Brief:
A simple but nice lookin' 3FNC paper rocket.

Construction:
T' majority o' t' rocket, except for t' shock cord and streamer, shiver me timbers, matey, is made of 110# cardstock paper. Arrr! T' fin cores are cut from presentation board. Begad! The template and instuctions can be downloaded here.

Score t' lines o' t' engine block with a ball point pen t' make the folds easier. Ahoy! Then fold and glue. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Before t' glue sets, roll t' engine block usin' a 1/4" wood dowel t' set t' curl. T' two edges o' t' paper should meet t' complete t' block. Begad! Test fit in t' tube. Begad! If too large, arrr, cut a small section o' t' block off and then glue t' block 2 1/4" in from t' rear of t' tube.

Carefully cut out t' nose cone followin' t' guides. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! Cut t' small "v" shaped slits along t' base o' t' nose cone creatin' a saw tooth pattern. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! Shape t' nose cone by rollin' t' pattern over a narrow dowel or very small pencil. Cut out t' nose cone collar and roll it around t' top o' the completed body tube (place an engine in t' tube t' hold its shape.) Once the curl is achieved glue t' nose cone collar together makin' sure it fits snuggly but nay too tight over t' body tube. Begad! Place a drop o' glue on t' end o' each tab at t' base o' t' nose cone and carefully attach t' nose cone t' t' nose cone collar. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! Press t' tabs t' t' collar until t' glue sets. When completely dry apply a fillet o' glue t' t' outside joint betwixt t' collar and t' nose cone and set t' assembly aside t' dry. Ahoy!

Cut out three fin cores out o' illustration board usin' t' template as a guide. Avast! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Cut out and glue t' fin covers t' each o' t' fin cores. Blimey! Blimey! Sand t' root edge o' each fin and glue t' t' body tube alignin' t' bottom o' each fin with the aft o' t' body tube. Ahoy! Blimey! When dry, shiver me timbers, apply a fillet o' glue t' each fin.

Roll and glue t' launch lug (usin' t' line t' help achieve an 1/8" diameter opening) about 1 3/4" from t' aft o' t' body tube.

Cut out two shock cord mounts from regular paper usin' t' template as a guide. Arrr! Well, blow me down! You can use 1/8" elastic, or Keelhaul®©™® cord for t' shock cord. Arrr! Blimey! I would recommend about 2' - 2.5' o' elastic or 2.5' to 3' o' Keelhaul®©™®. Glue one end o' t' shock cord t' one o' t' shock cord mounts usin' the typical Estes technique. Avast! Begad! Create a loop about 8" from t' other end for the streamer t' be attached. Blimey! Glue t' remainin' end t' t' remainin' shock cord mount. Blimey! Glue t' shock cord mount attached t' t' longer length o' shock cord to the inside front o' t' body tube about 1/2" in. Ya scallywag! Glue t' remainin' shock cord t' t' inside o' t' nose cone shoulder as far up into t' shoulder as you can. Aye aye! Attach a streamer t' t' loop in t' shock cord.

Test t' completed rocket with an engine mounted for stability. Ahoy! Add some clay t' t' inside o' t' nose if needed. Ya scallywag! (I found added weight wasn't necessary.)

Finishing:
Since t' template already has t' artwork pre-printed, all you need do is spray t' completed rocket with clearcoat a couple o' times t' protect the model against moisture and handling.

Flight:
I would recommend 1/2A6-2s for first flight, ya bilge rat, then A8-3 for t' second flight. Arrr! Blimey! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! Blimey! A C6 will put it way t' heck up there! Blimey! T' Lil Spike flies straight as an arrow.