish is smooth and cool to the touch. The first time you screw the drogue recovery airframe into the main recovery airframe, you will fall in love with the CPR 2000 system. There is not much room in the drogue recovery airframe so pack your chute and wadding carefully.

My Transolve P5 altimeter arrived shortly after writing this piece. Connecting it to the LES units and to the external switch Transolve provided takes a steady hand and a lot of patience. There isn't enough room in the CPR-2000 for much wiring.

To retrofit the on/off switch into the Sudden Rush, I had to cut a slot forward of the connection ring, run a connector (provided) into the CPR-2000 bay via a slot that had to be dug into the CPR connection ring.

In order not to tear out this connection, I "pinned" the CPR-2000 into the forward connection ring with 2 finishing nails so it would not turn when screwing the aft end of the rocket tight.

This kit taught me a lot about dual deployment. I understand Transolve is out with their new P6 altimeter that has connections on it for the two LES units and the kill switch. This will make the CPR-2000 even easier to use.

This is my second PML kit but not my last. They seem to be well engineered and arrive very quickly after ordering. All in all, I learned enough to scratch build a dual deployment rocket to use the ALT-2 altimeter purchased earlier – but that is another story.

Other Reviews

Public Missiles Sudden Rush By Jay Ward
Electronics only recovery using the new Close Proximity Recovery System. Apogee drogue with main parachute at user selected altitude. PML Quantum tubing with G10 glass fins make this three fin boatailed beauty darned near indestructible. This is a fairly sophisticated kit consisting of over 50 parts. Three sections of Quantum tubing, one slotted for fins, one main chute and one ...

Flights

Comments:

B.O'B. (January 1, 2001)

I purchased and built the Sudden Rush w/CPR3000 twice now. This is a wonderful kit and a great value. I recommend taking your time to give it the kind of clean, attractive finish this rocket deserves. The Quantum Tube makes this easy (I also HIGHLY recommend some kind of "arm before flight" flag so that maybe you won't end up purchasing a second kit as I have). The Sudden Rush is a delightfully technical, well thought out kit that is a joy to build, fly and recover. The instructions are lengthy and complete. You will have to do a little thinking about motor retention. On my first bird I used blind nuts on the aft centering ring of the 38mm adapter. This method worked fine as I didn't plan on ever using 54 motors. On the second build I used two Aeropack retainers with a slight tail cone modification. The 'Rush flies beautifully under I-211 power. I find the sight of this well finished rocket dual-deploying on a nice sunny day simply breath-taking. 5 out of 5 in all categories.

M.L. (February 1, 2001)

I built the PML Sudden Rush with CPR 3000 over Christmas. I installed a Transolve P6 using the existing PML hardware. This is an outstanding kit and flies great. I would however, recommend replacing the PML slide switch with something more substantial and/or less exposed. No switch trouble yet, but I know it will end up landing on the switch sooner or later.

K.D. (July 2, 2002)

I liked the looks of this kit from the first time I saw it. When I decided it was time to get my first HPR-only rocket, this is the one I went for. It was pretty straight-forward to construct, and also taught me a bit about building for dual deployment. I used it for my CAR level 2 and 3 flights at Roc Lake V, and it performed flawlessly. My only complaint is the Swik-Switch motor tubes are a bit on the short side. The casing for the Pro38 J300 was too long for me to use the slimline retainer I'd installed (by a mere 1/4"), forcing me to friction-fit the motor in place.

J.C. (June 19, 2004)

I didn't find this review to be accurate in regards to the ease of use of the CPR 3000 system. The aft ejection charge holder o-ring is a pain to install into the altimeter tube even with copious amounts of baby powder as recommended by PML. Also the holders don't do a good job of supporting the altimeter circuit board when you try to slide the altimeter into the tube. I would not recommend purchasing the rocket for the CPR 3000 system because your own altimeter bay would be a sturdier and easier way to go. As for the rocket itself, the review is very accurate. The Sudden Rush is a high flying, straight-as-an-arrow rocket that blows you away on an I motor. I can't wait to try her on J's and K's!

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