PML Matrix
- Length:
- 132cm / 52"
- Diameter:
- 8cm / 3.2"
- MMT:
- 38mm
- Status:
- Flown
Comments:
The Matrix is one of the newer kits from PML which I bought from Pete's Rockets, and is an interesting custom futuristic design. It comes complete with clear stick-on decals suggesting that it has a Plasma/Fusion Reactor and an Anti-matter Containment Field Generator. With a total of 12 glass-fibre fins (3 pairs of split-fins and 6 canards) you certainly get your money's worth of building time, but like all PML kits it is very easy to put together.
Construction is classic PML, with a 38mm MMT to which the Piston Strap is attached. Centering rings are attached, and then this MMT assembly is installed in the booster.
The rearmost fins are TTW to the MMT, but the 3 side fins and the 6 forward canard fins are all surface mount, fiting into routed grooves. All of the fins are .062 G10, and are fairly sturdy, but due to the span of the rear fins, they are a little bendy. I would expect fin flutter to be an issue on fast motors, but I have not noticed anthing untoward yet. The other issue is that the rear fins are quite pointy, so dig holes in everything during transport, so I'd advise making some foam pads or something to cover the fin ends. The best thing about the fins is that this rocket will stand up by itself!
On one flight the forward payload section smashed into the booster, presumably at ejection, which managed to knock 2 of the canard fins off. I think much of this is to do with the Quantum tubing that PML now uses. Some people swear by it, but I don't like it. I find that epoxy does not adhere as well as it does with Kraft/Phenolic airframes. So I recommend you make a template of the forward canard fins before you install them, so you can make a copy from some spare G10 or ply later.
An Aerotech H123 might be a little underpowered, so I would recommend either an H242 or a Pro38 2- or 3-Grain motor for a first flight. They do fly very well on Cesaroni Pro38 I287-SS motors.
Simulation:
Rocksim Simulation Results are available for this rocket. These results have been automatically generated from the Rocksim file.
Flight Log:
| Flt. | Date | Location | Motor(s) | Impulse | Recovery | Comments |
| 1 | Aug 2001 | Largs IRW | H242-T | 230 Ns | Parachute | Perfect first flight |
| 2 | Aug 2002 | Largs IRW | I357-T | 350 Ns | Parachute | Lost two of the small forward fins |
| 3 | Jun 2003 | UKRA 2003 | I287-SS | 486 Ns | Parachute | 4 Grain Pro38 Smokey Sam. 12 Sec delay predicted by Rocksim was a bit long though! |
| 4 | Sep 2003 | KLob 2003 | I287-SS | 486 Ns | Parachute | 4 Grain Pro38 Smokey Sam. 10 Sec delay seems about right. |
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