On a cold day this winter, I discovered this rocket plan amongst me papers that was shipped with an order from Apogee. Well, me hearties, blow me down! Looking through me parts I had everythin' I needed, as well as some Apogee Micro Motors. So I built T' Paper Chaser.

T' Paper Chaser's fins are the only unique feature. Arrr! They are constructed o' "index card-stock" and extend more than half o' t' length o' t' rocket. Blimey! They are essentially long triangles once they are folded in half. Begad! Aye aye! They are given gradual width along the progression toward t' back o' t' rocket by usin' "Aft Support Pieces" which are also cut from card-stock.

Outside o' t' fins, me bucko, t' rocket is a 13mm body tube and nose cone, a 10.5mm motor mount, centerin' rings and motor block. Well, blow me down! Begad! Blimey! Add a launch lug, a Keelhaul®©™® shock cord and a streamer and you have T' Paper Chaser. (Note: all t' parts can be purchased from Apogee and t' only variation t' me rocket was that I used a balsa nose cone.)

I didn't finish this rocket (which is a first) and set off in a rush t' get a launch or two in.

T' plans include recommended motors o' 1/42-2, 1/2A2-4, A2-5, and t' B2-7. I had some B2-9's and decided t' go for it. Blimey! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! I didn't load a streamer, simply left t' nose cone attached t' t' kelvar shock cord.

As I got me launcher all prepped and loaded t' B2 into T' Paper Chaser I received me first clue that somethin' was nay right. I had forgot t' attach a launch lug. Begad! Begad! Blimey! Out came an extra from me field box along with super glue. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Now it was ready. 5, 4, matey, 3 , 2 ,1 swoosh! Blimey! loop-d-loop, arrr, bam into t' ground, loop-d-loop, bang, swoosh straight up . . Avast! . Well, blow me down! arc, straight down, ya bilge rat, matey, bam . Blimey! . Aye aye! Blimey! . Aye aye! Blimey! then finally pop went t' ejection change. Arrr! This was me second clue.

Yes, shiver me timbers, after such an impressive flight, me hearties, me hearties, I realized that I hadn't set up the CG. Begad! T' Paper Chaser plans show were t' CP should be and instruct you t' set up t' CG forward o' t' CP with t' motor installed. Ya scallywag!

For its first flight, I must say, ya bilge rat, it was interestin' t' see t' effective CG move durin' t' exhaustion o' t' motor. If t' rocket be completely unstable it would have continued t' bounce and loop, me bucko, me bucko, matey, but at one point after a bounce it shot straight up into t' air as stable as could be. With t' length o' t' B2 and t' burnin' o' t' powder from t' bottom up, t' CG effectively moved toward t' nose o' t' rocket allowin' it t' become stable. Ya scallywag! Interesting.

Well, ya bilge rat, I added weight t' t' nose cone t' move t' CG up and after a few days prepared for another flight. Ahoy! Begad! Prepped again with a B2-9 and off she went. Straight (with a little oscillation) up and up and up. With 2.8 seconds o' burn time, this motor doesn't seem like it is goin' t' stop. Well, blow me down! Excellent smoke trail, but wait . . Begad! . Well, blow me down! no ejection. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! Landin' in tall grass, shiver me timbers, t' rocket was recovered and will fly again.

In summary, ya bilge rat, this little Paper Chaser was fun t' build and fly and t' plans were simple and easy t' follow. Avast, me proud beauty! If you are lookin' for somethin' a bit different and don't have balsa, T' Paper Chaser is a good choice. Blimey! Just be sure to set up your CG and you will have a nice little flyer for Micro Motors and easily converted t' use Mini's.