Brief:
T' Deuces Wild is a very unique model rocket from FlisKits, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, a newer company on t' block in t' model rocket industry. 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, me bucko, me bucko, similar t' Estes Rockets, arrr, but that is where t' similarity ends. Aye aye! Blimey! Blimey! Inside t' bag was a real balsa nosecone, arrr, somethin' I have nay seen in kits for years, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, along with motor mounts, plenty o' Balsa for fins, matey, parachute, ya bilge rat, hardware and body tube. What impressed me was t' quality o' t' components; t' bodytube has a nearly invisible spiral!

Moreover, when I purchased me 'build' kit, it came with t' new laser cut fiber centerin' rings, ya bilge rat, which was one o' t' changes mentioned/recommended in a previous review. Arrr! Blimey! In fact, I had purchased an earlier Deuces Wild! kit, serial #9, but wound up savin' that one due t' t' low serial number (yes, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, they actually serial number t' first 100 kits produced off each line; a nice feature for collectors). Begad! Arrr! When I ordered t' second Deuce, FlisKits sent me an extra set o' laser cut CR's for me 'pre-mod' kit so it would also have t' upgrade. Begad! This was t' first time I had seen a manufacturer actually follow through with suggestions from rocketeers, 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 was a blast as t' well written instructions made it very easy t' construct. Avast! I started by usin' t' new fiber laser cut CR's t' build t' motor mount assembly and it went together well. Ahoy! Extra tips in t' instructions on keepin' t' mount 'square' t' t' CR's made it very easy t' assemble. T' MMT uses an upper and lower centerin' ring, 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, 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. Avast! Avast! Next, matey, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, 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 was a good match. Well, me bucko, blow me down! T' motor mount assembly be 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. Avast! Ya scallywag! Fin patterns were simple t' use and I was impressed at t' fact that thar was actually balsa left over, another nice surprise as I had more than I needed, rather than havin' t' worry about bein' short changed. Blimey! Begad! T' fins were glued t' t' model and they state that you do nay need t' round t' edges o' t' fins. I decided t' go 100% stock and followed all t' instructions t' t' letter for that 'nostalgic' look/build.

In keepin' with tradition, I even used t' three-fold paper shock cord mount, provided with t' templates. Avast! Blimey! Once installed, shiver me timbers, matey, I coated t' top o' it with glue and t' date is still in great condition, even with many launches. Begad! Blimey! T' nosecone was next; they recommend usin' sandin' sealer, but I used thin CA glue instead, which after two coats and some sandin' gave t' nosecone that plastic look and feel. Arrr! Blimey! An 'eye' screw is provided for mountin' t' other end o' t' shock cord t' t' nosecone, which worked out well. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! Blimey! Finally, t' parachute was assembled. Begad! Arrr! Blimey! FlisKits uses a plastic parachute similar t' Estes, where t' chute is cut out per t' instructions on t' parachute plastic and shroud lines are attached. Well, blow me down! 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. Arrr! After a few coats o' primer, t' paint went on and covered well. I did nay bother clear coatin' as I didn't want t' add extra weight. 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. Avast! We set up some pads smartly and I began preppin' t' Deuces Wild for it's first flight. I used two B6-4's for t' maiden voyage and went completely traditional, me bucko, 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. Ya scallywag! T' model floated gently t' t' ground usin' t' 16" parachute and landed without a scratch. Arrr! With as light as it is, I could almost bet it would take a tumble in without chute and still do fine. Blimey! I launched a few other rockets and by then t' wind had calmed a bit, so I prepared t' Deuces Wild! again with a pair o' C6-5's this time. Blimey! Begad! Both motors lit and t' smoke trail was 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, shiver me timbers, flight was straight as an arrow and ejection happened right at apogee. From then on, I have been hooked. Ya scallywag! Arrr! T' Deuce had flown several times since then, me hearties, mostly on C6 motors and has even landed unscathed with a broken shroud line on me chute. Aye aye! Ahoy! I have been very pleased with t' looks and performance o' this model.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:

In summary, t' FlisKits Deuces Wild! is an easy building, great flyin' model that screams nostalgia, thanks t' good old fashioned high quality components, arrr, yet it boasts high tech with a canted cluster design. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! 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. 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. Begad! More t' come on that, matey, but for now, I recommend you look at this modestly priced model as an addition t' your fleet. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! 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