(02/01/03) I picked up a link t' Model Minutes off o' RMR some time ago and thought t' rockets they had were unique looking, but that was only half o' it. T' other unique characteristic o' t' Model Minutes' rockets is that they are paper. Arrr! Maybe they can say it better: "Model Minutes is a company specializin' in the creation and manufacturin' o' paper and cardboard models. Ya scallywag! Begad! We are proud to launch a new line o' rockets assembled from paper and cardboard. It has been derived from a European technique which makes use o' parts cut out from cardboard. All o' our assembly kits come with a set o' instructions illustrated with 3-D images."

By t' way, t' Minute in Model Minutes is nay pronounced "min'it" like t' time unit, but rather "mie nuet" like somethin' small.

I chose a couple o' t' Model Minutes kits, matey, t' Space Racer and the pair o' High Performance rockets that are in a single kit. Begad! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! There are two ways that you can purchase t' rocket kits. Avast! Blimey! First, as a kit that comes t' you in a plastic bag for your assembly and second, is on a CD-ROM. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Yes, that is right, shiver me timbers, on a CD-ROM where you would then print t' designs at home onto card-stock paper.

T' Space Racer kit came with neatly packaged and included t' rocket printed on (2) 8½ x 11" card-stock pages. Well, blow me down! My kit included a second rocket in a different color scheme. Ahoy! Arrr! Blimey! I'm nay sure if this is standard. Well, blow me down! Also included be a small piece o' ¼" foamboard that is used for t' motor mount. Avast, me proud beauty! A piece o' household drinkin' straw is provided for the launch lug. Aye aye! Blimey! There is a wire motor retainer and a piece o' thread that is used with t' motor retainer. Begad! Begad! Blimey! In addition, a silver Mylar parachute, shroud lines and a rubber band shockcord are provided for t' recovery system. Begad! Clay for t' nose weight is also included.

CONSTRUCTION:

T' instructions are printed on 5 pages o' 8½ x 11" paper. Ahoy! There is also a extra page describin' an "optional" method o' buildin' t' rocket. Ya scallywag! T' primary feature o' t' instructions are color 3D pictures. Ahoy! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! They can be viewed without 3D glasses well enough, however, with t' included 3D glasses (assembly required) you can add depth t' your buildin' experience. Arrr! T' main detractor from t' instructions be t' obvious translation problem from French t' English. They are usable, me hearties, but t' pictures save a lot o' potential confusion. Ya scallywag! There are a lot o' pictures, me hearties, 23 for the assembly o' t' rocket. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! T' instructions include a page on how t' balance (check stability), ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, how t' build a launch pad, shiver me timbers, launch controller, and then the launch sequence. Ahoy! You will need your standard rocket buildin' tools, includin' a sharp hobby knife. I used Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Glue (exterior) and CA for assembly. Begad!

Assembly starts with buildin' t' 3D glasses! Very simple, but effective.

Once you move t' buildin' t' actual rocket, me bucko, t' first step be t' main body assembly. Ahoy! Since t' Space Racer is essentially a flying nose cone, matey, t' main body is simply a rolled triangle that forms a long pointed nose cone. Avast, me proud beauty! I found this t' be difficult and perhaps I need t' seek different adhesives. Avast, me proud beauty! T' form t' rocket body, t' instructions show you how t' pre-curl the card-stock by pullin' it across an edge o' a table. Avast, me proud beauty! T' form t' tip, a pencil is used. Avast! T' pictures show a perfectly formed main body. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! My finished body tube was nay that perfect.

I used t' Elmers on t' glue tab, but thar was some separation. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! So, I used CA t' try t' seal t' edges. Aye aye! Begad! T' CA soaked into the paper and "stained" t' finish color. Begad! Avast! Now, I also used CA t' soak the tip and accepted t' darkenin' o' t' paper just t' strengthen it. Blimey! After this was all dry, then t' nose weight is foamed and pushed into t' tip. Begad! It is packed with a pencil. Ahoy! Once in place, me bucko, t' entire inside, less 3" from the rear, me hearties, me bucko, is coated with glue. Avast! Well, blow me down! I see this as protection o' t' inner surface from the motor ejection charge.

Next, comes t' card-stock motor tube. Arrr! Ya scallywag! I struggled with the markings and t' instructions on this a bit. Aye aye! However, t' basic concept is that an 18mm motor needs t' fit in it, matey, so I grabbed one t' test out t' size. Once I did that then I could understand where t' template lines were supposed t' line up. Begad! T' motor tube is just a piece o' wrapped card-stock. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! Next a wire hook is added. This is a nice design and I wouldn't mind seein' this on regular 18mm rockets. Begad! Well, blow me down! T' wire inserts into two holes and extends into t' tube t' act as a motor thrust stop. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! It then over hangs t' act as motor retention. T' wire is "strapped" t' t' motor tube by wrappin' a black thread around and around and around it. Blimey! I didn't measure t' length, but it be long. Blimey! Once wrapped it is soaked with glue. Blimey! It made for a good strong motor tube.

T' next step is t' cut out t' foam board usin' the templates provided. Begad! Blimey! These form t' centerin' rings for t' motor tube. Ahoy! Blimey! Once glued t' t' motor tube, ya bilge rat, t' assembly is then pushed into t' aft o' t' main body. T' shape for t' centerin' rings form t' shape o' t' rocket (away from a circle). Begad! Blimey! This assembly is set aside.

T' fins are then cut out from t' card-stock, arrr, assembled and attached. I didn't have any issues with t' fins.

Next, t' parachute is assembled usin' maskin' tape t' make the corner tabs and t' nylon thread provided for t' shroud lines. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Once assembled, this is attached t' t' motor mount assembly.

Finally, t' rubber band is attached t' inside o' the main body and then tied around t' motor mount. I was nay pleased with the length o' t' rubber band so added some Keelhaul®©™®. Normally, I tried t' build kits per instructions for t' sake o' doin' an accurate review, me hearties, however, matey, if you notice in t' picture, this would have been very foolish.

Fold t' parachute and hold it in t' space betwixt the two centerin' rings and slide t' assembly into t' aft o' t' main body. Arrr! Blimey! Turn is slightly, matey, me hearties, as needed, shiver me timbers, arrr, t' make t' lower fins symmetrical.

Finished . Aye aye! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! . . well, almost. Blimey! No launch lug! The instructions didn't cover it, but I mounted me launch lug up near t' tip and put an extra piece o' card-stock(from t' template that be nay discussed either) over t' launch lug.

Overall, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 3 points. Here's t' deal. If this was a normal packaged kit, it would have rated lower, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, but because this is me first "paper" rocket I'm not sure what t' expect. Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' instructions are excellent with t' following important exceptions, 1) no mention o' t' launch lug and 2) English translation. Avast! T' construction materials are fine with t' exception o' the rubber band shock cord. Begad! T' motor tube and retainer are great.

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

Model Minutes story behind t' Space Racer goes like this: "Each year close t' t' nebula o' t' eagle proceeds t' great race o' space. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' runners brin' t' it their small vessel o' race colourful and often manufactured startin' from parts recovered here and there. Blimey! T' spectacle of these small apparatuses foncant at all speed through stars and asteroides is worth really small turnin' a 72 years lights. Ya scallywag! Will dare you t' be registered?" I typed this exactly off o' t' cover page o' t' Space Racer instructions. Well, blow me down! I like t' fact that thar be a story behind t' rocket. Begad! Ya scallywag! Blimey! So yes, I dare t' be registered with me new Space Racer!

Model Minutes recommends flights on B4-2, matey, B6-2, me hearties, C6-3 and C5-3 with t' predicted altitudes betwixt 200 and 400 feet. These appear solid since me rocket weighed in at 2.1 ounces.

For me first flight I folded t' parachute and placed it in the gap betwixt t' centerin' rings. I then wrapped with with a couple sheet of Estes wadding. Well, blow me down! I placed t' shockcord in t' gap and slid it into t' aft of the rocket. Ahoy! In inserted a B6-4, since I didn't have a B6-2. Blimey! I then drove t' my field in t' 21 degree weather o' Vermont's January 25th with me son.

After a quick (remember how cold it is) countdown me son pushed t' launch button, matey, I snapped this picture, me bucko, and off flew t' Space Racer. It had an extremely fast spin goin' up, shiver me timbers, but nonetheless, straight and stable. It arced over at apogee and started headin' down. Arrr! Just about 2 seconds past it popped t' ejection. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! It kept fallin' fast and then about 20 feet from the ground t' parachute opened and it landed. Aye aye! T' nose was about 4" into the snow when I got there, but no damage at all.

I blew off all t' snow and installed a C6-3. Avast! We launched it and found that it did nay spin as much goin' up. Blimey! Ya scallywag! T' placement o' t' motor mount can change t' angle o' t' fins, me hearties, so this must have been more symmetric. I probably flew t' about 250 feet or so, arced and ejected at apogee. The parachute opened right way. Ya scallywag! It fell swiftly.

Upon inspection, me hearties, t' parachute was burned in a couple of places and one shroud line was burned through. Ahoy! Avast! I didn't wrap it in t' Estes waddin' for t' second flight so that could have caused this.

T' rocket is rear-ejection and therefore t' tip o' the rocket comes down first. Ahoy! I believe it be a good thin' t' be flyin' in the snow, ya bilge rat, because any hard ground would brin' a lot o' damage t' t' nose tip. Ahoy! It might be a nice modification t' create a sling-recovery so that it comes down horizontally.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, me hearties, I would rate this kit 4 points. T' flight o' t' Space Racer is somethin' unique and the recommended motors appear t' give perfect apogee ejection. Ya scallywag! T' parachute is sized good, arrr, but t' tip o' t' rocket would probably get damaged over time. Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! I already dinged t' ratings for t' rubber band shockcord. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Protection o' the 'chute is important in this design.

I give t' kit an OVERALL ratin' o' 3 points. Ya scallywag! Since this was me first paper rocket build, it is hard t' rate for comparison sakes, but I was nay turned off and am lookin' forward t' doing a few more. Avast! T' rocket's looks along should inspire some t' order and build it. T' experience o' t' paper build should also be somethin' that modelers would like t' attempt. Ahoy! T' motor retention is great. Avast, me proud beauty! I think I'm goin' t' order a package o' just those wires for future 18mm rockets. Avast! Begad! They would probably work for 24mm too.

(Contributed - by Chan Stevens)

Brief:
Model Minutes' Space Racer is an excellent first venture into t' world of paper rocketry. With it's futuristic design and bold color scheme, matey, it's sure to draw t' attention o' kids and adults alike.

Construction:
T' kit contains:

• High-quality color cutouts for body and fins, motor tube
• Foam board for centerin' rings
• 2-pronged wire motor hook
• 9" mylar chute/rubber shock cord
• Clay nose weight

This kits is described as a skill level 1 beginner kit and if you've had previous experience with paper rockets, arrr, ya bilge rat, that's accurate. Blimey! If you've never built a paper rocket though, I would rate this at least a 2 or 3. Well, blow me down!

Since Model Minutes is a Canadian company and their primary language is French, t' instructions lose a little bit in t' translation. Aye aye! Aye aye! You'll need to pay careful attention t' t' illustrations t' make sure you understand what's required. T' illustrations are quite helpful, with 3-D photos that must be viewed through t' hokey red/blue shaded glasses. Lookin' over their website, this appears t' be an attempt t' prevent piracy o' their plan packs and I could have done without t' 3-D goggles under fluorescent lighting. Ya scallywag! T' each his own though, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, and I'm sure some people will love this touch.

Construction consists o' cutting/formin' t' body shroud then addin' nose weight (a must for stability--don't go light here). Begad! Next comes t' motor tube with a unique motor hook approach. Blimey! They use a U-shaped hook with t' ends of the U pokin' through t' tube and t' loop extendin' beyond t' tube t' act as a hook. Arrr! T' hook is kept in place by a healthy wrap o' thread.

The motor tube is centered through foam cutout "centerin' rings". Begad! Rings isn't exactly right, as this is more o' a trapezoid pattern (see photo). Blimey! Aye aye! The instructions cover two different mountin' options and I couldn't quite tell what t' difference betwixt be so opted for t' first. Arrr! My guess is that the optional approach uses 1 fixed centerin' ring, shiver me timbers, while t' standard approach uses none (both are aft ejection).

T' next phase o' construction is cutting/forming/attachin' t' fins and rudder. Begad! There are several intricate folds, so care must be used on this step. Begad! I opted for a very thin film o' white glue for t' paper bonds, shiver me timbers, me hearties, as it dries clear and is nay as brittle as yellow glue. Ahoy! Blimey! You're supposed t' cut out two tiny holes in t' edge o' one fin for a launch rod. Aye aye! I looked at t' fin edge, which was barely 1/4" t' begin with, and decided this was nay goin' t' hold up very well, so I inserted a standard 3" long Estes launch lug inside for reinforcement.

Installation o' t' recovery gear is fairly straightforward, matey, with a paper shock cord mount, tied around t' motor tube (rear ejection), me bucko, me bucko, and finished off by attachin' t' 9" mylar chute. Avast, me proud beauty!

Finishing:
There's nothin' t' finish, ya bilge rat, matey, as t' model is pre-printed/colored paper. Ahoy! Clear coatin' might nay be a bad idea, but I was afraid o' t' ink running, shiver me timbers, so went with t' untreated finish.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
First flight be on a clear, winter day, temperatures around 10 degrees, and not a trace o' wind. Avast! Aye aye! Blimey! I went with t' C6-5, me hearties, although I got what seemed like a longer delay (two from same pack acted like 7's).

T' flight path be remarkably straight--all that nose weight paid off. The deployment was definitely late, me hearties, but as noted, this could be a motor problem more than due t' t' design. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey!

Recovery:
Unfortunately, ya bilge rat, t' combination o' paper cone-shaped nose, arrr, nose weight, and rear deployment resulted in a "lawn dart" landing, albeit it gently under the chute and in a soft bank o' snow. Blimey! Still, t' sharp pointed nose is now blunted.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Very cool looking, a fun build, and even more fun t' fly. This is nay a very durable design though, so enjoy it while you can.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5