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, arrr, t' host asked t' readers t' find t' mistake in his build. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! 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. Well, blow me down! I guessed wrong twice and another post got t' correct answer.

I was disappointed, me hearties, as I could see afterwards where t' mistake was made. Blimey! 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. Arrr! 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 be t' standard engine size, shiver me timbers, 3/4" x 2 3/4". Aye aye! This is a 3.1 upscale enlargement. Blimey! If you have ever tried explain how an engine works t' a classroom o' sixth graders, matey, shiver me timbers, you will certainly appreciate this model.

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. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! I know in t' next "run" o' kits this will probably be corrected. Begad! Aye aye! I thought I would build a nozzle closer t' t' actual contours o' t' intended engine. Well, blow me down!

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. Aye aye! 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. Begad! Begad! 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! Aye aye! I cut them from t' original laser cut sheet. Arrr! Since they were cut from t' same piece, shiver me timbers, they fit perfectly.

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

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

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

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

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

T' engine casin' was shot with a Rustoleum Cinnamon color. While I could have gone with a color closer t' an actual engine's paper wrap, me hearties, I wanted a good contrast. 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! Arrr! This is really a moot point. Begad! T' kit was a great build, matey, but I would imagine FlisKits would work in this change on t' next batch o' kits. Begad!

Construction Rating: 4 out o' 5

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

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

This is a well engineered model. Ahoy! A nice change and a good challenge. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! This is nay a 3 fin/nose cone build. Blimey! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! No manufacturer has produced somethin' like this before. Begad!

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

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5