FlisKits StarLoad

FlisKits - StarLoad {Kit}

Contributed by Joe Policy

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Manufacturer: FlisKits

Brief:
A big 3x24mm cluster rocket with a huge 22.56 cubic inch clear payload bay. This is the big brother to the FlisKits PayLord.

Construction:
The kit includes:

  • 1 balsa nose cone
  • 1 2" balsa adapter
  • 1 10" clear payload tube
  • 1 17.5" body tube
  • 3 9" body tube
  • 1 1/8" thick balsa fin stock
  • 2 centering rings
  • 3 engine blocks
  • 1 Kevlar® shock cord
  • 2 cotton shroud lines
  • 2 sets tape disks
  • 1 screw eye
  • 2 launch lugs
  • 2 16" parachutes
  • 1 wide elastic shock cord
  • 1 fin pattern sheet
  • 1 set instructions

Assembly is almost identical to the Fliskits PayLord, only on a larger scale. In place of vent plugs, this kits uses two centering rings to mount the three engine tubes into the main body tube. You must be careful with these rings as they are quite fragile until glued into place.

Unlike the PayLord, the Kevlar® shock cord is attached to the two centering rings and is internal rather then external. I do prefer this method to the external.

If you have built the PayLord, you will have no problems whatsoever building this kit. Even if this is the first one you build, the clear and easy to read instructions and high quality parts with have you flying this 3x24mm cluster in no time.

Finishing:
The paint scheme is exactly like the PayLord. Of course, you can let your imagination run wild. No matter how you finish it, this rocket is quite an eye catcher due to its size.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
FlisKits recommends C11-3, D12-3, or E9-4 for heavy payloads and C11-5, D12-5, or E9-6 for light payloads.

I went for broke and decided to launch 3 medium eggs on 3xE9-4 motors. The eggs were separated from each other with cotton balls. It had a beautiful, straight boost with good altitude considering the weight of the payload. All eggs came back intact.

Recovery:
The rocket includes two 16" plastic parachutes which worked well for my three egg launch. The Kevlar®/elastic shock cord system has proven to work well flight after flight.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
This is a great kit! It is big and beautiful, easy to build and has the capacity for large payloads. I believe I could have added 2 more eggs to the bay for a 5 egg launch--and I just might do that!

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5

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Comments:

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A.K.S. (December 12, 2005)
Built the model and used the same colorful painting scheme. Only differences were engine hooks and a 30" nylon X-form chute which I am glad I used. Launched the model the last launch of the season on November 26th. Next time I use my own pad and not the clubs as there was binding on the launch rod I should have remedied first! Model went up and only two E9-6's ignited which is unusual for me. I generally get them all to fire. Model cocked 90 degrees at about 150 feet and tore off west away from the launch line. Chute did deploy and she'll fly again next season. Had to walk a half a mile or more to get her! Will launch up radio transmitters in her next year.
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G.H.G. (February 25, 2006)
Everything that could go wrong did during construction. Engine block slid down before glue dried but not discovered until next day. Had to make various spacing elements to even things up. Broke fin during sanding. Tube fillets ran due to vertical storage. First launch cancelled due to high winds. Next two attempts had only 1 engine light. Realized at 40ft apogee that insurance probably wouldn't cover a Starload-sized dent in the car roof. Finally had a satisfying 2-engine flight with my last egg. None of this is Fliskits' fault...it's a fine kit, and surprisingly gigantic when fully assembled. The twin chutes are particularly stylish during descent.

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