Finding Flistopia
Based on a true story.
One day last year when I was but a wee BAR I took my 36 D Squared to the club’s field for some really high end D powered cluster flying. Upon arrival I found a group of rocketeers who had the air of hardened low power veterans. Little did I know that I had met up with a wily band of "Flisonians", where upon I attempted to engage them in a delightful round robin discussion of the virtues of the 36 D Squared. I pointed out the Play Boy-esq shapeliness of the fins, the kewl see though gap between the tubes, the subtle roundness of the nose cone and last, but not least, the lovely Air Force stickers I bought at Hobby Lobby that almost covered up the spiral grooves. Needless to say, my overtures were brutally rejected. They spoke of ejection baffles and ducting while I could only spew dog barf. Not yet being clip whipped into submission I had the unmitigated Gaul to compare the 36 D to the majestic Deuces Wild, where upon I was again schooled in the fine art of canted motors, friction fitting and spectacular smoke trails. I asked “what, what do I do?” After a brief pause they simply said “Keep flying Estes and when you stick you hand into the pile of goo that used to be your best rocket, you will know what to do.”
On the 5th launch the rubber shock cord broke, resulting in a cracked fin and a long, long walk to recover the nose section. Standing alone in the field with the shattered 36 D in hand, I began my journey on the road to Flistopia. I now knew there were other options out there, but that I would have to give up the hard habit of the 40-50% off coupons. Not being able to beat the Flisonians I would have to join them, or perish on the low power rack.
Now, like the Dark Father said in that movie, my journey to the Flis side is complete, for I have completed my first FlisKit. When I left Estes I was the learner, now I am the Master. With my new found skills I can fill the spirals, smell the dopey sealer and wet sand primer to my heart’s content. The gates of Flistopia have opened and I will never go back to laser cut fins or RFT (Ready For Trash) models. I am truly Born Again and Free at Last, Free at Last!
Look for the next installments:
My trip to Zoochville and Back Again.
Sunward Ho!
Riding the Starlight Express
Tell me your story.
Based on a true story.
One day last year when I was but a wee BAR I took my 36 D Squared to the club’s field for some really high end D powered cluster flying. Upon arrival I found a group of rocketeers who had the air of hardened low power veterans. Little did I know that I had met up with a wily band of "Flisonians", where upon I attempted to engage them in a delightful round robin discussion of the virtues of the 36 D Squared. I pointed out the Play Boy-esq shapeliness of the fins, the kewl see though gap between the tubes, the subtle roundness of the nose cone and last, but not least, the lovely Air Force stickers I bought at Hobby Lobby that almost covered up the spiral grooves. Needless to say, my overtures were brutally rejected. They spoke of ejection baffles and ducting while I could only spew dog barf. Not yet being clip whipped into submission I had the unmitigated Gaul to compare the 36 D to the majestic Deuces Wild, where upon I was again schooled in the fine art of canted motors, friction fitting and spectacular smoke trails. I asked “what, what do I do?” After a brief pause they simply said “Keep flying Estes and when you stick you hand into the pile of goo that used to be your best rocket, you will know what to do.”
On the 5th launch the rubber shock cord broke, resulting in a cracked fin and a long, long walk to recover the nose section. Standing alone in the field with the shattered 36 D in hand, I began my journey on the road to Flistopia. I now knew there were other options out there, but that I would have to give up the hard habit of the 40-50% off coupons. Not being able to beat the Flisonians I would have to join them, or perish on the low power rack.
Now, like the Dark Father said in that movie, my journey to the Flis side is complete, for I have completed my first FlisKit. When I left Estes I was the learner, now I am the Master. With my new found skills I can fill the spirals, smell the dopey sealer and wet sand primer to my heart’s content. The gates of Flistopia have opened and I will never go back to laser cut fins or RFT (Ready For Trash) models. I am truly Born Again and Free at Last, Free at Last!
Look for the next installments:
My trip to Zoochville and Back Again.
Sunward Ho!
Riding the Starlight Express
Tell me your story.
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