Brief:
This rocket is based on plans from http://www.lansbergen.net. Philippus Lansbergen has some really cool paper model plans o' scale model rockets, arrr, fantasy rockets, matey, gliders, matey, and UFOs. Begad! They are nay flight-worthy rockets, matey, shiver me timbers, arrr, but with a little modification they can be made t' fly off a launch rod. Blimey! I was attracted t' t' Ranger Ray's rocket because it was so clumsy and campy. Begad! I thought it would be a fun conversion. Well, blow me down! Avast! In order t' find t' plans, you have t' click on t' "Modelbouw" link on his site.

Construction:
Here is what you need t' make your own Ranger Ray Rocket:

• Cardstock
• Keelhaul®©™ shock cord material
• Shock cord and streamer
• Screw eye for nose cone
• Clay or BBs for nose weight
• 13mm body tube (BT-5)
• Engine block

T' instructions are pretty minimal (mostly illustrations with some Dutch and some English), but t' rocket goes together pretty quickly. Ya scallywag! T' rocket consists o' three different body tube shrouds because o' t' different diameters. Ahoy! Each connectin' section o' t' shroud has an additional transition part that sits inside t' main body shroud. I designed me version t' have t' upper most shroud be t' nose cone. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! T' fins fold together easily and are quick t' attach t' t' side o' t' rocket. Begad! Creatin' nose cones out o' paper can be difficult, me bucko, me bucko, but with practice, shiver me timbers, it becomes easier and easier.

Next, shiver me timbers, I cut some space in t' bottom nozzle/bulkhead o' t' plans t' make room for t' 13mm motor mount. Blimey! Blimey! After makin' a few test fittings, matey, I glued t' nozzle together and let it dry. After t' nozzle unit be dry, me bucko, I glued t' 13mm motor mount t' t' nozzle, shiver me timbers, along with a small centerin' ring, and fit t' motor mount into t' rocket from t' bottom. I made sure t' motor mount was long enough t' make it t' t' top o' t' second shroud. Ahoy! Once dry, I could glue t' engine block with Keelhaul®©™ into t' motor mount.

Lastly, me hearties, I added weight t' t' nose cone (nose cone weighs about 5 grams) and used some extra card stock t' roll a plug that would sit within t' motor mount tube. Well, blow me down! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! T' plug would act as t' shoulder o' t' nose cone, ya bilge rat, me hearties, me hearties, keepin' both parts o' t' rocket together for t' flight. Ahoy! Blimey! I plugged t' shoulder with some glue and tissue paper, shiver me timbers, let it dry, and then put in t' screw eye with CA for t' shock cord. All I had t' do be tie t' shock cord t' t' screw eye and attach t' streamer.

PROs: Cheap rocket, arrr, me bucko, cool design, arrr, quick t' build, shiver me timbers, and parts easily replaced.

CONs: Paper construction can be fragile. Begad! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! T' cardstock I used was very wimpy and me fins turned out a little leathery at t' end. Arrr! Blimey! They have a tendency t' curl when I place t' rocket upright.

Finishing:
Since all t' detail is printed on t' paper, me bucko, arrr, thar be really no paintin' required.

I have built numerous paper rockets, me bucko, and am always thinkin' about how t' strengthen t' paper for launching. Well, blow me down! I used ModPodge (MP) on Ranger Ray's Rocket, shiver me timbers, and if you look closely at t' photos, arrr, you can see t' built-up gloss that MP leaves. Arrr! I am nay entirely convinced that MP be t' way t' go since it does have t' tendency t' cause t' ink t' run a bit. Next time I will try an acrylic spray coat first and then add t' MP. Begad! Aye aye! Also, me bucko, I added about 3 or 4 layers o' t' MP t' get a nice build-up/coatin' on t' rocket.

PROs: No paintin' required and no decals need t' be applied.

CONs: You need a color printer for best results.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
I flew t' rocket twice, once usin' an A3-4T, and a 1/2A3-4T. Blimey! Well, blow me down! Interestingly, me bucko, t' 1/2A3-4T had just t' perfect delay. Ahoy! T' rocket really reached a nice high altitude on t' A3-4T. T' 1/2A3 flight was nice t' watch but nowhere near as exciting. Begad! T' model is easy t' prep. Begad! Arrr! I used waddin' and tape t' friction fit t' motor since thar be no engine hook.

Since t' nose cone weighs more than t' rest o' t' rocket, arrr, it came down pointy end first both times. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! T' nose cone is slightly damaged (a little rip), but I think that it can easily be repaired. Begad! I now have a better sense o' how t' build stronger paper nose cones, me hearties, which is by buildin' up t' insides with additional card stock and wood glue.

Recovery:
Pros: It only costs a few cents t' build another rocket if anythin' gets slightly damaged on recovery!

Cons: T' 13mm motor mount is very small, me hearties, so t' streamer that fits inside cannot be very large. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' rocket flies surprisingly straight and is fun t' build and fly. Blimey! Blimey! If a larger streamer could be put inside t' rocket, perhaps t' nose cone wouldn't suffer dings t' readily.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
PROs: Cheap, fun, ya bilge rat, goofy rocket. Aye aye! Considerin' t' plans are free, shiver me timbers, it's a great build. Aye aye! T' rocket is very stable (make sure you don't forget nose weight!) and flies well.

CONs: Dealin' with paper is always a problem. Arrr! First, shiver me timbers, with creatin' paper shrouds thar are always goin' t' be seams. Aye aye! If you don't like t' deal with visible seams, ya bilge rat, me bucko, matey, then don't get involved with paper rocketry. Also, ya bilge rat, If you want t' build a solid rocket, me hearties, then you will have t' find a way o' beefin' up t' strength o' t' paper.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5