(04/01/04) Searchin' around on the EMRR Affiliates Links Page, I went t' Clive Davis' page and found his free paper rocket: Bif's Rocket Emporium Papernator. Ahoy! After doin' a number of free rockets found throughout the Internet (See my "Free" Paper-Rocket Comparison Page), I decided t' add one more to t' series. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! Clive's rocket plan be entered into FlisKits' Design o' the Month and won for September 2003.

I printed it on 110lb Card Stock (Georgia Pacific brand purchased from WalMart) and then got busy.

T' rocket patterns were on 5 pages and then there were 2 additional pages o' instructions. Avast! T' design o' t' rocket is unique and detailed. T' color-scheme is nice as well.

You will need t' provide a recovery system includin' a shock cord and parachute. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! Blimey! You will also need clay nose weight. Clive recommends a 12" parachute and an 18" shock cord.

Clive also recommends that you have an X-acto knife and wood glue.

CONSTRUCTION:

T' construction o' t' rocket is straightforward. Arrr! It takes some time t' cut out all t' pieces, me bucko, me hearties, ya bilge rat, especially the fin pods. Ahoy! Arrr! Read t' instructions closely and look at any pictures (FlisKits DOM) before beginning. Begad! I won't go through all t' buildin' steps, however, I will point out two areas that I had some difficulty.

T' fins were challengin' because o' the number o' cuts and folds. Ya scallywag! These fins are nay a doublin' over o' t' paper, but instead, they are built up and have a flat trailin' edge. Ya scallywag! T' leadin' edge is squared off and then they taper t' t' trailin' edge. Aye aye! Aye aye! Blimey! I had some trouble keepin' t' fins symmetrical. Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! Three turned out good. Ahoy! Avast! Blimey! One didn't (as you can see in t' picture). Blimey! Avast! Blimey! I suppose that will provide some "spin stability".

T' other area that seemed difficult t' me was t' buildin' o' t' fin pods. Avast! I read t' instructions, really, ya bilge rat, but I just don't think they turned out correct. If I look at t' picture on FlisKits DOM, it looks like one disk is saved as a bottom pad. Aye aye! I don't have that. Begad! Begad! So, builder, arrr, it's up t' you.

T' motor tube centerin' rin' posed a small problem for me as well. Blimey! Blimey! I'm just concerned whether it will hold or not. It didn't seem t' have a solid connection t' t' inner body tube. Avast! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Nice idea and design though... just a builder error.

T' nose cone shoulder is tapered in such a way that it slides into t' body tube, but only until t' shoulder's taper is wider than t' body tube opening. Well, blow me down! Blimey! (I guess after readin' that it is an obvious statement, me hearties, however, matey, ya bilge rat, t' design works, while leavin' a small portion o' the black shoulder exposed.)

I used 18 inches o' 1/4" flat elastic for me shock cord. Ya scallywag! It be attached usin' t' 3-fold paper method (outlined in the instructions) t' t' body tube and t' nose cone.

I added a 12" parachute. This be a free one provided from an order with SemRoc. Begad! I constructed it per SemRoc's instructions.

I added Plast-i-Clay Modelin' Clay for the nose weight. Aye aye! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! It was close t' t' 15 grams suggested, however, matey, me objective was to gain t' CG that Clive recommended.

Overall, matey, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this rocket 4 points. Begad! Blimey! T' instructions were good, matey, shiver me timbers, but a bit more clarity on t' pod's would help (at least me). Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' design is nice.

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

Clive recommends B4-2, me hearties, me hearties, B6-2 and C6-3 for motors.

My Papernator weighed in at 1.5 ounces.

Well, I had an opportunity and yes, yes, I know it is nay one o' t' recommended motors, ya bilge rat, but I went for it. Avast, me proud beauty! I installed a 1/2A6-2 for it's first flight. Blimey! T' rocket successfully cleared t' rod, ya bilge rat, me bucko, reached about 15 feet altitude, turned and headed for t' ground. Begad! Ejection was just before and t' parachute did expand. Avast! Flight over.

I wanted t' fly it again and when I was pushin' in t' new motor (an A8-3), t' motor mount popped out. Begad! Begad! Hmmm, shiver me timbers, as I was concerned about. Avast, me proud beauty! I re-installed it and feel I was much more successful this time. Begad! Begad! Gainin' solid joints in t' body.

After a day or so, ya bilge rat, I loaded t' A8-3 and flew it again. Blimey! This time it took off and gained about 30 feet altitude, me hearties, turned, ejected, arrr, and came in fast. Ahoy! T' parachute never came out o' t' nose cone and it came in hard and fast. Begad! I'm warnin' ya, stay away from this descendin' rocket if it is nay under 'chute. Begad! That sharp nose cone can hurt.

T' third flight was on a B6-2, as recommended. It came off t' pad nicely and with good altitude. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! T' ejection was early and t' 'chute did nay come out again. Ya scallywag! It appears that it is being blown up into t' nose cone and then never gettin' pulled out. Well, blow me down! Begad! Upon landin' it damaged a fin. So, me hearties, I have retired this paper rocket.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, I would rate this rocket 3 points. Maybe it's me, but a couple o' things were irritatin' in flying this rocket. Blimey! Begad! First, just t' get t' motor in. Ya scallywag! I had trouble gettin' me fingers down in-between those fins. Well, blow me down! Begad! Same issue for addin' t' ignitor. Avast, me proud beauty! Also, me hearties, arrr, it twice had t' parachute blown up into t' nose cone and it did nay come out.

I give t' rocket an OVERALL ratin' o' 3 ½ points. This is a "free" rocket and in comparison with others I have done (See my "Free" Paper-Rocket Comparison Page), it holds its own for looks and ease o' construction. I don't know what t' do on this nose cone thing, except shorter shrouds and tie it closer t' t' base o' t' rocket... Avast, me proud beauty! Well, perhaps another time.