FlisKits Mudwasp

FlisKits - Mudwasp {Kit} (MX013)

Contributed by Jon Chrisman

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Diameter: 0.38 inches
Length: 7.92 inches
Manufacturer: FlisKits
Skill Level: 1
Style: Sport

fliskits_mudwaspBrief:
One of the newest additions to the Micro-to-the-Maxx lineup from Fliskits is the Mud Wasp. A unique six tube and fin design rocket.

Construction:
The parts consisted of:

  • NCB-3AM Nose Cone
  • CA-M Cord Anchor
  • Launch Lug
  • Engine Block
  • 2 Centering Rings
  • Motor Tube
  • Body Tube
  • 6 Short Body Tubes
  • Streamer
  • 6 Laser Cut Fins
  • Kevlar Cord

The instructions for the Mud Wasp are contained on one side of an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper with very clear diagrams and concise directions. It was a fairly quick build and someone with moderate modeling skills can realistically finish the kit in about an hour.

The assembly starts with the motor mount. One of the minor "gotchas" is inserting the motor block. You put a bead of glue at near the top of the motor tube and use a motor to slide the motor block up into the glue. Make sure you remove it before the glue starts to set!

Next you glue on the centering rings and tie the Kevlar line around the motor tube behind the forward ring. While setting the motor mount in the main body tube, I kept having difficulty as the Kevlar kept going into the ring of glue that I put in the main tube. I guess this was due some sort of static/magnetic attraction. However, I eventually got the Kevlar threaded through the tube and the motor mount set.

Next you assemble the shorter tubes by gluing them together in pairs. After gluing the 3rd pair of tubes, your first set should be ready to be mounted on the main body tube. Repeat this evolution 3 times. Then you attach the 6 fins in the 'valleys' of the six short tubes.

The Kevlar is then attached to the nose cone using a small braid nail and the streamer attached with tape to the Kevlar.

Finishing:
When I was building the Wasp, I had not given the paint scheme a thought. When finished, I decided that instead of using spray paint I would use some of my brush on paint and as many colors as I could. If I had thought it out in advance, I would have painted the parts prior to assembly.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
MicroMaxx motors only! And thats all that will fit! Like any of the other line kits from Fliskits, the Mud Wasp is a straight flier! Blink and you will miss it!

Recovery:
The brightly colored and reflective mylar streamer sure helped in spotting the model as it came back down. I lost track of mine until I spotted the flash of red from the streamer.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
The Mud Wasp will make a fine addition to anyone's MicroMaxx fleet. Quick, fun build and a great flier!

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5

Other Reviews
  • FlisKits Mudwasp By Chan Stevens (February 25, 2008)

    Fliskits continues to drive the rebirth of Micromax rocketry with this kit. 6 external tubes serve both stability and as anchor points for fins. This is a very simple build, and can probably be done in a half hour. It also flies very nicely on those tiny 1/8A motors. Once you get past the concept that you're dealing with really small parts, you'll appreciate that you're getting very good ...

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