High Flying Cards Patriot (Plan)

High Flying Cards Patriot (Plan)

Contributed by Rick Chartres

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
High Flying Cards Patriot

Brief:
This is a FREE, all paper (cardstock) model o' t' Patriot missile, usin' a streamer for recovery

Construction:
T' entire rocket is constructed from a single sheet o' cardstock. Ahoy! Blimey! I used 67lb. You have t' supply your own shock cord, matey, streamer material, shiver me timbers, me bucko, and nose weight. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! The rocket has 4 fins, matey, and t' instructions say it is a 1/22nd "fun" scale model.

I used 30cm o' 1/8" sewin' elastic for t' shock cord, flag tape for a streamer (which is recommended on t' High Flyin' Cards site), and modeling clay for nose weight. Begad! Everythin' was obtained at Wal-Mart. I used only white glue, arrr, scissors, arrr, and a hobby knife for t' construction. There are 2 sets of instructions; a highly detailed set o' general instructions for buildin' all of the rockets, and then another set specifically for t' rocket you want o build. They are a bit tough t' understand here and there, me bucko, arrr, but I have built paper models before. Arrr! Since they are made o' paper that I printed, I can make as many of t' rocket as I High Flying Cards Patriot like and it be no problem if I goofed up while assemblin' it. Begad! Everythin' fit as described, shiver me timbers, which be a surprise since it's all paper. Avast! Ahoy! T' motor mount is fitted by wrappin' thin cardstock strips around t' motor tube until it fit in the body tube, so you have t' be careful t' check for fit. Too many wraps and you have t' pull a bit back off before t' glue dries completely. Aye aye! Ahoy! T' instructions say wrappin' t' nose pieces backwards helps with t' appearance but I built mine normally. Aye aye! Doin' t' nose is rather tough though , as it is in 10 pieces with t' outer nose pieces bein' a bit large. Ahoy! Aye aye! T' instructions mention t' trim as needed for a perfect fit. Blimey! Ya scallywag! I be a bit skeptical o' t' construction, shiver me timbers, but after 2 fillets on t' fins and all t' glue had completely dried, I was impressed by how sturdy it actually was! T' instructions give you a CG balance point for t' rocket and you just have t' add weight t' t' nose until this point is met.

High Flying Cards Patriot

Finishing:
It helps that t' kit is pre-printed, although you have t' be careful about linin' up t' body tube. Arrr! Blimey! Unless you want t' add a clear coat or touch up somethin' with a marker, thar be no finishing. Aye aye! It's already done. Avast, me proud beauty! This was pretty cool! You do have t' be careful about keepin' your hands clean and how you use t' glue, me bucko, shiver me timbers, me hearties, so that you don't mar its looks. Avast! Clear dryin' is glue is highly recommended.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended motors only say 1/2A, ya bilge rat, A3, me hearties, shiver me timbers, and A10, with no mention as t' delay time. Begad! T' engines fit with t' friction tape method. I used t' Estes A10-3T and 1 sheet o' waddin' for recovery. Well, blow me down! I didn't expect much as it was only a free rocket, me hearties, but I be surprised t' see it fly nay only straight but pretty high! I almost lost site o' it and couldn't see where t' ejection happened. Blimey!

High Flying Cards Patriot

Recovery:
It came down a little fast but t' paper held up perfectly and t' only hints of wear on t' outside were a grass stain on t' nose and a burn mark on the rear. Ya scallywag! (T' instructions recommend t' put some epoxy on t' aft end just because of that, which I decided t' skip.) I had nay clear coated mine either.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
I think this a really cool little rocket! It looks good and although nay as perfect as a rocket constructed o' t' more standard materials, me bucko, me hearties, it really looks good and flies well! You can't beat t' price--FREE! You can make as many as you like so if you lose it or mess up in building, you just print out another one and build it! (High Flyin' Cards Website is gone)

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

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