FlisKits Rock Star

FlisKits - Rock Star

Contributed by Patrick Bissonnette

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Manufacturer: FlisKits
FlisKits Rock Star

Brief:
This is another unusual design by FlisKits. Ya scallywag! Begad! It is supposed t' look like a flyin' V guitar. Begad! I believe it first came out at NARAM 47. Begad!

Construction:
Everythin' is packaged well. Here is what you get:

  • A nice Honest John style balsa cone with screw eye.
  • BT-60 tube
  • BT-50 tube
  • 2 short BT-5 tubes
  • Motor hook and 2 centerin' rings
  • 1/8in launch lug
  • 1/8in balsa sheets for fins
  • 30in shock cord
  • Keelhaul®©™® thread
  • 16in plastic chute
  • Fin pattern sheets and instructions

Nothin' was missin' and all parts are high quality. My younger brother picked this out at NARAM 47. I helped him with construction a bit, ya bilge rat, but he did most o' t' work. Avast! T' instructions are clear and easy t' follow. Aye aye! Arrr! As for t' build, it's straightforward. Arrr! I like t' fact that FlisKits make you cut out your own fins. Blimey! I'm nay really sure why they included a 1/8in launch lug for a rocket meant for D and E motors. We used it anyway and didn't have any problems. The design is really sweet. Aye aye!

Finishing:
Finishin' this rocket is normal but time consumin' due t' all o' t' balsa. Avast, me proud beauty! Make sure you have plenty o' sanding sealer for 6 large fins and a nose cone. Avast! Ya scallywag! T' paint job me younger brother wanted was a little different but looked good in t' end. Ya scallywag! I didn't have any trouble with it at all.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flight:
First flight was at VOA which is normally pretty windy. Begad! Blimey! It wasn't too bad, I'd guess about 5-10mph winds that day. We loaded it with 4 sheets o' waddin' and a D12-5. Blimey! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' package says it will be a slow and graceful flier, so that be what we were expecting. Arrr! Blimey! Once t' motor lit it ripped off t' pad faster than you would expect for a rocket with a high drag design. I'd guess 800+ft. Very sweet first flight. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Later on we tried an E9-6. Once again a great flight, matey, but a lot of weathercockin' durin' t' last second o' burn. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Nay sure how high, but it was really up there. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey!

One comment for E motors: T' motor will hang out t' back o' t' motor mount. Blimey! Just wrap some maskin' tape around it and it will be okay. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad!

Recovery:
T' chute is packed really tightly in t' tube, shiver me timbers, but recovery was perfect both flights. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! Havin' a long shock cord and Keelhaul®©™® thread is a real plus. T' one problem is that it'll drift forever. I'm talkin' half a mile or more walk for both flights. Ya scallywag! Begad! It may just be that t' large fin design catches t' wind. It's also interestin' that t' shock cord is anchored on t' outside o' t' body. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! This may eliminate t' need for a lot o' wadding.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
All in all, me hearties, me bucko, FlisKits made a winner here. Ya scallywag! Blimey! This was our first FlisKits rocket and me brother, who was 10 at t' time, made most o' it himself. I don't think t' 1/8in launch lug is good idea for somethin' that takes D and E motors. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! We used it and had no problems, shiver me timbers, arrr, me bucko, but I think it should be upgraded t' a 3/16in lug. Aye aye! Blimey! Avast! Blimey! Other than that, I'd highly recommend this kit t' anyone who wants a different from t' usual rocket. You won't be disappointed. Ahoy! Blimey! Avast! Blimey!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Flights

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