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, t' host asked t' readers t' find t' mistake in his build. 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. Ya scallywag! I guessed wrong twice and another post got t' correct answer.

I was disappointed, as I could see afterwards where t' mistake was made. Avast! 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. Begad! 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, me bucko, 3/4" x 2 3/4". Blimey! Ahoy! This is a 3.1 upscale enlargement. Arrr! If you have ever tried explain how an engine works t' a classroom o' sixth graders, matey, me hearties, ya bilge rat, you will certainly appreciate this model. Arrr!

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

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 be 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. Avast! Begad! T' half circle cut o' nozzle Rin' #2 be widened slightly. Ahoy! And, I added back t' triangular sides (nozzle contour) t' t' propellant plate. Avast! I cut them from t' original laser cut sheet. Since they were cut from t' same piece, ya bilge rat, they fit perfectly.

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

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

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

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

T' ejection charge was a little different. Avast! A base coat o' gray was followed by a mist coat o' black. Begad! 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' be shot with a Rustoleum Cinnamon color. While I could have gone with a color closer t' an actual engine's paper wrap, I wanted a good contrast. Begad!

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

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

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

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

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5