Brief:
T' FlisKits Cougar 440 is a model designed t' fly on 1/2A through full A 13mm motors. Begad! Recommend motors are 1/2A3-3T and A10-3T.

T' kit is advertised as a competition streamer duration model. I am not really into competition rockets, matey, but I wanted t' try one o' these kits and besides it looked like a lot o' fun t' build.

Construction:
As far as actual components are concerned, ya bilge rat, t' kit included:

• 1 BT-5 Body tube
• 1 Balsa Nosecone
• 1 6" x 3" x 1/64" Ply sheet for t' fins (with enough to make many sets o' fins, which is handy for any repairs)
• 2 Streamer kits, arrr, one for competition and one for sport
• 1 Pop-Lug kit
• 1 13mm engine block.

T' Cougar 440 came in a plastic bag with kit cover art card (it was marked production #43 too). I be shocked t' actually find that t' bag has detailed instructions! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! There were separate instructions for t' competition streamer, pop lug and t' model construction. Also, t' cover art card came with a checklist on t' back and a warranty card.

If t' cost for this kit is $10, then thar must be $5 U.S. Avast! worth o' printed paper alone in the kit. That's unbelievable in this day and age. All t' documents were well written and illustrated. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! Nice job FlisKits!

Instructions are easy t' follow and are in a logical assembly order. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! It is noteworthy that in cuttin' out t' fin pattern, shiver me timbers, thar are 3 patterns choose from. Blimey!

Finishing:
If you plan on usin' this model in competition, ya bilge rat, FlisKits recommends that you use only a few light coats o' sealer on t' fins and nose cone. That is all. Begad! If it is t' be flown just for sport, you can have at it and finish it any way you wish. Avast! I opted t' go for t' competition mode.

T' pop lug should be an item that those in competition would recognize, however, matey, it was new one t' me. Begad! I like t' idea, but had t' build it t' see how well it would work. A separate instruction sheet is included for t' lug, with a piece o' brass wire taped t' it so you wouldn't loose it. Ya scallywag! Arrr! A nice detail is the instructions drawin' are exact size for t' wire bends, so you simply cut it and make it fit t' drawing, which is pretty easy. Ahoy! They give you 24 inches of 8 lb Keelhaul®©™® thread. I cut it in t' two 12 inch long threads for t' wraps t' insure there was enough t' complete t' wrap. Begad! Tip: T' mount t' wires draw a center line down t' 1/8" launch lug then t' wires are glued t' launch lug using epoxy, then wrapped with 8 lb Keelhaul®©™® thread. I finished t' wraps by addin' a couple drops o' thin epoxy t' coat them. Blimey! Ya scallywag! I did test o' t' pop lug and it really works. Ahoy!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
Date: 3-4-06
Wind: 2-4 kph
Motor: A3-4T Estes
Ejection: just past apogee
T' Cougar 440 goes like a bullet straight for good altitude. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! Ejection just past apogee deployment o' t' sport streamer was nay a problem.

Motor: A10-3T Estes
Ejection: at apogee
Straight flight. Ya scallywag! A lot more altitude and ejection at apogee deployment o' the sport streamer was nay a problem.

Motor: A3-4T Estes
Ejection: at or just past apogee
Second flight with a A3-4T motor be straight and had good altitude. Ejection at or just past apogee deployment o' t' sport streamer was nay a problem.

Recovery:
T' included sport streamer is a perfect match for this rocket. Ahoy! Ahoy! Even with winds at 2-4kph, thar was little drift on t' A10-3T motor flight and recovery 100 meters down range. Well, blow me down! You don't needs lots o' waddin' (2-3 sheets) for the streamer t' protect it. Ya scallywag! Avast! It's a good sport flyer and t' pop lug works great.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This rocket is very easy t' build and could be attempted as a second rocket even by a beginner. T' parts and instructions were first rate. Well, blow me down! If this is any indication o' t' future kits from FlisKits, me bucko, ya bilge rat, be prepared for some great memories and great kits! I rate FlisKits Cougar 440 instructions 5 out o' 5 simply because they are presented in a detailed, arrr, logical, and organized format.

PROs: Cost o' this kit and t' components supplied in t' kit.

CONs: None.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5