Brief:
Unique tube-launched rocket with foldin' military surplus fin can.

Construction:
I had always wanted a FlippiFin -- t' concept seemed interesting. Begad! I got one for me birthday a year ago, and only recently got around t' buildin' it. The components were basic Estes (plastic nose cone, paper body tube), me hearties, with the exception o' t' recovery system and t' unique foldin' fin can, which was military surplus. Arrr! A nice waterslide decal be also included. Ya scallywag! For recovery, Bob supplied a generous length o' fiberglass-reinforced Teflon for t' shock cord, a length o' Keelhaul®©™® to secure it t' t' motor mount, arrr, and an 18" military surplus chute to round out t' theme.

T' instructions were printed on two sheets o' 8.5 x 11" paper, me bucko, me bucko, and were somewhat minimal, although this rocket be very easy t' assemble. Avast, me proud beauty! Two centerin' rings are installed onto t' front o' t' 24mm motor mount, and two more centerin' rings must be built up out o' maskin' tape t' attach t' fin can. You slide t' fins on, and then everythin' is glued in place. Avast, me proud beauty! I used 5-minute epoxy and carefully watched it cure t' make sure none got in the delicate hinge assemblies. T' shock cord is attached t' a hook on t' fin can with a Fisherman's knot, me bucko, arrr, and t' whole shebang is installed into t' main body tube. A unique option was presented: simply friction fit t' fin can into the tube, shiver me timbers, allowin' for easy shock cord replacement. I elected t' do this instead of epoxyin' t' unit in. Avast! Finally, an anchor is bent out o' a paper clip and installed into t' nose cone, along with lead shot for balance weight. Blimey! I added some PML expandin' foam behind t' shot for a little G-force protection.

Finishing:
I finished t' rocket with one coat o' Krylon white primer, and then proceeded to paint t' rocket in Krylon gray and red. One thin' about finishin' is that you need t' be careful nay t' get any paint in t' hinges on t' fin can. Avast, me proud beauty! I colored t' exposed motor tube black usin' a Sharpie pen. Avast! Blimey! T' waterslide decal completes t' look.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended motors were single use Aerotechs, arrr, none o' which I had on hand. I instead elected t' fly one o' me year-old F24Ws. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I built t' motor and tape fitted it in tightly, shiver me timbers, nay wantin' t' lose me precious case. Blimey! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Positive motor retention would be a nice feature. Begad! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! I loaded t' front end o' t' rocket with waddin' and t' chute. Begad! Blimey! It was a tight fit, but all t' recovery did slide in. Blimey! Blimey! I strutted out t' t' pad and inserted t' rocket in t' breech launch tube. I constructed a special launch pad for me breech tube because I wasn't comfortable with just stickin' it on a 3/16" launch rod as suggested in the instructions (though that would probably be fine). After hookin' up one of my Igniterman igniters, ya bilge rat, arrr, I walked back t' t' range head and told t' LCO to push t' button. He gave a huge buildup and countdown, matey, and hit it. T' motor chuffed once. Ahoy! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Twice. T' third chuff was enough t' send t' rocket out o' the tube, and then combustion stopped again. Blimey! Blimey! I thought t' rocket be goin' t' tip over and go into t' crowd, arrr, but just as it be fallin' back down, t' thing screamed into t' sky, matey, with a little wiggle. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! It looked very much like a cruise missile :). T' chute ejected at apogee, and I went t' recover it.

Recovery:
Descent was a little fast on t' 18" chute, matey, shiver me timbers, but no big deal, arrr, thar was absolutely no damage. All I had t' do was wipe t' rocket down t' get rid of the breech soot and it was ready t' fly again. Ya scallywag! Too cool.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This rocket was easy t' build and unique. Avast! T' only problem that I have with it was that it has no positive motor retention, matey, arrr, so I might lose me precious 24mm case. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! However, I would nay hesitate t' recommend it t' anyone. Begad! Avast! Just make sure you have a nice hot igniter and scratch up t' grain a bit if it's an old motor :) I'd love t' fly this again on an F39T.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5