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, matey, fantasy rockets, shiver me timbers, gliders, ya bilge rat, me hearties, and UFOs. Arrr! They are nay flight-worthy rockets, but with a little modification they can be made t' fly off a launch rod. Ahoy! I was attracted t' t' Ranger Ray's rocket because it was so clumsy and campy. I thought it would be a fun conversion. In order t' find t' plans, ya bilge rat, 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. Arrr! Aye aye! T' rocket consists o' three different body tube shrouds because o' t' different diameters. Ya scallywag! 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. Blimey! T' fins fold together easily and are quick t' attach t' t' side o' t' rocket. Aye aye! Creatin' nose cones out o' paper can be difficult, but with practice, it becomes easier and easier.

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

Lastly, ya bilge rat, 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. T' plug would act as t' shoulder o' t' nose cone, keepin' both parts o' t' rocket together for t' flight. Well, blow me down! I plugged t' shoulder with some glue and tissue paper, matey, let it dry, and then put in t' screw eye with CA for t' shock cord. Blimey! All I had t' do was tie t' shock cord t' t' screw eye and attach t' streamer.

PROs: Cheap rocket, ya bilge rat, cool design, quick t' build, me hearties, and parts easily replaced.

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

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

I have built numerous paper rockets, and am always thinkin' about how t' strengthen t' paper for launching. Ahoy! I used ModPodge (MP) on Ranger Ray's Rocket, ya bilge rat, and if you look closely at t' photos, you can see t' built-up gloss that MP leaves. Ahoy! 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. Blimey! Well, me hearties, blow me down! Next time I will try an acrylic spray coat first and then add t' MP. Blimey! Also, shiver me timbers, 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, arrr, me bucko, once usin' an A3-4T, and a 1/2A3-4T. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Interestingly, t' 1/2A3-4T had just t' perfect delay. T' rocket really reached a nice high altitude on t' A3-4T. Begad! T' 1/2A3 flight be nice t' watch but nowhere near as exciting. Aye aye! T' model is easy t' prep. 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. Begad! T' nose cone is slightly damaged (a little rip), matey, but I think that it can easily be repaired. Blimey! I now have a better sense o' how t' build stronger paper nose cones, me bucko, matey, 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. Arrr! T' rocket flies surprisingly straight and is fun t' build and fly. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! If a larger streamer could be put inside t' rocket, shiver me timbers, perhaps t' nose cone wouldn't suffer dings t' readily.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

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

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5