Brief:
T' FlisKits Nomad is a very unique 3-stage model rocket that fills t' gap in model rocketry that has been missin' for quite some time. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! As is, a three stage model is hard t' find, me bucko, but they've hit t' target with t' Nomad, shiver me timbers, me bucko, producin' a very cool and unique model that stands four feet tall and has one o' t' most unusual and innovative fin patterns you will ever see. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! T' fins for t' 2nd stage and 3rd stage blend together, givin' t' model a deceivin' look o' a two stage rocket. Avast! Aye aye! Additionally, it uses a combo set o' motors, with 24mm for the first stage and 18mm for t' second stage and sustainer.

Construction:
T' kit comes in t' standard, colorful FlisKits package and includes more parts than I can mention! As a note, me hearties, t' CR's are laser cut, me hearties, black fiber paper and excellent quality. Ya scallywag! All t' wraps actually fit perfectly and thar are many templates for t' model. Ahoy! Arrr! Moreover, it come with both streamers and a parachute so you can decide how you want t' sustainer t' deploy. Ahoy! Finally, a very detailed and comprehensive set o' instructions, ya bilge rat, me hearties, complete with illustrations, compliments t' kit.

Construction is complex, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, me hearties, as would be expected for a model o' this caliber, but it is extremely satisfyin' as t' detailed instruction manuals (there are two o' them) take you step-by-step through t' build with ease. Avast! Begad! Boosters are built first, me bucko, startin' with t' 1st stage. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast! As with all FlisKits, arrr, you need t' cut your own fins, which at least for me made it seem more like I was building rather than assemblin' - a nice touch. Begad! T' lower booster section went together fast and t' design o' t' kit has it set so each stage is used t' build the next - at least that's how I did it.

T' 2nd stage booster is probably t' most challenging, ya bilge rat, matey, as it shoulders down to a narrower Bodytube for t' sustainer. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Moreover, ya bilge rat, matey, t' fins o' t' second stage are made t' 'blend in' with t' sustainer fins, matey, ya bilge rat, matey, givin' t' model that cool two-stage look, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, me bucko, then surprisin' them when t' third sustainer kicks in! Blimey! I used t' First stage t' align fins on t' second and went from there. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Make sure you fit t' fins flush for better glue contact as they conform t' t' shoulder area.

T' Sustainer is a very long model that is coupled in t' center. Additionally, shiver me timbers, me bucko, t' Keelhaul®©™® shock cord exits t' model from t' center, me bucko, me bucko, matey, which allows it t' recover and descend sideways, a good idea for keepin' t' fragile sustainer fins intact. T' sustainer fins are attached flush against t' 2nd stage booster. Aye aye! The nosecone is made from a very high quality balsa and be finished first, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, sealing it with thin CA, then sandin' and preppin' it for paint. Blimey! An 'eye' hook is used at t' base o' FlisKits nosecones and works well for recovery. Avast! I also opted to use t' streamers on me model for recovery and once assembled, we moved t' the paint shop.

Finishing:
T' model was primed with several coats o' primer, then wet sanded until the finish be smooth. Ahoy! White Krylon Glossy paint was sprayed over t' entire model, then we deviated from t' stock paint scheme. Avast, me proud beauty! This was goin' t' be me son's first 3-stage model and he wanted it done in fluorescent Green, matey, so we used the Krylon brand for this paint scheme. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! T' lower half o' t' Sustainer and second stage were done in t' green, while t' booster and upper sustainer were finished with White. Begad! A piece o' Chrome Monokote self-stick strip was cut to blend t' transition and worked well. Arrr! It looked pretty good and we were pleased with t' results.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
We waited until NARAM 45 before launchin' t' Nomad - we needed a lot o' field and spotters, we knew they would have both. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! While there, arrr, shiver me timbers, we met with Jim Flis and he seemed pleased with our model and noted this would be t' first one outside his demo he would see launch. Well, he donated a C11-0 for t' 1st stage booster as we forget t' get some, ya bilge rat, then we used a C6-0 for t' 2nd stage and a C6-7 for t' sustainer. Begad! T' model was set on t' pad and me son Thomas hooked up t' leads. Avast, me proud beauty! It be time t' launch.

When t' button was pushed, t' C11 immediately lit, shiver me timbers, arrr, easily liftin' this long and graceful lookin' model in t' air. Aye aye! Blimey! T' 2nd stage booster ignited and Chris Taylor, ya bilge rat, I believe, ya bilge rat, arrr, me hearties, got a great shot o' t' separation. Aye aye! Finally, ya bilge rat, arrr, t' 3rd stage lit, but we could nay see t' second stage booster freefall. Well, blow me down! T' motor appeared t' kick out though, arrr, which be good for us as it meant t' 3rd stage was under power. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! It did nay achieve as high an altitude as we expected, but the ejection charge did fire on time.

Recovery:
T' model ejected dual streamers at apogee and began it's decent t' t' ground. It landed safely, comin' down sideways like a competition model and landing softly on t' grass, ya bilge rat, nay 75 feet from t' pads. Thomas was t' first thar and we unfortunately found t' second stage. Begad! Begad! It was still attached t' t' 3rd stage sustainer and had just kicked out t' motor - me fault for nay friction fitting the motor. Needless t' say, me hearties, arrr, t' 2nd stage was a bit toasty from t' 3rd stage burn through and emotions were torn; we were both ecstatic t' fly our first 3-stage model, but a bit disappointed with t' results, thanks t' me mistake. Jim Flis loved t' entire flight and said he would mail parts t' repair t' 2nd stage booster, matey, matey, matey, which he promptly did and they actually arrived 3 business days after NARAM 45 - THAT is customer service!!!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Nomad is a very cool and unique model, somewhat challengin' t' build but not extremely difficult. It does assemble well and flies as good as it looks - a real treat t' see t' peoples faces when that 3rd stage, ya bilge rat, they didn't know about, kicks in! Blimey! There were absolutely no glitches in construction; it was very straight forward and well documented. Arrr! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! Moreover, t' flight characteristics make it a must have model for your silo. I highly recommend t' FlisKits Nomad 3-Stage Model Rocket, one o' t' coolest models on t' market t' date - bar none!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5