FLISKITS is Back

[eshenderson]

Trying to stay on top of all the threads regarding Fliskits has been a challenge. This will be the thread that will be followed regularly. The new website is under development, so in the meantime, we will use this thread to keep all updated of kit availability as we continue to ramp up production.

 

[Bat-mite]

Nice!

 

[KennB]

Too bad you couldn't make it to NARCON to make an announcement at the manufacturer's forum.
Still, I'm sure word has and will spread like wildfire as orders roll in and get shipped out.

 

[mjennings]

Do you plan on offering similar educational bulk packs to what Jim did?

 

[eshenderson]

We mirror the educational packages that Jim offered and are working on new ones as well. We offer the jig fin kits as well as some of the level 1 kits in educational packages.

 

[mjennings]

Awesome, I ran a cub scout pack rocket build last year with the whatchamacallit that went really well, and was hoping to use, those again, and maybe one of the other designs for the kids who participated this year! Glad to hear it.

 

[eshenderson]

For jig fin kits like the whatchamacallit, the next better size is the Thing-a -ma-jig. Same concepts. but larger with a motor mount. Th Rhino is another option, but you will need to deal with surface mounted fins to try to keep straightish.

 

[Crawf56]

Any plans to bring back the Goddard series of scale rockets?

Would love a Nell.....

 

[eshenderson]

Let me see if we have all the parts to kit a Nell.

 

[Major Tom]

How about the thunderbird?

 

[eshenderson]

We are kitting up Thunderbirds and Tartars this week.

 

[mbeels]

Let me see if we have all the parts to kit a Nell.

I'd also love a Nell!

 

[Ted Curtis]

Love to see Acme Spitfire available again. Tartar sounds great also!

 

[Joe Rocket 97]

They have Spitfires

 

[OZRoc]

I'd also love a Nell!

The Nell is a top little kit to both build and fly!

 

[mbeels]

The Nell is a top little kit to both build and fly!

That looks great! Is the "launch pad" design from the kit as well, or did you come up with that?

 

[neil_w]

I don’t think I ever considered how crazy it would be to build that thing...

 

[dr wogz]

Yeah, my Nell took a fair amount of forethought! I ended up with some 'pinned-in-place' jigs to hold the bent tubes in place while they cured. (I typically work on a sheet of drywall, so I can pin stuff down; an old R/C airplane builder's trick). Definitely uses all the 'model maker' skills I poses!

Haven't build the launch frame / pad for it though (yes, plans are / where included with kit) as it takes up a fair amount of space!

I find the best way to store this one, is to have a T-pin pinned in the wall, and hang it by the motor mount. Lying it down or propping it in a corner on the floor causes the tubes to bend / sag from gravity..

 

[OZRoc]

That looks great! Is the "launch pad" design from the kit as well, or did you come up with that?

Yeah the instructions came with the kit but not the parts.
You'll need 3/8" dowel (about 4 x 4' lengths), HD cardstock, 0.050-0.075" wire and a length of BT-55 airframe. Build the bottom frame first so you have something to sit the legs in.
I used heatshrink and epoxy on the bent bits as well as to hold the wire guides at the top.
Oh and the main kit has a piece of electrical wire to simulate a tube at the bottom but doesn't really take or hold the shape needed. Ditch this and use a bit of 3/16" PVC tube from a hobby shop. Heat and bend to the required shape.
You also need some corrugated cardboard to make the jigs seen in the first photo.
Cheers and have fun!

 

[eshenderson]

Love to see Acme Spitfire available again. Tartar sounds great also!

Ted, we do have spitfires. If you are interested, feel free yo PM me

 

[eshenderson]

Fiskits was typically considered a builders rocket. There are not many 3 fins and a nose cone kits in the Fliskits line up. I bought a Decim8 years ago that I plug away at from time to time.

 

[jetlag]

Yes, the Borealis and Tesla models are gorgeous and fly quite well. Always an ooooo or an aahh at launch.
Allen

 

[jqavins]

That's Jim's genius. Admittedly, I haven't built any myself (yet) but from all I've heard these kits fly well despite weird or sci-fi-esque looks and some fiddly bits, and that can be a hard design challenge.

Thanks for keeping it alive.

How's the new website coming? I trust you'll post a link here when it's ready.

Are you planning any new "flisesque" designs? For that matter, even though Jim has chosen to retire from running a company, might he consult on new designs?

 

[eshenderson]

The website is almost there. Turned out to be more work than we anticipated.

Yes, Jim is still involved in design work. Once we get most of the current kits available, we will start on designing new.

We now have a limited number of Deuces Wild and Tartar's available

 

[matthew]

Do you have a name other than "eshenderson"? Could you please put at least your first name in your signature?

Looking forward to seeing your website return. Hoping for the motor mount kits etc.

 

[eshenderson]

My friends call me Eric.

 

[Bat-mite]

My friends call me Eric.

What should we call you?

J.K.

 

[Ez2cDave]

What should we call you?

J.K.

"Sir" . . . or "Mr. Henderson" . . . LOL !

 

[neil_w]

 

[Bat-mite]