Looking at the rocket, that all important question comes to mind... Does this rocket that looks like it stepped out of a cartoon really fly? In fact, this rocket is so different that when my son saw it online, he absolutely wanted one. He got one for Easter and dad had the pleasure of building it. This is a level 3 kit and not for inexperienced builders. It is by far the hardest level 3 kit I've built to date. Building the model rocket provided quite the challenge. If you're bored with the usual kits, give this one a try. The rocket shown in the image was built using the color patterns which are available on the FlisKits web site. Using them adds some challenges but does give you a look which matches the one on the face card closely, complete with bullet holes. The face card doesn't appear to list estimated altitudes. The FlisKits ACME Spitfire uses a plastic parachute for recovery.

Parts List

The see-through bag the kit comes in is rather large, this is no small rocket. It includes the items listed below and the usual color face card.

- BT-70 body tube
- body tube pattern sheets
- BT-50 body tube
- balsa nose block
- 2 balsa fin stock sheets (1/8"), fin and lug standoff pattern sheet
- launch lug
- engine block and engine hook
- square tooth pick
- 7 centering rings
- screw eye and shock cord
- 16" parachute canopy, tape discs and shroud lines
- clay nose weight
- instructions (8 pages), warranty and safety information

Launch supplies are not included. Hobby supplies needed to build your own ACME Spitfire include black and red pencils, hobby knife, masking tape, ruler, fine sand paper and glue.

Construction

After gluing the motor block and attaching the engine hook to the BT-50 tube, the real fun begins.

Mark the BT-70 tube with black and red lines, using the first body tube pattern. Cut out the four body tube patterns and use them to cut parts of the BT-70 body tube as specified. Each is wrapped around the body tube and held in place with masking tape. It is then used to mark the uneven lines onto the body tube for cutting.

Sure, I've cut uneven lines on body tubes before... more than once... but not on purpose!

As if the body tube cutting wasn't squirrelly enough, you now find yourself looking at six of what have to be the oddest centering rings you've ever seen. These will help you assemble the rocket correctly. You can use a launch rod (placed through the small holes in the centering rings) as a guide for optimal placement.

While the fins certainly look like something you'd mail-order from ACME, you cut them out yourself from the 1/8" balsa sheets provided. Not two fins are the same shapes. As things get crazier, more questions come to mind... Will it be stable? Will it fly straight?

If you plan on using the skins/decals (see finishing), now would be a good time to apply them. Before you do so, be sure to mark the inside of your body tube with the red & black lines found on the outside. You will rely on those lines to build the rocket correctly and once you apply the skins to the body tubes, you obviously can't see the lines anymore. To avoid running into trouble, mark the inside of the tubes and once the skins are applied, gently mark the outside with a small pencil line.

The Spitfire almost certainly didn't come out 100% the way it should have, still looks great on the launch pad. Most importantly, my son says it looks "cool", and as it is his rocket, that's all that matters.

Finishing

You can either paint, or otherwise decorate, the ACME Spitfire as you see fit. If you wish to match the look on the face card, FlisKits has made free printable patterns available to do just that. Simply download them onto label paper and card stock and apply. Note that you'll want to make this decision before you build the rocket. The label paper is best applied after your cut out the body tube sections.

While those patterns are free, the label paper and card stock paper you'll need aren't (and you can't buy just 3 sheets). Check the prices on the paper, and purchase the smallest quantity possible, as you may end up paying as much for it as you did the rocket kit.

As indicated in the instruction booklet, if you use the pre-printed patterns, adding clear coat will help prevent runs if the model rocket gets water on it.

Measurements

This flying (we hope) model rocket is 18.1" tall with a fin span of 8" and a diameter of 2.217".

Flight Data

To see if this cartoon of a rocket really flies, use one of the recommended engines : C11-3 or D12-3.

First flight was on a D12-3. This rocket attracted a bit of attention while getting it to the launch pad. Many knew what it was others wondered if it would fly straight. The Spitfire went straight up and all was well until the ejection charge fired...

It blew up the shock cord and parachute, causing it to come down without a parachute. Amazingly enough, it suffered no damage at all to the airframe after it hit the ground. The ejection charge was also very, very loud which makes me wonder is this was an issue with the motor.