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

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

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

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

In t' pictorial review I noticed t' nozzle wasn't an accurate depiction o' a B6-4. T' throat widens where the clay meets t' black powder. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! I know in t' next "run" o' kits this will probably be corrected. Begad! Begad! 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, Spines and "Plates" (Thick)
• Nozzle Shroud pattern sheet (Thin)
• Instructions

T' modification was actually pretty simple. Ya scallywag! 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. And, I added back t' triangular sides (nozzle contour) t' t' propellant plate. Well, blow me down! I cut them from t' original laser cut sheet. Since they were cut from t' same piece, shiver me timbers, they fit perfectly.

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

T' top o' t' lug was 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. Ahoy! Well, blow me down!

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

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

T' ejection charge be a little different. Blimey! A base coat o' gray was followed by a mist coat o' black. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! I used a black Sharpie pen t' simulate t' loose charge granules. Avast, me proud beauty! I then added a few white dots from a white out pen.

T' engine casin' was shot with a Rustoleum Cinnamon color. Avast, me proud beauty! While I could have gone with a color closer t' an actual engine's paper wrap, I wanted a good contrast. Avast, 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. Blimey! Blimey! This is really a moot point. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' kit be a great build, ya bilge rat, 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 be very thick and strong, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, arrr, more like matte board for picture framing. Avast, me proud beauty!
• T' pattern sheet has four nozzles t' cut out and form. Ya scallywag! Well, matey, blow me down! You are also given two extra nozzles (each) in case you aren't happy with t' first attempt. Ahoy!
• Well illustrated instructions, more o' a 3-D renderin' than t' standard 2-D look.
• T' finished model is plenty big and strong.

This is a well engineered model. Ya scallywag! Arrr! 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.

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

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5