Brief:
I "won" this kit on a rocketry forum. Arrr! Blimey! A build thread hosted by Powderburner followed t' steps o' the assembly.

After t' last assembly post, me bucko, shiver me timbers, me bucko, t' host asked t' readers t' find t' mistake in his build. Well, blow me down! Blimey! If you found t' error you would receive a Cutaway Engine Kit as a prize. I read through t' storyline tryin' t' find t' error. I guessed wrong twice and another post got t' correct answer.

I was disappointed, shiver me timbers, as I could see afterwards where t' mistake be made. T' host said all t' participants would receive a prize from FlisKits! I forwarded me name and address t' Jim Flis.

Five days later a box came in t' mail. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! It was a Cutaway Kit Model! Jim Flis gave all five participants a Cutaway Engine Kit. A congratulatory letter from Jim Flis accompanied t' kit.

T' old OOP Estes cutaway engine was t' standard engine size, 3/4" x 2 3/4". Ya scallywag! This is a 3.1 upscale enlargement. Arrr! If you have ever tried explain how an engine works t' a classroom o' sixth graders, you will certainly appreciate this model. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty!

In t' pictorial review I noticed t' nozzle wasn't an accurate depiction o' a B6-4. Ahoy! T' throat widens where the clay meets t' black powder. Well, blow me down! I know in t' next "run" o' kits this will probably be corrected. Blimey! I thought I would build a nozzle closer t' t' actual contours o' t' intended engine. Blimey!

Construction:
T' parts list:

• 8.5" length o' BT-60
• 8.625" length o' BT-70
• 1.75" length o' 60 size black coupler
• Laser cut sheet o' Ribs, matey, Spines and "Plates" (Thick)
• Nozzle Shroud pattern sheet (Thin)
• Instructions

T' modification was actually pretty simple. I substituted a 3/16" launch lug in place o' nozzles #1 and #2.

I did have t' build up t' #3 nozzle t' support t' lug. T' half circle cut o' nozzle Rin' #2 was widened slightly. Avast, me proud beauty! And, I added back t' triangular sides (nozzle contour) t' t' propellant plate. Aye aye! I cut them from t' original laser cut sheet. Since they were cut from t' same piece, they fit perfectly.

While leavin' out nozzles #1 and #2, me bucko, this actually makes for an easier t' build kit. Blimey! Blimey! I've never been a fan of paper shrouds. Avast! Blimey! But, me bucko, FlisKits included two extras o' each shroud. Well, blow me down! Blimey! If you messed one up, simply cut out another and try again.

T' top o' t' lug be plugged with a piece o' half-round cardstock. Avast, me proud beauty! I formed t' half-round plug (end) into a round shape by rollin' it around t' end o' a paint brush handle.

Finishing:
After construction you can download t' "Cutaway Wrap Set" from t' FlisKits website. Because I modified the nozzle, t' downloads wouldn't fit me "engine" anymore. Aye aye! Blimey!

I decided t' use painted cut-out cardstock pieces t' define t' propellant, delay, and ejection sections. Arrr! I made half-round ends t' roll over backs o' t' propellant and delay/ejection pieces. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! T' three main sections were solid colors. Avast, me proud beauty!

T' ejection charge was a little different. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! A base coat o' gray was followed by a mist coat o' black. Avast! Begad! I used a black Sharpie pen t' simulate t' loose charge granules. Well, me bucko, blow me down! I then added a few white dots from a white out pen.

T' engine casin' was shot with a Rustoleum Cinnamon color. Well, blow me down! While I could have gone with a color closer t' an actual engine's paper wrap, arrr, I wanted a good contrast. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty!

I gave t' kit a 4 1/2 point ratin' as t' nozzle isn't an accurate depiction o' a real model rocket. Arrr! Begad! This is really a moot point. Ahoy! T' kit was a great build, matey, me hearties, but I would imagine FlisKits would work in this change on t' next batch o' kits.

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
Some ("well thought" by FlisKits) observations:

• T' fiberboard was very thick and strong, arrr, more like matte board for picture framing. Aye aye!
• T' pattern sheet has four nozzles t' cut out and form. Arrr! You are also given two extra nozzles (each) in case you aren't happy with t' first attempt. Begad! Blimey!
• Well illustrated instructions, more o' a 3-D renderin' than t' standard 2-D look. Avast! Ya scallywag!
• T' finished model is plenty big and strong.

This is a well engineered model. A nice change and a good challenge. Aye aye! This is nay a 3 fin/nose cone build. Aye aye! Arrr! No manufacturer has produced somethin' like this before.

Congrats Fliskits! You have provided a valuable tool that has been needed for a long time.

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5