Brief:
T' Deuces Wild is a very unique model rocket from FlisKits, a newer company on t' block in t' model rocket industry. Ahoy! Ahoy! T' Deuce boasts a cluster usin' dual 'canted' 18mm motors, which gives it a really cool look both on t' pad and in t' air.

Construction:
T' model came in a plastic bag, similar t' Estes Rockets, arrr, but that is where t' similarity ends. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Inside t' bag be a real balsa nosecone, shiver me timbers, somethin' I have nay seen in kits for years, along with motor mounts, me bucko, ya bilge rat, plenty o' Balsa for fins, parachute, me hearties, hardware and body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! What impressed me was t' quality o' t' components; t' bodytube has a nearly invisible spiral!

Moreover, me bucko, when I purchased me 'build' kit, me hearties, it came with t' new laser cut fiber centerin' rings, matey, which was one o' t' changes mentioned/recommended in a previous review. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! In fact, I had purchased an earlier Deuces Wild! kit, shiver me timbers, serial #9, me bucko, but wound up savin' that one due t' t' low serial number (yes, me bucko, they actually serial number t' first 100 kits produced off each line; a nice feature for collectors). Avast, me proud beauty! When I ordered t' second Deuce, me hearties, FlisKits sent me an extra set o' laser cut CR's for me 'pre-mod' kit so it would also have t' upgrade. Arrr! This be t' first time I had seen a manufacturer actually follow through with suggestions from rocketeers, ya bilge rat, arrr, arrr, then actually ship an upgrade for t' model; this be t' kind o' service that is unheard o' in this day and age; well done FlisKits!

Buildin' t' model be a blast as t' well written instructions made it very easy t' construct. Begad! I started by usin' t' new fiber laser cut CR's t' build t' motor mount assembly and it went together well. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! Extra tips in t' instructions on keepin' t' mount 'square' t' t' CR's made it very easy t' assemble. Arrr! Begad! T' MMT uses an upper and lower centerin' ring, me hearties, with a triangle support wedge for additional support and proper spacin' o' t' rings; it is a very solid unit once built.

Followin' t' MMT construction, me bucko, arrr, shiver me timbers, you need t' cut out a 'wrap' for markin' and cuttin' t' body tube. My wrap fit perfectly and I marked t' position o' t' fins, launch lugs and t' openings for t' MMT tubes. Arrr! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Next, I cut out each motor tube openin' and test fit t' MMT assembly; FlisKits has put some thought and effort into their templates as it be a good match. Avast! T' motor mount assembly was glued into t' bottom o' t' bodytube followin' t' instructions.

A nice touch for t' model be t' fact that you have t' 'cut out' your own fins from balsa stock.

This was very enjoyable and made it seem like you were really buildin' t' entire model, nay just assemblin' parts like other mfgrs. Fin patterns were simple t' use and I was impressed at t' fact that thar was actually balsa left over, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, another nice surprise as I had more than I needed, me hearties, rather than havin' t' worry about bein' short changed. T' fins were glued t' t' model and they state that you do nay need t' round t' edges o' t' fins. Blimey! Ya scallywag! I decided t' go 100% stock and followed all t' instructions t' t' letter for that 'nostalgic' look/build.

In keepin' with tradition, shiver me timbers, me bucko, I even used t' three-fold paper shock cord mount, shiver me timbers, provided with t' templates. Begad! Once installed, arrr, I coated t' top o' it with glue and t' date is still in great condition, matey, ya bilge rat, even with many launches. Blimey! T' nosecone was next; they recommend usin' sandin' sealer, but I used thin CA glue instead, shiver me timbers, which after two coats and some sandin' gave t' nosecone that plastic look and feel. An 'eye' screw is provided for mountin' t' other end o' t' shock cord t' t' nosecone, which worked out well. Begad! Finally, t' parachute be assembled. Begad! Begad! FlisKits uses a plastic parachute similar t' Estes, me hearties, matey, where t' chute is cut out per t' instructions on t' parachute plastic and shroud lines are attached. Ahoy! One unique difference is that they use a single parachute pattern for all sizes; you simply cut out t' size you need from t' pre drawn pattern.

Finishing:

I finished t' model usin' Krylon paints, after rubbin' Elmer's Fill and Finish in t' balsa grain; I did mine in a Red-Silver-Black pattern. Begad! After a few coats o' primer, shiver me timbers, t' paint went on and covered well. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! I did nay bother clear coatin' as I didn't want t' add extra weight. Arrr! As is, t' model is surprisingly light considerin' it's size.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:

I showed up t' t' launch field on an off-week for our local club t' find two o' our club officers gettin' ready t' fly LPR. Aye aye! Ahoy! We set up some pads smartly and I began preppin' t' Deuces Wild for it's first flight. Avast, me proud beauty! I used two B6-4's for t' maiden voyage and went completely traditional, ya bilge rat, usin' tissue for waddin' and maskin' tape t' retain t' motors.

Recovery:

T' Deuce took t' t' air under dual power t' a nice and low flight o' around 250=92 or so and ejection happened just beyond apogee. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! T' model floated gently t' t' ground usin' t' 16" parachute and landed without a scratch. Begad! With as light as it is, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, I could almost bet it would take a tumble in without chute and still do fine. Blimey! Aye aye! I launched a few other rockets and by then t' wind had calmed a bit, shiver me timbers, so I prepared t' Deuces Wild! again with a pair o' C6-5's this time. Aye aye! Both motors lit and t' smoke trail be very defined and cool- I finally got t' see me first dual cluster smoke trail and it was a great one at that! Altitude was very good, flight was straight as an arrow and ejection happened right at apogee. Well, blow me down! From then on, ya bilge rat, I have been hooked. T' Deuce had flown several times since then, me bucko, mostly on C6 motors and has even landed unscathed with a broken shroud line on me chute. Avast! Begad! I have been very pleased with t' looks and performance o' this model.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:

In summary, me bucko, t' FlisKits Deuces Wild! Blimey! is an easy building, shiver me timbers, great flyin' model that screams nostalgia, me hearties, thanks t' good old fashioned high quality components, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, matey, yet it boasts high tech with a canted cluster design. Arrr! Blimey! T' manufacturers have got it right on this one and I highly recommend this kit t' anyone that wants a great rocket that is even a better flier. Begad! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! In fact, I liked it so much I designed and build a 38mm upscale o' t' 'Deuce' and hope t' debut it at NSL 2003. More t' come on that, but for now, me bucko, shiver me timbers, I recommend you look at this modestly priced model as an addition t' your fleet. Ahoy! Blimey! You don't have t' worry about gamblin' on this one as you just can't lose with 'Deuces Wild!'.

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5