This model rocket kit comes complete with all parts required to build one Tumble Weed.
- balsa nose cone - tail ring tube - engine hook and guaze - launch lug - balsa fin stock sheet - fin pattern sheet (to be cut out) and fin template - fin marking guide (to be cut out) - instructions Launch supplies, hobby supplies and paint, required to build and launch the model rocket are not included. Construction The Thumble Weed level two model rocket kit is suitable for ages 10 to adults. A hobby knife and possibly a razor saw are required, an adult should handle those parts of the building process. To build the rocket, start by cutting out the fin marking guide and use it to mark the body tube. Cut out the fin pattern guide also. Cut three fins from the balsa sheet and match them against the fin template for accuracy. Next are the fin tips. Cutting these from the balsa fin stock requires a steady hand and an eye for detail. Luckily, the fin stock sheet is much larger than required. If any mistakes are made during cutting, you can try again. Attach the fins. Modify the nose cone by removing all but 1/4" of its shoulder and glue it to the body tube. Attach engine hook and glue gauze over it to keep it in place. Attach the launch lug. Now the tail ring tube and fin tips are put into place. When the glue dries, the model rocket is ready to finish. The launch lug in the kit was about twice as long as the one shown in the instructions. The one in the kit was trimmed to match what was shown in the illustrations. This is an enjoyable FlisKits rocket kit to build and offers a nice challenge, for a level two model kit. Update : FlisKits now includes laser-cut fins with the Tumble Weed kit. You no longer have to cut the fins yourself. Finishing This small rocket takes quite some time to paint, if you decide to go for a paint scheme similar to the one shown on the face card. First, the fins and ring tail was masked off and the remainder painted gloss teal (Testors Acryl #921514). After the paint dried, the masking tape was removed from the fins (not the ring) and the teal colored bits were masked off. The fins were painted gloss green (Testors Acryl #921553). Once the paint dried again, the masking tape around the ring was removed and the fins were masked off, exposing only the ring. The ring was painted gloss glue (Testors Acryl #921514). Once the paint dried, all masking tape was removed. This is a bit scary, as you never know what you end up with until all tape is removed. The acrylic paint was sprayed using a Testors air brush. Measurements This Fliskits model rocket is around 3 1/2" tall and the tail ring has a diameter of about 7/8". Flight Data Recommended mini rocket engines are : 1/2A3-2T and A3-4T. First the Tumble Weed was launched with a 1/2A3-2T. It didn't go very high and spiraled a little on the way up. After the ejection charge fired, it came tumbling down and was recovered close to the launch pad. The motor didn't kick back all the way. For the second flight, a A3-4T motor was used. Went up higher than the first flight and also spiraled a little as it approached apogee. It tumbled down and was successfully recovered again. This time, the motor casing ejected all the way and wasn't kept in place by the long engine hook. A few months later, it was flown on an A10-3T. It was a fast, fun, flight. All three times the rocket was recovered close to the launch pad without any damage. Great little rocket for smaller fields. During these rocket reviews, this was the first rocket which depends on tumble recovery that was actually recovered. All the others were lost on their first or second flight. In that regard, the slightly higher price is justified easily.
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