Brief:
I "won" this kit on a rocketry forum. Aye aye! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! A build thread hosted by Powderburner followed t' steps o' the assembly.

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

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

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

In t' pictorial review I noticed t' nozzle wasn't an accurate depiction o' a B6-4. Aye aye! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! T' throat widens where the clay meets t' black powder. 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. Avast! 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, ya bilge rat, Spines and "Plates" (Thick)
• Nozzle Shroud pattern sheet (Thin)
• Instructions

T' modification be actually pretty simple. Avast! 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 be widened slightly. Blimey! Begad! And, ya bilge rat, I added back t' triangular sides (nozzle contour) t' t' propellant plate. Begad! 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, this actually makes for an easier t' build kit. I've never been a fan of paper shrouds. Begad! Begad! Blimey! But, shiver me timbers, FlisKits included two extras o' each shroud. Arrr! Arrr! Blimey! If you messed one up, matey, simply cut out another and try again. Begad!

T' top o' t' lug was plugged with a piece o' half-round cardstock. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I formed t' half-round plug (end) into a round shape by rollin' it around t' end o' a paint brush handle. Aye aye! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey!

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

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

T' ejection charge was a little different. Avast! Blimey! A base coat o' gray was followed by a mist coat o' black. 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. Begad! While I could have gone with a color closer t' an actual engine's paper wrap, me bucko, I wanted a good contrast. Ahoy! Well, blow me down!

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

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. Well, blow me down! Avast, matey, me proud beauty!
• T' pattern sheet has four nozzles t' cut out and form. Well, blow me down! You are also given two extra nozzles (each) in case you aren't happy with t' first attempt.
• Well illustrated instructions, more o' a 3-D renderin' than t' standard 2-D look. Aye aye!
• T' finished model is plenty big and strong.

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

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

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5