Brief:
This was a special edition o' t' standard Caution paper rocket, commemorating the 2004 National Sport Launch. Avast! Blimey! I downloaded it from t' NSL site that year, and have been waitin' for t' right occasion and motivation t' build it. Aye aye! Arrr! Blimey! Thanks to t' 2005 EMRR challenge, ya bilge rat, I found both on a "snow day" in mid December.

Construction:
This be a great little project t' do in a couple o' hours when I was snowed in under about 8 inches o' fresh ice and snow. Begad! T' parts list is a couple of sheets o' cardstock, me hearties, which you then convert into a body tube, 3 fins, me hearties, launch lug, matey, me bucko, and a nose cone. Avast! T' pattern even includes a spare nose cone.

Kyle Hancock's review plus t' tips that have already been posted do an excellent job o' detailin' t' construction, shiver me timbers, so I won't replicate those details. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! I do think t' most noteworthy point brought out in that review was that this is a triangular folded body, nay a rolled tube, arrr, and that makes the construction and fit go much better (and it's simpler). Avast, me proud beauty! Begad!

I followed the standard construction techniques, me bucko, and wound up usin' clay for nose weight.

Finishing:
Since t' patterns print out already colored, thar's really no finishing necessary. Aye aye! I be plannin' on flyin' in t' snow, though, and fearin' running colors I elected t' apply 3 very light coats o' Krylon clear coat. Avast! In addition to protectin' t' finish, this also provided a glossy finish that I hadn't been able t' get off me inkjet paper on cardstock. Avast, me proud beauty! I think t' gloss, particularly with t' red and black trim, was an excellent improvement.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
I had previously lost me standard Caution rocket t' a C6 flight that completely disappeared out o' sight, so in order t' make sure I got me 3 required flights in, me bucko, I went wimpy with A8-3's. Begad! Aye aye! This is a good motor choice for this rocket, matey, and conversely this rocket makes a nice vehicle t' use up those A8-3's that tend to build up whenever I pick up Estes Blast-Off Flight Packs.

T' A8-3's took it up a couple hundred feet on t' breezy (10-15 mph) day, me hearties, with only a slight weathercock. Blimey! Blimey! Deployment was slightly early, but nay enough t' warrant goin' to a 5 delay. I used a ribbed mylar streamer from a party store, roughly 2x20, which sloweds it down just enough t' prevent damage, ya bilge rat, plus t' bright red is easier t' spot in t' sky than this fairly small paper rocket.

Recovery:
This is simply a great flyer on smaller impulse motors. Begad! Begad! T' only I could offer, which is a bit o' a stretch, arrr, is that t' cardstock fins bend or warp easily, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, so my flights have picked up a slight spin t' them over time. Blimey!

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
For a paper rocket, you really can't beat this. Ya scallywag! Quick and easy t' build, flies fine on inexpensive motors, arrr, and best o' all be t' price (free on t' Fliskits website). Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! I don't think this particular version is available any longer, but I'm sure thar will be other editions comin' out in t' future.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5