Brief:
This is a 4 fin, futuristic, lightweight 10" rocket with streamer recovery and high quality components. The packaging is very attractive, professional and colorful as per FlisKit standards. An individual production number is provided for the first 100 kits, mine is #29. Although advertised as skill level 1, eight fin parts must be cut from a balsa sheet and glued.

Construction:
This kit contained the following parts, as listed by FlisKits:

• 1 Nose Cone, NCB-5S
• 1 Body Tube, 8.5" BT-5-0850
• 1 Balsa Fin Stock 1/16", FSB-2-3-9
• 1 Launch Lug 1", LL-1-1
• 1 Engine Block, EB-5-0025
• 1 Small Screw Eye, SE-S
• 1 Shock Cord, 12" SC-1-12
• 1 Crepe 18" Streamer, STC-2-1B
• 1 Shroud Line, Cotton, SLCA-12
• 1 Tape Disks, TD-1-1
• 1 Instruction Sheet, INS-SP005
• 1 Fin Pattern Sheet, FPS-SP005
• 1 Hints and Tips Sheet, HNT-SL1ST
• Also included was a separately packaged Kevlar® cord for part of the shock cord.

The assembly instructions for this kit consisted of twelve easy steps printed on one sheet. The steps were written for the novice rocketeer with generous explanations throughout. The usual fin templates and fin marking guide are provided on a separate sheet allowing for easy copying while eliminating the need for the cutting of instructions, (One of my pet peeves.) FlisKits always provide an ample supply of balsa for the hobbyist to experiment, make mistakes and ultimately create a perfect set of fins. Although advertised as skill level 1, keep in mind that eight fin parts must be cut from a balsa sheet and glued together to make four fins. Two of the fins have a slightly different shape than the other two, resulting in a model that is visually unique but challenging for the first time builder. Also of note is the non-conventional shock cord/recovery device of the OverDrive. Due to the small 13mm body tube diameter, FlisKits felt that an internal glued in shock cord mount would not fit easily, so they provide for a long Kevlar® cord that glues along a fin on the outside. I built my kit totally stock and the exterior mount works fine, although I added a small groove in the nose cone to allow the Kevlar® to pass under. The design seems to work well, although I have never had a problem with my Estes Screamer and its 13mm diameter body tube with accompanying internal shock cord mount. With a length of Kevlar® on the outside, aerodynamics is compromised, but it's not noticeable on a non-competition rocket weighing .3 ounces.

Finishing:
The model was a delight to finish. I don't know where FlisKits gets their body tubes, but I wish everyone used them. They barely have any spirals to them, requiring but two coats of primer and no filling. Another coat of Krylon enamel and some Krylon Clear Gloss resulted in a smooth perfect finish. I sprayed the body tube and fins maroon with a yellow nose cone. Realizing I needed to highlight the difference between the two sets of fins, I masked off and painted the tips of the two canard fins yellow as well. Unfortunately, no decals were provided. I would gladly pay an extra dollar for a water slide decal sheet, but perhaps first time builders wouldn't.

Construction Rating: 3 out of 5

Flight:
Preparation for launch was a little more difficult than usual because of the small body tube and stuffing the outside Kevlar® shock cord under the nose cone. After some "dog barf" wadding and some masking tape around the recommended 1/2A3-4T for a friction fit, it was ready to fly. We had a large crowd at our club launch and everyone was surprised at how quickly the OverDrive left the pad and the height attained on a 1/2A engine. The flight was perfectly straight.

Recovery:
The 18" streamer deployed near the 400' apogee and gently brought the model down within 50' of the pad. I should be able to launch the OverDrive with an A10 engine without fear of losing it due to high visibility red paint and streamer. The model is so light that it almost floats down with no chance of damage.

Flight Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
This is a high quality kit with first rate components. Not for the first time builder, this kit provides several challenges for youngsters or others with limited exacto knife and glue skills. It flies straight, very high and recovers nicely on 13mm engines.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5