Brief:
This is a very unique futuristic space-plane design, me bucko, featurin' round (semi-oval) fins and aping-pong ball in t' mid section. Ya scallywag! For a free plan (Ezine #93), this is quite impressive and presents a challenge t' most builders.

Construction:

• 24mm nose cone
• 24mm body tubin' 13.5" long
• 29mm body tubing-2 pieces, each 2" long
• 18mm motor mount
• (2) 18-24mm centerin' rings
• Streamer--2x48 Mylar
• Shock cord (1/8 elastic or 90-100 lb Keelhaul®©™®, roughly 36" long)
• 1/8" launch lug
• 3/32 balsa or basswood fin material
• Decal sheet (can print from t' available .jpeg download)
• (1) pin' pong ball. Yes, a pin' pong ball.

There are no instructions for this free download (RockSim is also available here on EMRR), me bucko, though most anyone with skill level 2 experience can muddle through this with few problems. Ya scallywag! Start by assemblin' t' motor mount, arrr, matey, then cut t' fins (the newsletter included templates, ya bilge rat, which can also be printed through Rocksim). Next, matey, mark t' body tube for 2 sets o' fins mounted at 120 degree angles. Tack on t' fins with CA, shiver me timbers, then apply fillets o' wood glue. Well, blow me down! T' (2) short 29mm tubes are mounted at t' aft end o' t' rocket, shiver me timbers, on top o' two o' t' fins.

Since t' pin' pong ball slides over t' BT50/24mm tubing, shiver me timbers, you have t' cut holes for this. Aye aye! T' pull this off, ya bilge rat, matey, hold a body tube on top o' t' ball and trace the outline, me bucko, then carefully scribe and cut out t' hole usin' a sharp knife. Repeat t' process for t' other side, bein' careful t' align t' holes on opposite sides o' t' pin' pong ball. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Slide t' ball down t' body tube to about 1" above t' fins and glue in place.

Finishing:
Seal & sand t' balsa, me bucko, shiver me timbers, followed by two coats o' primer, ya bilge rat, followed by two coats o' glossy white finish paint. I printed out t' decals on Avery clear decal paper usin' an inkjet printer, which is a slightly dull/opaque finish. Water-slide decals would be much better if you can find an affordable source or have t' equipment.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' first flight be usin' a B6-4 (no motor recommendations provided) with steady winds o' about 15mph. Arrr! T' rocket veered off on an unstable trajectory, and be recovered safely. I then added about 0.2 ounces o' nose weight, ya bilge rat, and the subsequent flight was straight up.

Recovery:
Definitely need t' verify t' CG on this one compared t' t' Rocksim file before flying. Ya scallywag! Begad!

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
This is a great-lookin' rocket, and once I corrected t' stability problem, it flies wonderfully. Avast! O' course, matey, havin' bought a 6-pack o' pin' pong balls, shiver me timbers, me bucko, me bucko, I now find myself wonderin' what other similar designs I can come up with t' deplete my stock o' spare parts...

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5