(04/01/04) Searchin' around on the EMRR Affiliates Links Page, I went t' Clive Davis' page and found his free paper rocket: Bif's Rocket Emporium Papernator. Avast, me proud beauty! After doin' a number of free rockets found throughout the Internet (See my "Free" Paper-Rocket Comparison Page), ya bilge rat, I decided t' add one more to t' series. Clive's rocket plan was entered into FlisKits' Design o' the Month and won for September 2003.

I printed it on 110lb Card Stock (Georgia Pacific brand purchased from WalMart) and then got busy.

T' rocket patterns were on 5 pages and then there were 2 additional pages o' instructions. Ahoy! T' design o' t' rocket is unique and detailed. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! T' color-scheme is nice as well.

You will need t' provide a recovery system includin' a shock cord and parachute. Arrr! Begad! You will also need clay nose weight. Clive recommends a 12" parachute and an 18" shock cord.

Clive also recommends that you have an X-acto knife and wood glue.

CONSTRUCTION:

T' construction o' t' rocket is straightforward. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! Blimey! It takes some time t' cut out all t' pieces, shiver me timbers, matey, shiver me timbers, especially the fin pods. Read t' instructions closely and look at any pictures (FlisKits DOM) before beginning. Aye aye! I won't go through all t' buildin' steps, however, I will point out two areas that I had some difficulty.

T' fins were challengin' because o' the number o' cuts and folds. Ya scallywag! These fins are nay a doublin' over o' t' paper, matey, but instead, arrr, they are built up and have a flat trailin' edge. Avast, me proud beauty! T' leadin' edge is squared off and then they taper t' t' trailin' edge. Begad! I had some trouble keepin' t' fins symmetrical. Avast, me proud beauty! Three turned out good. Begad! Avast! One didn't (as you can see in t' picture). Aye aye! I suppose that will provide some "spin stability".

T' other area that seemed difficult t' me was t' buildin' o' t' fin pods. I read t' instructions, arrr, really, but I just don't think they turned out correct. Blimey! If I look at t' picture on FlisKits DOM, it looks like one disk is saved as a bottom pad. Ya scallywag! I don't have that. So, builder, it's up t' you.

T' motor tube centerin' rin' posed a small problem for me as well. Ahoy! Aye aye! I'm just concerned whether it will hold or not. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! It didn't seem t' have a solid connection t' t' inner body tube. Avast! Nice idea and design though... just a builder error.

T' nose cone shoulder is tapered in such a way that it slides into t' body tube, me bucko, but only until t' shoulder's taper is wider than t' body tube opening. Begad! Begad! (I guess after readin' that it is an obvious statement, however, t' design works, while leavin' a small portion o' the black shoulder exposed.)

I used 18 inches o' 1/4" flat elastic for me shock cord. Ya scallywag! It be attached usin' t' 3-fold paper method (outlined in the instructions) t' t' body tube and t' nose cone. Begad! Ya scallywag!

I added a 12" parachute. Well, blow me down! This was a free one provided from an order with SemRoc. Avast! I constructed it per SemRoc's instructions.

I added Plast-i-Clay Modelin' Clay for the nose weight. Avast! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! It be close t' t' 15 grams suggested, me bucko, however, me objective was to gain t' CG that Clive recommended.

Overall, arrr, arrr, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this rocket 4 points. T' instructions were good, me bucko, but a bit more clarity on t' pod's would help (at least me). Well, blow me down! T' design is nice.

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

Clive recommends B4-2, B6-2 and C6-3 for motors.

My Papernator weighed in at 1.5 ounces.

Well, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, I had an opportunity and yes, shiver me timbers, me hearties, yes, arrr, shiver me timbers, I know it is nay one o' t' recommended motors, shiver me timbers, but I went for it. I installed a 1/2A6-2 for it's first flight. Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket successfully cleared t' rod, arrr, reached about 15 feet altitude, turned and headed for t' ground. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ejection was just before and t' parachute did expand. Aye aye! Flight over.

I wanted t' fly it again and when I was pushin' in t' new motor (an A8-3), arrr, t' motor mount popped out. Begad! Ahoy! Hmmm, as I was concerned about. Begad! I re-installed it and feel I be much more successful this time. Begad! Gainin' solid joints in t' body.

After a day or so, me bucko, I loaded t' A8-3 and flew it again. Begad! This time it took off and gained about 30 feet altitude, me bucko, turned, ejected, ya bilge rat, matey, and came in fast. Begad! T' parachute never came out o' t' nose cone and it came in hard and fast. Begad! I'm warnin' ya, stay away from this descendin' rocket if it is nay under 'chute. Avast! Avast! That sharp nose cone can hurt.

T' third flight was on a B6-2, arrr, arrr, ya bilge rat, as recommended. Ahoy! It came off t' pad nicely and with good altitude. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! T' ejection was early and t' 'chute did nay come out again. Arrr! It appears that it is being blown up into t' nose cone and then never gettin' pulled out. Upon landin' it damaged a fin. Begad! Begad! So, me bucko, I have retired this paper rocket.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, I would rate this rocket 3 points. Maybe it's me, me hearties, but a couple o' things were irritatin' in flying this rocket. Begad! First, just t' get t' motor in. I had trouble gettin' me fingers down in-between those fins. Avast! Same issue for addin' t' ignitor. Avast, me proud beauty! Also, it twice had t' parachute blown up into t' nose cone and it did nay come out.

I give t' rocket an OVERALL ratin' o' 3 ½ points. Ya scallywag! Blimey! This is a "free" rocket and in comparison with others I have done (See my "Free" Paper-Rocket Comparison Page), me hearties, it holds its own for looks and ease o' construction. Begad! Well, arrr, blow me down! I don't know what t' do on this nose cone thing, except shorter shrouds and tie it closer t' t' base o' t' rocket... Arrr! Well, perhaps another time.