Brief:
T' FlisKits Nomad is a very unique 3-stage model rocket that fills t' gap in model rocketry that has been missin' for quite some time. Arrr! As is, arrr, a three stage model is hard t' find, but they've hit t' target with t' Nomad, producin' a very cool and unique model that stands four feet tall and has one o' t' most unusual and innovative fin patterns you will ever see. Aye aye! Avast! T' fins for t' 2nd stage and 3rd stage blend together, givin' t' model a deceivin' look o' a two stage rocket. Ya scallywag! Begad! Additionally, me hearties, it uses a combo set o' motors, shiver me timbers, with 24mm for the first stage and 18mm for t' second stage and sustainer.

Construction:
T' kit comes in t' standard, shiver me timbers, colorful FlisKits package and includes more parts than I can mention! As a note, ya bilge rat, t' CR's are laser cut, matey, black fiber paper and excellent quality. All t' wraps actually fit perfectly and thar are many templates for t' model. Aye aye! Avast! Moreover, it come with both streamers and a parachute so you can decide how you want t' sustainer t' deploy. Begad! Finally, ya bilge rat, me bucko, a very detailed and comprehensive set o' instructions, ya bilge rat, complete with illustrations, compliments t' kit.

Construction is complex, arrr, as would be expected for a model o' this caliber, but it is extremely satisfyin' as t' detailed instruction manuals (there are two o' them) take you step-by-step through t' build with ease. Avast! Avast! Boosters are built first, me hearties, startin' with t' 1st stage. Begad! As with all FlisKits, you need t' cut your own fins, arrr, which at least for me made it seem more like I was building rather than assemblin' - a nice touch. Ya scallywag! T' lower booster section went together fast and t' design o' t' kit has it set so each stage is used t' build the next - at least that's how I did it.

T' 2nd stage booster is probably t' most challenging, as it shoulders down to a narrower Bodytube for t' sustainer. Begad! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Moreover, me hearties, t' fins o' t' second stage are made t' 'blend in' with t' sustainer fins, ya bilge rat, arrr, givin' t' model that cool two-stage look, then surprisin' them when t' third sustainer kicks in! Blimey! I used t' First stage t' align fins on t' second and went from there. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Well, blow me down! Blimey! Make sure you fit t' fins flush for better glue contact as they conform t' t' shoulder area.

T' Sustainer is a very long model that is coupled in t' center. Additionally, t' Keelhaul®©™® shock cord exits t' model from t' center, me hearties, which allows it t' recover and descend sideways, matey, a good idea for keepin' t' fragile sustainer fins intact. T' sustainer fins are attached flush against t' 2nd stage booster. Avast, me proud beauty! The nosecone is made from a very high quality balsa and be finished first, me hearties, me hearties, matey, sealing it with thin CA, me bucko, then sandin' and preppin' it for paint. Begad! An 'eye' hook is used at t' base o' FlisKits nosecones and works well for recovery. I also opted to use t' streamers on me model for recovery and once assembled, arrr, we moved t' the paint shop.

Finishing:
T' model was primed with several coats o' primer, ya bilge rat, then wet sanded until the finish was smooth. White Krylon Glossy paint was sprayed over t' entire model, then we deviated from t' stock paint scheme. This be goin' t' be me son's first 3-stage model and he wanted it done in fluorescent Green, matey, ya bilge rat, arrr, so we used the Krylon brand for this paint scheme. Ahoy! T' lower half o' t' Sustainer and second stage were done in t' green, while t' booster and upper sustainer were finished with White. Blimey! A piece o' Chrome Monokote self-stick strip was cut to blend t' transition and worked well. It looked pretty good and we were pleased with t' results.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
We waited until NARAM 45 before launchin' t' Nomad - we needed a lot o' field and spotters, shiver me timbers, we knew they would have both. Arrr! Well, matey, blow me down! While there, we met with Jim Flis and he seemed pleased with our model and noted this would be t' first one outside his demo he would see launch. Ahoy! Well, ya bilge rat, he donated a C11-0 for t' 1st stage booster as we forget t' get some, matey, then we used a C6-0 for t' 2nd stage and a C6-7 for t' sustainer. T' model be set on t' pad and me son Thomas hooked up t' leads. It be time t' launch.

When t' button was pushed, arrr, t' C11 immediately lit, easily liftin' this long and graceful lookin' model in t' air. T' 2nd stage booster ignited and Chris Taylor, shiver me timbers, I believe, got a great shot o' t' separation. Arrr! Avast! Finally, me hearties, t' 3rd stage lit, but we could nay see t' second stage booster freefall. Begad! T' motor appeared t' kick out though, which was good for us as it meant t' 3rd stage was under power. Aye aye! It did nay achieve as high an altitude as we expected, shiver me timbers, but the ejection charge did fire on time.

Recovery:
T' model ejected dual streamers at apogee and began it's decent t' t' ground. It landed safely, arrr, ya bilge rat, comin' down sideways like a competition model and landing softly on t' grass, matey, nay 75 feet from t' pads. Thomas be t' first thar and we unfortunately found t' second stage. Begad! Blimey! It was still attached t' t' 3rd stage sustainer and had just kicked out t' motor - me fault for nay friction fitting the motor. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Needless t' say, matey, me hearties, t' 2nd stage be a bit toasty from t' 3rd stage burn through and emotions were torn; we were both ecstatic t' fly our first 3-stage model, but a bit disappointed with t' results, thanks t' me mistake. Jim Flis loved t' entire flight and said he would mail parts t' repair t' 2nd stage booster, which he promptly did and they actually arrived 3 business days after NARAM 45 - THAT is customer service!!! Blimey!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Nomad is a very cool and unique model, me hearties, shiver me timbers, somewhat challengin' t' build but not extremely difficult. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! It does assemble well and flies as good as it looks - a real treat t' see t' peoples faces when that 3rd stage, me bucko, ya bilge rat, they didn't know about, kicks in! There were absolutely no glitches in construction; it was very straight forward and well documented. Moreover, arrr, t' flight characteristics make it a must have model for your silo. I highly recommend t' FlisKits Nomad 3-Stage Model Rocket, me bucko, ya bilge rat, one o' t' coolest models on t' market t' date - bar none!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5