FlisKits Richter Recker

FlisKits - Richter Recker {Kit} (CL001)

Contributed by Greg Deeter

Diameter: 2.22 inches
Length: 92.20 inches
Manufacturer: FlisKits
Skill Level: 3
Style: Cluster, Sport
(Contributed - by Greg Deeter - 01/14/04)

Brief:
This is a huge rocket, over 7 feet tall that thumps the cloud cover with a hefty trio of D's. The Richter Recker is the top of the line rocket from the new company FlisKits at $28.95. It's huge, good quality and is very impressive looking. I ordered mine right after FlisKits opened, and my Richter Recker is hand numbered #05. I think the hand numbering (with a black sharpie) is a great touch of class.

Construction:
This big huge 7+ foot tall cluster rocket kit came to me (ordered direct from the company) in a very large bag and header (Estes) type package. Full color insert and the packaging looks better than Estes. Here is what it includes :

  • Rocket Pic NCB-70AJ Balsa Nose Cone 4.25"
  • NBB-70-4 Balsa Nose Block
  • (5) BT-70-1750 Body Tubes 17.5"
  • BT-69-04 Body Tube 4.0"
  • (3) BT-50-04 Engine Tube 4.0
  • (3) CPL-70-4 Stage Coupler 4.0"
  • (2) FSB-6-4-9 Stock Balsa Sheets 3/16"
  • SE-L Screw Eye Large
  • (2) SC-2-18 Shock Cords 18" x 1/2
  • Parachute 24" (2)
  • SLCA-144 (2) Cotton Line
  • TD-1-6 Tape Disks
  • LL-2-2 Launch Lug 3/16"
  • (3) EB-50-0025 Engine Blocks
  • (3) EH-0275 Engine Hooks
  • DCS-SP003 Peel & Stick Decal sheet
  • FPS-SP003 Fin Pattern sheet
  • INS-SP003 Assembly Instructions
  • HNT-SL3CL Hints, Clusters, SL3 instructional information

Building this kit was very fun and interesting. The instructions included are excellent and this kit allows one to put up a cool looking rocket over 7 feet tall, on a 24mm cluster of (3). It's easy to build, under $30 and looks excellent with a unique (4) fin design with two shapes.

Rocket PicFinishing:
Two things disturbed me a little when building this. One thing being the seal method of ejection pressure, and the other being the recovery system. The instructions call for filling the void areas of the (3) engine cluster area with tissue and white glue. This works and I have done it with mine. But I think it would be better if the kit would provide a small piece of thin and stiff cardboard with a template or ideally die cut pieces to fit in. I really enjoyed building the kit and must give it a 4 out of 5 here.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
I have not flown this rocket yet. I will provide flight logs. It is expected to go up on Dec 7th in Houston.

Recovery:
I modified the recovery system by putting a double Kevlar® cord around the engine mount, and I added snap swivels, over 30 feet of 1/2 elastic and two nylon chutes.

Summary:
This is a very cool looking rocket for a great price. Over 7 feet tall, Will launch on a cluster of D's and is simple to build. I did not care for the recovery that came with it. Mine had enough of some type of clear plastic to make a few chutes, but not only do I not want to use clear material (cause you can't see it well), but I just don't care to build chutes. There are enough good chutes out there and it's not a wonder that this kit does not come with nylon chutes at the low price. The builder should pick his own chutes with this one. And it is a KILLER kit!

Other Reviews
  • FlisKits Richter Recker By Jason Toft

    Brief: A EXTREMELY large 3 x 24mm model rocket. The Richter Recker measures in at 92.2 inches, or seven feet, eight inches tall! FlisKits says it is the largest model rocket you can fly without having to get a NOTAM, since when you build it stock it weighs in at 15.9 ounces! I build mine on the heavy side, but that's kind of my technique! Construction: LOTS of rocket in a bag is an ...

Flights

Comments:

avatar
J.F. (March 22, 2004)
Just a couple of notes about the Richter Recker recovery. One, we are aware of confusion on the recovery device installation and will be correcting that soon. Two, we are aware of the dislike of clear plastic for the chutes and will be addressing this as well. Three, the shock cords are short because long ones are not needed. This model comes down in two section and the cords take VERY little stress. However, we will be lengthening these to 36" and clearing up the instructions concerning their attachment and use. Thank you for the great reviews and helpful feedback! jim

comment Post a Comment