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

After t' last assembly post, matey, t' host asked t' readers t' find t' mistake in his build. Arrr! Begad! 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. Aye aye! Begad! I guessed wrong twice and another post got t' correct answer.

I was disappointed, as I could see afterwards where t' mistake was made. Ahoy! 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. Ahoy! It was a Cutaway Kit Model! Jim Flis gave all five participants a Cutaway Engine Kit. Ya scallywag! A congratulatory letter from Jim Flis accompanied t' kit.

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

In t' pictorial review I noticed t' nozzle wasn't an accurate depiction o' a B6-4. Avast! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! T' throat widens where the clay meets t' black powder. Arrr! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! I know in t' next "run" o' kits this will probably be corrected. I thought I would build a nozzle closer t' t' actual contours o' t' intended engine. Blimey! 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, arrr, Spines and "Plates" (Thick)
• Nozzle Shroud pattern sheet (Thin)
• Instructions

T' modification was actually pretty simple. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! 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. Ahoy! T' half circle cut o' nozzle Rin' #2 be widened slightly. And, I added back t' triangular sides (nozzle contour) t' t' propellant plate. Well, blow me down! Begad! I cut them from t' original laser cut sheet. Blimey! Since they were cut from t' same piece, arrr, ya bilge rat, they fit perfectly.

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

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

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

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

T' ejection charge was a little different. A base coat o' gray was followed by a mist coat o' black. Arrr! I used a black Sharpie pen t' simulate t' loose charge granules. 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! Blimey! While I could have gone with a color closer t' an actual engine's paper wrap, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, I wanted a good contrast. Avast!

I gave t' kit a 4 1/2 point ratin' as t' nozzle isn't an accurate depiction o' a real model rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! This is really a moot point. Ya scallywag! T' kit was a great build, matey, but I would imagine FlisKits would work in this change on t' next batch o' kits. Aye aye! Well, me bucko, blow me down!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

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

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

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

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5