FlisKits Praetor-2

FlisKits - Praetor-II {Component} (SP001-B2)

Contributed by Ron Wirth

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: FlisKits
FlisKits Praetor II

Brief:
T' Praetor-II booster is an aftermarket design for t' popular Praetor rocket kit from FlisKits. Avast! Blimey! T' booster like t' rocket has a unique look with long thin fins that extend out from t' body tube further than what you might expect. T' Praetor-II boost complements t' original rocket perfectly. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! With t' booster attached t' t' rocket, shiver me timbers, it reminds me o' some sort o' satellite. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Blimey! I had received t' Praetor-II with t' Praetor as a random drawin' prize durin' FlisKits 6th anniversary celebration but would gladly spend t' loot for these two kits.

Construction:
Since this is a booster add-on t' an existin' FlisKits rocket, me bucko, thar are just few parts included in t' package. Included are:

  • 1 BT-60 body tube
  • 1 BT-20 motor tube
  • 1 BT60 tube coupler
  • 2 Centerin' rings
  • 1 Engine hook
  • 1 Engine trust ring
  • 1 Sheet o' balsa fin stock
  • 1 Fin patterns on cardstock
  • 1 Detailed instructions
FlisKits Praetor II

All material in t' kit is high in quality as usual with FlisKits.

As t' previous reviewer commented, shiver me timbers, this is a quick and straightforward build. If you follow t' instructions on t' fin pattern sheet, shiver me timbers, you should be able t' get an additional fin from t' material supplied with t' kit. Begad! T' booster uses gap stagin' t' ignite t' sustainer engine in t' Praetor. Avast, me proud beauty! Because o' this t' instructions have you cut two small vent holes at t' top o' t' booster with a hobby knife. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! What I have found t' work better is t' use a paper hole punch for these types o' ventin' holes. T' complete t' construction, I attached fins usin' a bead o' yellow glue on t' root o' t' fins with a small amount o' CA at both ends t' hold it place while t' glue dried.

Finishing:
T' Praetor-II booster comes with no decals just like t' Praetor so t' paint job needs t' help t' rocket stand out. Avast, me proud beauty! O' course t' fin design really help t' rocket and booster stand out all by itself. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! Since I had t' advantage of paintin' t' rocket and booster at t' same time, shiver me timbers, I decided t' us a color scheme on t' booster that would make it easy t' spot in a field and hopefully compliment t' upper rocket. Begad! That is why I went with orange fins for t' booster. Well, blow me down!

FlisKits Praetor IIFlisKits Praetor II

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

FlisKits Praetor II

Flight:
I loaded t' Praetor-II booster with a C6-0 and t' Praetor with B6-6 for t' first flight. There was a slight wind at launch time. Blimey! T' rocket and booster lifted up off t' pad and weather cocked into t' wind slightly. T' booster ignited t' sustainer without any problems. Blimey! Blimey! T' flight be near perfect from me point o' view. Begad!

Recovery:
T' booster uses tumble recovery after it ignites t' sustainer. Aye aye! Begad! Blimey! My booster came down within 2 feet o' t' launch rod and seemed t' hit pretty hard. Begad! Blimey! T' ground be really hard at this launch field and as a result one o' t' fins partially separated from t' body tube. Aye aye! Ahoy! Blimey! It is an easy fix so t' booster will fly again but at a softer field.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Praetor-II booster is a great add-on design t' t' Praetor. It makes an already cool lookin' rocket even cooler in me opinion. Aye aye! Blimey! With t' addition o' t' booster, ya bilge rat, I have no doubt that you can put t' Praetor way up in t' sky. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey!

PRO: Looks cool, great add-on design, gives t' Praetor more flyin' options

CON: Tumble recovery for such long fins might be an issue.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • FlisKits Praetor-2 By Chan Stevens (May 20, 2008)

    Brief: Following in the footsteps of the Corona 2, this is a retrofit booster module designed to complement the standard single stage FlisKits classic Praetor. The booster shares in the same design standards as the Praetor, featuring rather large span fins. Construction: Components are of good quality. The kit includes: balsa fin stock BT-60 body tube BT-20 ...

Flights

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