Construction Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Flight Rating: | starstarstarstarstar_border |
Overall Rating: | starstarstarstarstar |
Manufacturer: | FlisKits |
Brief:
This rocket is a single-staged, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, streamer recovery rocket that is made entirely
from cardstock. Well, blow me down! Blimey! It's unique triangular body tube make this a Level 1 kit. Most
cardstock rockets require precise rollin' and bending, ya bilge rat, makin' them too hard for
younger modelers. Begad! Blimey! With only straight folds, 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. Begad! T' plans and instructions can be downloaded from the
FlisKits website.
Construction begins with cuttin' out t' parts from t' cardstock. Because of t' clean design, I was able t' cut it out completely with scissors instead of a knife. Avast! This is a plus for younger modelers. Scorin' with a straightedge was easy since all t' score lines were relatively short. 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, me hearties, me bucko, me hearties, 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, ya bilge rat, since all the folds are straight. Aye aye! Blimey! 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. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Be sure to press them under a flat weight (like a heavy book) since they will warp if you don't. Ya scallywag! Arrr! After they are dry, me bucko, attachment t' t' body tube is easy since the body tube is also flat surfaces.
T' construction o' t' engine mount was unique. Ya scallywag! First, you actually wrap the mount around t' casin' twice, usin' tape t' secure each wrap. Ya scallywag! In addition to makin' t' tube easier t' construct, matey, shiver me timbers, it also prevents glue from oozin' out and adherin' t' casin' into t' tube. Arrr! Then instead o' makin' a separate thrust ring, you simply fold and crimp t' tube down in on itself, arrr, 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, matey, shiver me timbers, which I did with BBs and white glue.
Finishing:
Since t' design is pre-printed, matey, me hearties, t' only finishin' suggested is a coat of
clearcoat. Begad! Arrr! Blimey! However, arrr, shiver me timbers, since blanks are provided, shiver me timbers, this rocket is infinitely
customizable.
Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5
Flight:
I flew this rocket for t' first time on a B4-2. Arrr! Arrr! It be t' only B engine I had
left, and I judged t' risk t' t' streamer t' be low. After easily packin' the
relatively large body tube with cellulose waddin' and friction fittin' the
engine, we were off t' t' pad. T' flight was excellent, ya bilge rat, if unusual. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! 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. Well, blow me down! It was probably due t' some sort o' minor warpage of
the fins, me hearties, matey, but they look pretty flat t' me so it may be a characteristic or
tendency o' triangular designs. Ahoy! 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.
Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5
Summary:
This is a great rocket at twice t' price! Blimey! Seriously, this is a great design
and I had a blast buildin' it. Ahoy! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I only subtracted 1/2 a flight point because
some purists might nay like t' corkscrew I saw, arrr, however, me bucko, 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)