Brief:
This is a single stage rocket, ya bilge rat, skill level 2 from t' new company FlisKits. Ahoy! It has an interestin' fin area with a ring. It says that it be first introduced at t' Seventh Annual North East Model Rocket Convention (NEMROC7). Blimey! Ahoy! I ordered this direct from FlisKits online and had it in 2-3 days by mail. T' package is very nice looking. Begad! It came in a retail type bag (like Estes) with a hole punched header card, and full color cardboard insert. Begad! If I saw one o' these on a hobby shelf or peg, it would get me attention, me bucko, because it looks great. Ahoy! Well, blow me down! It also has a production number, which I like. Ya scallywag! T' production number is entered with a black sharpie on t' main package insert card. Very nice attention t' detail in that way. Avast! Begad! Mine is #19.

Construction:
T' back side o' t' color cardboard insert has a nice detailed parts list, list o' required tools and what is required for launching. It comes with :

• NCB-50Y Balsa Nose Cone
• (2) BT-50-17 Body Tubes
• CPL-50-01 Stage Coupler 1.0"
• CPL-70-0125 Stage Coupler 1.25"
• FSB-2-3-6 Balsa Fin Stock 1/16"
• LL-1-1 Launch Lug 1"
• BT-20-0275 Engine Tube 2.75"
• EB-20-0025 Engine Block
• (2) CRF-20-50 Centerin' Rings
• EH-0275 Engine Hook 2.75"
• SE-M Screw Eye Medium
• SC-1-18 Shock Cord 18"
• PCP-16 Parachute 16"
• SLCA-96 Shroud Line Cotton
• TD-1-6 Tape Disks

It also includes excellent detailed instructions with figures/pictures, ya bilge rat, matey, a preflight checklist and t' history o' t' design o' t' rocket. Well, blow me down! Blimey! A very nice complete kit with attention t' detail.

T' instructions were very easy t' follow. Avast! As this kit comes without die-cut fins, you must cut t' fins yourself. There are three fins made from six pieces, me hearties, ya bilge rat, plus t' outer ring. Avast, me proud beauty! When I opened this kit one night I was wonderin' about how hard it would be t' build. Ya scallywag! So I just jumped right in on it. Blimey! Usin' a razor saw, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, me hearties, I had enough balsa (good quality hard 1/16") t' make 4 o' each piece. Begad! Pickin' me best 3 o' each shape I use a sandin' block and got them all uniform. I don't know if it be luck or just good design with t' templates bein' perfect, matey, arrr, shiver me timbers, but everythin' fit totally perfect and snug. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! I used CA t' tack t' six fin pieces into their three locations. Then used white glue for fillets. Finally I used CA t' attach t' rin' around t' fins and gave it some very light white glue fillets.

T' FlisKits' Corona comes with a FlisKits' parachute, me hearties, which is like an Estes plastic 'chute, shiver me timbers, and it is designed t' use t' Estes type 3-folded paper t' t' inner wall type shock cord mount. Blimey! This is where I changed mine. Ya scallywag! I adhered a 24" piece o' Keelhaul®©™® cord t' t' engine mount usin' CA (see picture). Ya scallywag! Arrr! Then I tied a small snap swivel onto it and then used t' 18" shock cord attached t' t' nose cone.

Finishing:
Finishin' this rocket can be fun and has a wide variety o' ways o' doin' it. It did nay come with decals. Ahoy! Well, matey, blow me down! I gave it a quick twice over with white primer, and a few hours later a few coats o' Krylon 18K Gold Plate. Aye aye! Arrr! It looks pretty darn nice I do believe! It's a little hard t' spray paint due t' t' rin' around t' fins, me hearties, and I am considerin' paintin' t' rin' black with a small brush. Avast! That would really make it stand out. Avast, me proud beauty! For construction and finishing, I give it a 5/5 for a skill level 2.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
I have only flown it once, shiver me timbers, with a C6-5 before paint. Arrr! It was straight up and very high and looked nice. Avast! Ya scallywag! I can't wait t' fly it again with t' 18K Gold Plated paint job. Well, blow me down! I just got in me order o' Aerotech D21 Blue Thunders, ya bilge rat, so that will be what it rides on next time.

Recovery:
While this kit came with a plastic 'chute and an 18" shock cord, along with t' Estes type cord mount, me bucko, matey, this will work. Blimey! That is why I am givin' it a 5/5. Ahoy! It be only by personal preference that I added t' Keelhaul®©™® t' t' mount cord and snap swivel. Ahoy! Arrr! I would have loved t' see a small nylon chute, but it would nay be reasonable t' expect that, because this kit is nay expensive at all.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
This FlisKit's Corona kit reminded me o' t' cool 70's and 80's Estes kits. Begad! It's nay just one you glue together and slap on t' launch pad. It takes thinkin' and a little skill. Begad! It's fun t' build, and it provides a nice reward when you are done. Aye aye! Blimey! I see no way o' improvin' it at all. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! It's a super kit for t' price, as all components and instructions are excellent. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Overall, me bucko, I give it a 5/5.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5