FlisKits Deuce's Wild

FlisKits - Deuce's Wild {Kit} (CL002)

Contributed by Hank Helmen

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstar_borderstar_border
Diameter: 1.64 inches
Length: 21.20 inches
Manufacturer: FlisKits
Skill Level: 3
Style: Cluster, Sport

flis_deuces-wildBrief:
This is a skill level 3, two engine canted cluster rocket.

Construction:
The Duce has one body tube and uses four fins. It comes with a very nice balsa nose cone and two parachutes. The motor mount is unique but goes together easily and works great. Two pre-cut engine mounting rings are included with in the hardware. A BT-60 body tube is supplied in the kit as well as 30" of thin shock cord. The 1/8" fin stock was high quality balsa. The assembly instructions included an extra sheet "Hints for Cluster engines". Two 18mm engine blocks were also supplied, as well as two 1" launch lugs.

The Instructions are easy to follow and the supplied templates work nicely. The critical issue with this model is the mounting of the engines.

With the supplied cardboard wrap around template for cutting out the body tube, the engine mounts come out just right. you will need a very sharp #11 Exacto blade or single edge razor blade to cut the ovals for the engine mounts.

We added a Flis Kits ejection baffel kit into the body tube of the rocket. I am very happy with these baffel kits as they seem to prevent burning of the shock cord, and calm the blast of the ejection charge somewhat. I have never had an ejection failure while using one.

Finishing:
The rocket was finished in the normal manner with some spray can primer, a little light sanding with #400 grit wet or dry sand paper then an overall coat of Testors White spray enamel. Next the lower half was masked off using masking tape and newspaper. The top portion was sprayed with Ford metallic blue automotive touch up spray paint from the auto parts store. The lower yellow fins were sprayed with Testors spray enamel from the hobby shop.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

flis_deuces-wild_bothenginesgoFlight:
The recommended motors are A8-3, B6-4 and C6-5. Two are required for each flight. The first launch used Quest ignitors twisted together. On the second and subsequent launches Estes ignitors were used in the same manner. B6-4 engines are perfect for this bird, C6-5's work well also. There are no motor retainer clips so the engines must be taped into the mounts at the bottom to ensure ejection. We test flew the Duce on a rather windy day and she tracked straight despite some angle to the launch rod to compensate for wind drift.

Recovery:
The shock cord is the cloth/elastic material and works well. Using the Flis Kits BAF60 ejection baffel kit worked out nicely. There was no burn through in three seperate two engine flights and ejection was nominal every time. The launch team decieded to use a couple of sheets of recovery wadding just in case. The supplied parachute was not utilized. An older Estes 15 inch chute was subsituted and worked fine, no damage on three recoverys.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
The Duce's Wild is a fun kit. Something differnt that flies great. The best thing is watching the two smoke plumes as it climbs skyward. Building the engine mount you have to be careful but the supplied template really makes it easy. Cutting out the second engine oval in the lower body tube can get a little dicy with the sharp blade! Be carful here. The large fins make this a stable craft and the cluster engines really make it a home sick angel!

Overall Rating: 3 out of 5

flis_deuces-wild_finalignmentOther:
I wanted the fins to be exactly straight and 90 degrees. In order to set this up I used a 90 degree carpenter's square. I taped the rocket body down to a flat table top, then stood the square against the end where it could almost contact the fin. I used a piece of 3 X 5" index card taped to the fin to hold the fin exactly parallel to the square. The card was then clamped to the square with a clothes pin until the glue was dry. The next fin was put on 180 degrees to the first one, using the table edge as a "stop". The square was brought up as close as possible and that fin was held in place the same way until the glue was dry. And so on with the other two fins.

Other Reviews
  • FlisKits Deuce's Wild By Mike Salter

    The Deuce's Wild! is (in my opinion) one of the most innovative kits available at the moment and will undoubtedly become a classic. It's unique point is the dual smoke trails from the canted motors, a great spectacle that grabs anyone's attention. The moment I saw the Deuce (when FlisKits first opened), I wanted one and soon set about trying to bring them to the UK...this basically involved ...

  • FlisKits Deuce's Wild By Dick Stafford

    Brief: Just another quick review of The Rocketry Forum's favorite kit...large fins, 2 canted 18mm motors, 'nuff said! I won't repeat all of this information, I'll just be pointing out what I think are the high points, assuming you have read the other reviews, above. The parts are all of good quality, and the laser cut fiber motor mount components make assembly easy. With a balsa nose cone, ...

  • FlisKits Deuce's Wild By Carl Tulanko

    Brief: The Deuces Wild is a very unique model rocket from FlisKits, a newer company on the block in the model rocket industry. The Deuce boasts a cluster using dual 'canted' 18mm motors, which gives it a really cool look both on the pad and in the air. The model came in a plastic bag, similar to Estes Rockets, but that is where the similarity ends. Inside the bag was a real balsa nosecone, ...

  • FlisKits Deuce's Wild By Jason Toft

    (by Jason Toft - 04/15/03) Brief: An awesome little rocket with dual canted motor mounts. Just BEGGING to be upscaled Construction: When I received my Deuce, there was one 17 inch BT-60 tube, a balsa ogive nose, fin stock, motor mount materials, and other miscellaneous materials required for construction. (launch lugs, chute, etc.) I opened the package and inspected the quality ...

  • FlisKits Deuce's Wild By Douglas Gardei

    Dual Canted 18mm motor mounts. Designed to produce two distinctive smoke trails when launched. The Deuce's Wild comes with Estes quality parts. The Body tube is BT-60 sized, and is topped with a nice Balsa nosecone. The kit includes two 18mm motor tubes, and two thrust rings. No motor hooks are provided. Two sheets of balsa is used to cut out the four large fins form the pattern provided. The ...

Flights

Comments:

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J.F. (October 2, 2002)
As the manufacturer of the Deuce's Wild, I wanted to make a couple of comments about the kit and the review: First, and quite important, the Deuce's Wild! (and all FlisKits rocket kits) come with VERNON Estes quality parts. A significant difference we beleive, in the eyes of the long-time rocketeers. As for the motor mount, we have has several people construct the motor mount as described in the instructions with no problems, but we are still looking into possible changes per Doug's input. Cutting fins out by hand is a *feature* of FlisKits products. Gives a modeler a reason to learn how to use the tools of the trade, in our opinion. FlisKits is in the process of lengthening the shock cord on most of our kits, but the cord currently packaged with the Deuce's Wild is 18". If the one received with this kit was "less than a foot", then a problem got past our QC and will be corrected. We have also found tape disks with a much higher tack adhesive, so FlisKits parachutes will exhibit much higher quality and long life for your model. The paint job, pictures and vid's are all WONDERFUL. You did a FINE job constructing this model! KUDO's!
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L.V. (November 23, 2002)
I also have a Deuce's Wild kit #7. I too had a little problem with the motor mounting, but the rest of the kit went together great. I like the idea of cutting out the fins. I remember that from my early days of building rockets. I hope they don't change that. Mine has flown twice so far both times on a pair of B6-4s.Both flights straight and perfect. I also left the chute large. The dual smoke trails are really neat. This rocket is well worth the cost and is a lot of fun. Thanks Fliskits!!!
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G.D. (December 1, 2002)
My Fliskits Deuces' Wild is production #33. Just building it slow. Nice kit!
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J.F. (January 3, 2003)
UPDATE from FLisKits: For the record, after talking with other folks and reviewing the kit, parts and instructions, FlisKits decided that Doug was right on the money in regard to the motor mount assembly on the Deuce's Wild. Therefore, we have created a set of laser-cut rings and changed the assembly instructions to match what Doug came up with. These new rings, with modified instructions are already shipping with new orders. Additionally, FlisKits has contacted all customers who have purchased but not yet built their Deuce's Wild! kit and have shipped them a set of rings and instructions for use. We (FlisKits) have a very good product set, but not a "perfect" product set. Your help, feedback and suggestions go a long way toward helping us reach perfection. You talk, we listen and everybody benefits! Thank you!
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C.T. (January 24, 2003)
I just finished building my Deuces Wild and wanted to add that this kit is a MUST HAVE for anyone's fleet. I was one of the first if not the first to use the new "Laser Cut" black fiber Centering Rings during construction and they were a dream to work with; it takes all the worry of cutting your own out of the picture...Well done FlisKits! I alos agree with the ease of construction that Doug has posted and the results are astounding. Mine will fly this weekend and I will post a report.
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J.W.M. (May 6, 2003)
I got my Deuce in the mail on Sat and built it that nite! It has the new laser cut rings and went together like a dream! Painted on Sunday and I can't wait to fly it (raining and 40 M.P.H. winds today). I gotta a bulk pack-o-motors and a fresh charge on the launch batteries just waiting for the sun!!
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D.A.S. (August 19, 2003)
After losing my beloved and much-launched Flea at a CMASS launch, I had the good fortune to purchase my second FlisKit, the Deuce's Wild, from Jim himself! This is definitely a "builder's" kit. The jewel-like quality of the components, and excellent instructions, make it a real kick to build. You can really sink your teeth into this one. It's no wonder this kit keeps getting rave reviews- they are well-deserved. It looks bad to the bone with those huge fins and dual motor mounts. I can't wait to get my Deuce to a big field and fly it. Keep up the good work, Jim and Brian!
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S.E.O. (August 30, 2004)
Sent My DW up on it's maiden flight. The canted motors are very cool. This kit is definitely worth every penny!

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