Brief:
This is a single stage rocket, skill level 2 from the new company FlisKits. It has an interesting fin area with a ring. It says that it was first introduced at the Seventh Annual North East Model Rocket Convention (NEMROC7). I ordered this direct from FlisKits online and had it in 2-3 days by mail. The package is very nice looking. It came in a retail type bag (like Estes) with a hole punched header card, and full color cardboard insert. If I saw one of these on a hobby shelf or peg, it would get my attention, because it looks great. It also has a production number, which I like. The production number is entered with a black sharpie on the main package insert card. Very nice attention to detail in that way. Mine is #19.

Construction:
The back side of the color cardboard insert has a nice detailed parts list, list of required tools and what is required for launching. It comes with :

• NCB-50Y Balsa Nose Cone
• (2) BT-50-17 Body Tubes
• CPL-50-01 Stage Coupler 1.0"
• CPL-70-0125 Stage Coupler 1.25"
• FSB-2-3-6 Balsa Fin Stock 1/16"
• LL-1-1 Launch Lug 1"
• BT-20-0275 Engine Tube 2.75"
• EB-20-0025 Engine Block
• (2) CRF-20-50 Centering Rings
• EH-0275 Engine Hook 2.75"
• SE-M Screw Eye Medium
• SC-1-18 Shock Cord 18"
• PCP-16 Parachute 16"
• SLCA-96 Shroud Line Cotton
• TD-1-6 Tape Disks

It also includes excellent detailed instructions with figures/pictures, a preflight checklist and the history of the design of the rocket. A very nice complete kit with attention to detail.

The instructions were very easy to follow. As this kit comes without die-cut fins, you must cut the fins yourself. There are three fins made from six pieces, plus the outer ring. When I opened this kit one night I was wondering about how hard it would be to build. So I just jumped right in on it. Using a razor saw, I had enough balsa (good quality hard 1/16") to make 4 of each piece. Picking my best 3 of each shape I use a sanding block and got them all uniform. I don't know if it was luck or just good design with the templates being perfect, but everything fit totally perfect and snug. I used CA to tack the six fin pieces into their three locations. Then used white glue for fillets. Finally I used CA to attach the ring around the fins and gave it some very light white glue fillets.

The FlisKits' Corona comes with a FlisKits' parachute, which is like an Estes plastic 'chute, and it is designed to use the Estes type 3-folded paper to the inner wall type shock cord mount. This is where I changed mine. I adhered a 24" piece of Kevlar® cord to the engine mount using CA (see picture). Then I tied a small snap swivel onto it and then used the 18" shock cord attached to the nose cone.

Finishing:
Finishing this rocket can be fun and has a wide variety of ways of doing it. It did not come with decals. I gave it a quick twice over with white primer, and a few hours later a few coats of Krylon 18K Gold Plate. It looks pretty darn nice I do believe! It's a little hard to spray paint due to the ring around the fins, and I am considering painting the ring black with a small brush. That would really make it stand out. For construction and finishing, I give it a 5/5 for a skill level 2.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
I have only flown it once, with a C6-5 before paint. It was straight up and very high and looked nice. I can't wait to fly it again with the 18K Gold Plated paint job. I just got in my order of Aerotech D21 Blue Thunders, so that will be what it rides on next time.

Recovery:
While this kit came with a plastic 'chute and an 18" shock cord, along with the Estes type cord mount, this will work. That is why I am giving it a 5/5. It was only by personal preference that I added the Kevlar® to the mount cord and snap swivel. I would have loved to see a small nylon chute, but it would not be reasonable to expect that, because this kit is not expensive at all.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
This FlisKit's Corona kit reminded me of the cool 70's and 80's Estes kits. It's not just one you glue together and slap on the launch pad. It takes thinking and a little skill. It's fun to build, and it provides a nice reward when you are done. I see no way of improving it at all. It's a super kit for the price, as all components and instructions are excellent. Overall, I give it a 5/5.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5