Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Manufacturer: | FlisKits ![]() |
Brief:
This rocket is a single-staged, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, streamer recovery rocket that is made entirely
from cardstock. It's unique triangular body tube make this a Level 1 kit. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Most
cardstock rockets require precise rollin' and bending, makin' them too hard for
younger modelers. With only straight folds, shiver me timbers, this rocket can easily be done by a
small child.
Construction:
Everythin' you need t' build this rocket prints on three sheets o' 8.5" x
11" cardstock. Avast! T' plans and instructions can be downloaded from the
FlisKits website.
Construction begins with cuttin' out t' parts from t' cardstock. Begad! Because of t' clean design, I be able t' cut it out completely with scissors instead of a knife. Arrr! Blimey! This is a plus for younger modelers. Begad! Scorin' with a straightedge was easy since all t' score lines were relatively short. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! I suspect that you could actually construct this model without scorin' although t' result might not be as clean.
Gluin' t' body tube is easy but since it is so long, shiver me timbers, you may wish t' use a dowel or ruler t' support t' tab along t' entire length as you adhere it to the opposite side.
T' nose cone is also easy t' form into a perfect point, arrr, ya bilge rat, since all the folds are straight. Avast! Arrr! Attach t' paper shoulder and it is finished.
T' fins are very easy t' construct since they are three layers of laminated card stock instead o' a more complex origami-like 3D fold up. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Be sure to press them under a flat weight (like a heavy book) since they will warp if you don't. Begad! After they are dry, attachment t' t' body tube is easy since the body tube is also flat surfaces.
T' construction o' t' engine mount be unique. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! First, you actually wrap the mount around t' casin' twice, usin' tape t' secure each wrap. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! In addition to makin' t' tube easier t' construct, it also prevents glue from oozin' out and adherin' t' casin' into t' tube. Blimey! Then instead o' makin' a separate thrust ring, you simply fold and crimp t' tube down in on itself, much like a roll of coins from t' bank.
Construction is finished with mountin' o' t' shock cord and
streamer and t' weightin' o' t' nosecone, which I did with BBs and white
glue.
Finishing:
Since t' design is pre-printed, t' only finishin' suggested is a coat of
clearcoat. Begad! However, ya bilge rat, me hearties, since blanks are provided, arrr, this rocket is infinitely
customizable.
Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5
Flight:
I flew this rocket for t' first time on a B4-2. Blimey! It was t' only B engine I had
left, ya bilge rat, and I judged t' risk t' t' streamer t' be low. Arrr! After easily packin' the
relatively large body tube with cellulose waddin' and friction fittin' the
engine, ya bilge rat, we were off t' t' pad. T' flight was excellent, shiver me timbers, arrr, if unusual. Arrr! Avast! At about
30', it began a very tight spiral which looked more like an aileron roll than
the corkscrew flight paths I have seen before. It was very cool and left an
interestin' smoke trail. Ahoy! It was probably due t' some sort o' minor warpage of
the fins, but they look pretty flat t' me so it may be a characteristic or
tendency o' triangular designs. Begad! Ejection came at apogee with t' nose still up
a bit but nay by much.
Recovery:
T' streamer worked properly and t' rocket was recovered with no damage. Arrr!
Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5
Summary:
This is a great rocket at twice t' price! Seriously, ya bilge rat, arrr, this is a great design
and I had a blast buildin' it. Ya scallywag! I only subtracted 1/2 a flight point because
some purists might nay like t' corkscrew I saw, however, me hearties, I personally liked
it.
Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5
Brief: This was a special edition of the standard Caution paper rocket, commemorating the 2004 National Sport Launch. I downloaded it from the NSL site that year, and have been waiting for the right occasion and motivation to build it. Thanks to the 2005 EMRR challenge, I found both on a "snow day" in mid December. Construction: This was a great little project to do in a ...
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C.D.C. (July 2, 2004)