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|
Estes Big Bertha |
Quest Big Betty |
Fliskits Rhino |
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Dimensions |
Length: 23.5" |
Length: 23.25" |
Length: 24.5" |
|
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Fin Span: 5.75" |
Fin Span: 4.75" |
Fin Span: 10.125" |
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Diameter: 1.637" |
Diameter: 1.637" |
Diameter: 1.637" |
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Weight |
3 oz |
2 oz |
2.5 oz |
|
Fins (qty) |
4 |
3 |
4 (or 3) |
|
Fins (material) |
3/16" balsa |
3/16" balsa |
1/8" balsa |
|
Fins (Laser, Die, You-cut) |
die-cut |
die-cut |
laser |
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Fin Mount (TTW, Surface, etc) |
surface |
surface |
surface |
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Body Tube (size) |
BT-60, 18" long |
BT-60, 18" long |
BT-60, 18" long |
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Body Tube (material) |
spiral wound with glassine coating BT |
white craft BT |
spiral wound with glassine coating BT |
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Motor Mount (size) |
18 mm |
18 mm |
18 mm |
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Centering Rings (qty) |
2 |
2 |
2 |
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Centering Rings (material) |
cardboard |
light cardboard |
fiberboard |
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Motor Retention (Y/N) |
Yes: engine hook |
Yes: engine hook |
Yes: engine hook |
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Nose Cone (material) |
plastic |
plastic |
balsa |
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Launch Lugs (material) |
1 long lug |
1 short lug |
2 lugs |
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Recovery Method |
parachute |
parachute |
parachute |
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Shock Cord (mat & len) |
1/8" elastic; length: 16" |
1/16" round elastic; length: 24" |
1/8" elastic; length: 36" |
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Shock Mount (3-fold, motor tube) |
3-fold |
kevlar/motor mount system |
3-fold |
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Parachute (material & size) |
plastic, 12" |
plastic, 15" |
plastic, 16" |
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Heat Shield (Piston, Nomex, etc) |
no |
no |
no |
|
Fin Alignment Guide |
yes |
yes |
yes |
|
Decals (self, water, vinyl, etc) |
self-stick, 1 item placed on body tube |
self-stick; 1 large body tube sticker and numerous fin
stickers |
none*. Builders are instructed to visit www.fliskits.com to download and
print up decals. |
|
Recommended Motors |
A8-3, B6-4, C6-5 |
A6-4, B6-4, C6-5 |
A8-3. B6-4, C6-5 |
|
Instructions (# of pages, size) |
well documented, several sheets containing clear and concise
instructions |
well documented, several sheets containing clear and concise
instructions |
Fliskits offers excellent instructions including tips and wonderful
illustrations. The instructions are geared towards the beginner and are easy to understand and follow. |
|
Illustrated (hand or computer) |
yes |
yes |
yes |
|
Photo-Illustrated (B&W, Color) |
no |
no |
no |
|
Price |
$11.99 |
$8.99 |
$12.95 |
|
Construction Rating |
4 |
4 |
5 |
|
Flying Rating |
5 |
5 |
4 |
|
Overall Rating |
4.5 |
4.5 |
4.5 |
|
Review Pro's |
The long stuffer tube is nice, allowing for less confusion in packing
wadding and providing certainty that any ejection charge will loosen the nose cone. |
shock cord mount is superior to the other two rockets. |
the basla nose cone and the freedom to create different fin styles sets
this rocket apart from the other two. This kit does have a nostalgic feel with the balsa nose cone. |
|
Review Con's |
Shock cord mount is not very strong. Shock cord is also short. Shock
cord attachment. |
centering rings not very strong. |
Finishing the balsa nose cone takes more time; shock cord
attachment |
|
Comparison Pro's |
This is really THE classic Skill Level 1 bird using a BT-60 body tube.
Everyone builds a Bertha at some point, and it just seems like a rite of passage. The one long launch lug is easier to
apply than the lugs on the Rhino. |
Cheapest rocket; best shock cord attachment; stylish features.
|
The fin designs are unique, allowing for individual flair from each
builder. The balsa nose cone is cool, the parachute is great. Great quality parts and instructions. Made in the U.S.A.
Great customer service (they usually answer e-mail questions in less than 24 hours!). |
|
Comparison Con's |
Made in China. self-stick decals; mediocre shock cord mount. |
Made in China. Self-stick decals, particularly the fin decals don't fit
well and require a steady hand for a really good look. |
no decals. Mediocre shock cord mount. The need to line up two launch
lugs makes this a bit more challenging than the Bertha or the Betty. |
