Flis Kits Triskelion SP010 User manual

?2004, FlisKits, Inc., All rights reserved Triskelion Instruction Sheet: FK-INS-SP010 Rev: B
From:
Office of Chief Engineer
Vehicle(s):
SP010
Effective Date:
16-Sept-2004
Chief Ordinance Engineer Chief Deployment Engineer
Effective immediately, the attached procedures will be used in
the assembly and deployment of Launch Vehicle SP010,
known as “Triskelion”, released on the 2nd anniversary of the
birth of FlisKits, Incorporated.
Recommended Motors:
A8-3, B4-2, B6-4, C6-5
Flying Model Rocket
Assembly Instructions
Please read this entire instruction sheet before you begin, so
that you become familiar with each step in constructing the
Triskelion.
READ FIRST: Congratulations! You are about to build a
quality model rocket kit from FlisKits. If this is your first model
rocket then you are in for a real treat. Even if you have built
other model rocket kits, please read on.
The Triskelion kit is designed as a perfect first rocket kit and
the assembly steps should be easy to follow. That does not
mean that this kit will be a simple project. On the contrary, you
will have to carefully read each instruction step with the
associated figure if you are to properly assembly this kit. Even
if you have built other kits, you may find a surprise or two
because all FlisKits model rocket kits are constructed with
wood fins and balsa nose cones which do not appear in many
other popular kits.
Take your time and use this as a good opportunity to learn how
to work with these new materials. This will serve as a big help
as you get into more complicated FlisKits kits.
To assemble this model rocket kit you will need the following
tools and supplies: Hobby knife, white glue (DO NOT use Hot
Glue!), sand paper, masking tape, pencil, and ruler. To finish
this model you will need sand paper, wood filler/sealer, primer
paint and other paints of your choice. Additional items that can
help with the construction include clear plastic wrap,
cellophane tape, and a hole punch.
Now, on to Step One!

?2004, FlisKits, Inc., All rights reserved Triskelion Instruction Sheet: FK-INS-SP010 Rev: B
1. There is one large brown ring in your kit. This is the CRP-
50-55. This ring is not a part of your model. Rather it is
used to help you assemble your model. Take this ring and
put a small bead of glue on one side of it and glue this to
the center of the Fin Alignment Guidefound on the Fin
Pattern Sheet as shown in Figure 1. NOTE: Be sure this
is exactly in the center, as identified by the light gray ring
on the pattern. Also, if the crease in the pattern sheet
won’t lay flat, you can cover it with cellophane tape to help
flatten it.
Figure 1
2. Referring to Figure 2, make a mark on the Engine Tube,
¼” from one end and cut a very small slit here (just wide
enough to fit the end of the Engine Hook). Insert one end
of the Engine Hook into this slit (the other end will
overhang the other end of the tube). Make another mark
¾” from the OTHER end of this tube and use this as a
guide to wrap 3-4 layers of masking tape to hold the
Engine Hook in place.
Figure 2
3. Place a bead of glue on the inside of the top of the Engine
Tube and insert the Engine Block until it touches the
Engine Hook inside the tube, as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3
4. Modify one of the two black Centering Rings by cutting a
small notch on the inside circle, large enough to clear the
Engine Hook, as shown in Figure 4. You can use a hobby
knife for this step, but if you have a hole punch, it is
perfect for making this notch.
Figure 4
5. Referring to Figure 5, run a bead of glue around the
Engine Tube near the edge of the tape closest to the end
of the tube (near the ¾” mark). Slide the modified
centering ring onto the tube up to the tape with the Engine
Hook centered in the notch you made. Run another bead
of glue around the other end of the Engine Tube and slide
the remaining ring onto the Engine Tube until it touches
the Engine Hook. Let dry 12-24 hours!
Figure 5

?2004, FlisKits, Inc., All rights reserved Triskelion Instruction Sheet: FK-INS-SP010 Rev: B
6. Your Triskelion model rocket kit comes with Laser-Cut
Fins to make assembly easier. In some kits these are
loose, in others they are attached to a sheet of balsawood.
If your fins are attached, carefully removed them and
discard the scrap balsawood. Figure 6 shows you what
your fins look like and what they are called. It also
identifies the parts of a fin and other important information
about them. Also note that all of the fin edges are flat.
This is fine as this model is designed to be built and flown
with flat edges on the fins. However, you are free and
encouraged to try different things and the bottom of Figure
6 gives you a few ideas of how you can shape the leading
edges of your fins. NOTE: Only modify the leading edge.
Figure 6
7. Referring to Figure 7 & 8, apply a thin bead of glue to the
tip of one Fin and attach one Fin Tip as shown. NOTE:
Each Fin Tip has a lightly etched line to show you where
the Fin should be attached. These fins are designed so
that when properly glued the assembly will stand on its
own while it dries. Repeat this step for the remaining two
Fins and Fin Tips and set aside to dry.
Figure 7
8. Figure 8 shows an end view of the fin assemblies from
Step 7. Study this figure as it shows you the proper look
your fin assemblies should have. The image on the left
shows the fin straight up and down and centered on the
Fin Tip. This is correct. The other two images show
incorrect assemblies. The center image shows the fin off-
centered and the right most image shows the fin at an
angle. Straight fins mean straight flights for your model
rocket!
Figure 8
9. (NOTE: Read steps 9 & 10 before installing your engine
mount.) Referring to Figure 9 & 10, apply a liberal bead
of glue about 1 ½” inside one end of the Body Tube (the
largest tube in your kit). This bead of glue should go all
the way around the inside of the tube. Insert your Engine
Mount as shown, until the lower ring is just inside the Body
Tube. (NOTE: Make sure you install this such that the
Engine Hook is pointed down as shown in the figure)
Figure 9
10. To complete the installation of your Engine mount, grasp
your Body Tube as press down on a firm flat surface (like
a desktop) until the Engine Mount is pushed into the Body
Tube all the way, as shown in Figure 10. This will assure
that the Engine Mount is properly installed and is flush
with the bottom of the Body Tube. Let dry before going on
to Step 11.
Figure 10
11. NOTE: You must be sure that there is no wet glue on the
inside end of the Body Tube before performing this step.
Slide the Body Tube (Engine Mount down) onto the Fin
Alignment Template, right over the ring that you glued
down in Step 1, as shown in Figure 11. This will hold your
model upright and steady as you glue your fins on.
NOTE: If you are concerned about wet glue, you can
cover the ring and Fin Alignment Template with one
smooth sheet of clear plastic wrap to prevent accidental
gluing.

?2004, FlisKits, Inc., All rights reserved Triskelion Instruction Sheet: FK-INS-SP010 Rev: B
Figure11
12. Referring to Figure 12, apply a bead of glue along the
Root Edge of one Fin and attach it to the Body Tube such
that it is aligned with one of the fin outlines on the
alignment pattern. When properly attached, the fin should
be sitting flat on the paper, covering the fin outline on the
guide with the root edge of the fin flat against the Body
Tube. Once done, you can repeat this with the other two
fin assemblies then leave this assembly alone so that all 3
fins can dry completely.
Figure 12
13. Figure 13 shows you what your Triskelion should look like
at this point in the construction, with all 3 fin assemblies in
place. When COMPLETELY dry (12+ hours) remove from
the alignment jig. Be sure that the ring glued to the paper
is NOT stuck inside the body tube. Remove this ring if it is
attached to the rocket and discard.
Figure 13
14. Referring to Figure 14, screw the Screw Eye into the
center of the Nose Cone base. Now remove the Screw
Eye and place a drop of glue into the hole and reinsert the
Screw Eye.
Figure 14
15. Apply a thin bead of glue along the Launch Lug (small
white tube) and glue this to the Body Tube 1 ¼” from the
bottom of the tube, right in the joint between a fin and the
Body Tube, as shown in Figure 15.
Figure 15

?2004, FlisKits, Inc., All rights reserved Triskelion Instruction Sheet: FK-INS-SP010 Rev: B
16. Locate the three Toothpicks that came with your kit.
Using the template provided on the Fin Pattern Sheet, cut
these to 2 inches long. These are glued to the Fin Tips,
as shown in Figure 16, to provide necessary strength to
the Fin Tips and because they just look so cool.
Figure 16
17. Locate your Parachute, Shroud Lines (white thread) and
Tape Disks. Referring to the following steps, construct
your parachute. Figure 17 shows you the Parachute
unfolded. You need to cut out the 6-sided parachute as
described.
Figure 17
18. Locate the 6 Tape Disks. Find a circle on a corner of the
parachute and stick on one Tape Disk as shown in Figure
18. Repeat for the other 5 corners. (Thing-a-ma-FACT:
Tape Disks are used to provide added strength to the corners of
the parachute, where the parachute lines (shroud lines) will be
attached)
Figure 18
19. Figure 19 shows you how you can use a hole punch to
punch holes in the center of each tape disk.
Figure 19
20. Locate the white cotton Shroud Line (it is the bundle of
white string held together with tape). Carefully remove the
tape and unravel the thread without tangling it. Referring
to Figure 20, cut this thread into 3 equal length shroud
lines, each about 32” long. ADULTS may wish to help
with this step. (Thing-a-ma-FACT:Shroud Lines are the lines
that connect to the parachute to make it function properly).
Figure 20
21. Referring to Figure 21, tie one of the Shroud Lines to one
of the holes you made in a tape disk.
Figure 21

?2004, FlisKits, Inc., All rights reserved Triskelion Instruction Sheet: FK-INS-SP010 Rev: B
22. Tie the other end of this same Shroud Line to the next
hole, so that ONE Shroud Line is tied to TWO holes.
Repeat this step with the other 2 Shroud Lines until your
parachute looks like what is shown in the INSET of Figure
22. ADULTS may wish to help with this step.
Figure 22
23. Cut out the Shock Cord Mount from the Fin Pattern
Sheet. Secure the Shock Cord (elastic cord) into the
Shock Cord Mount as described here and shown in
Figure 23. First, fold the paper mount along both fold
lines then open and lay flat. Apply a glue film along the
entire surface of the mount and lay the shock cord onto
the mount as shown. Fold over the top of the mount and
apply another film of glue as shown. Fold again and apply
a liberal amount of glue to the entire face of this Shock
Cord Mount and glue inside the top of the Body Tube at
least 1” inside the tube..
Figure 23
24. Referring to Figure 24, tie the free end of the Shock Cord
to the Screw Eye in the Nose Cone. Also tie the gathered
Shroud Lines of the Parachute to the Screw Eye.
Figure 24
25. Figure 25 shows you two different views of how your
model should look. To complete your model and get it
ready for finishing (painting), run a bead of white glue
along EVERY glue joint and smooth it out with your finger
tip. This is called a “Glue Filet”.Be sure to apply a glue
filet at both sides of every joint where the fin meets a fin tip
and where the fins meet the body tube and even around
the launch lug, as shown in Figure 25. (NOTE: Do not get
glue or paint inside the launch lug!)
Figure 25
Congratulations! You have just completed building the
Triskelion model rocket kit from FlisKits!
To finish your model, seal all balsa parts with 2-3 coats of
Sanding Sealer, sanding with 400 –600 grit sand paper
between coats. Before painting, apply 1-2 coats of primer to
your model. Paint your model any color that strikes your fancy!
You can use the cover art for painting ideas.
If you want to get REAL fancy, you can use the patterns found
on the Fin Pattern Sheet to make a mask so that you can paint

?2004, FlisKits, Inc., All rights reserved Triskelion Instruction Sheet: FK-INS-SP010 Rev: B
your model to look exactly like the picture on the cover of your
kit!
Refer to the following Flight Preparation section for all you will
need to know about getting your Triskelion on the launch pad
and into the air!
Triskelion Flight Preparation!
1. Holding the center of
the parachute and the
end of the shroud
lines, draw the
parachute into a spike
as shown in Figure A.
2. Fold the parachute
over to make a thinner
spike as shown in
Figure B.
FIGURE A
FIGURE B
1. Fold this spike in half then roll it up as shown in Figure C.
Loosely wrap 2-3 wraps of the shroud lines around the
parachute.
FIGURE C
2. Referring to Figure D, take 2-3 squares of flameproof
recovery wadding, crumple up lightly and push into body
tube from the nose cone end.The wadding should fill the
tube about 1½ to 2 times the body tube diameter. NOTE:
Do NOT use tissue! The ejection gasses from the model
rocket motor are HOT and will ignite tissue. After inserting
the wadding, slide the rolled up parachute into the body,
then gather up the shroud lines and shock cord and push
these into the body tube and place the nose cone back
onto the model.
FIGURE D
3. Select a recommend model rocket motor (per kit
instructions) and install it into the bottom of your model
rocket as follows and as shown in Figure E:
a. Insert the motor into the motor tube with the nozzle
facing the rear or bottom of your rocket.
b. Push the motor into the tube until it stops and the
engine hook engages and holds the motor in place
FIGURE E
4. Install the igniter per the manufacturers instructions. Many
motors sold today include an “igniter plug”, used to hold
the igniter in place. It is highly recommended that you use
this plug per instructions as they result in the highest
reliability. If, however, you do not have such a plug, you
can refer to Figure F and G, and the steps below for a
very reliable alternate method:

?2004, FlisKits, Inc., All rights reserved Triskelion Instruction Sheet: FK-INS-SP010 Rev: B
a. First, make sure that your igniter is intact with no
wires touching each other.
b. Place igniter into the motor nozzle until it will go no
further (when it stops, the tip of the igniter is in contact
with the propellant)
c. Take a small square of recovery wadding, roll it into a
tight ball and, using a pencil or other pointed object,
push this into the nozzle, securing the igniter in place,
as shown in Figure F.
d. NOTE: Do NOT use tissue paper as this can cause
fires at the launch pad.
e. Figure G shows a cut-away view of the motor with the
igniter properly installed.
FIGURE F
FIGURE G
5. Place your model on the Launch Pad and attach the two
micro clips to the igniter wires (NOTE: Be sure that these
clips do not touch each other)
6. Clear the launch area and alert your recovery crew!
7. Check for low flying aircraft and any unauthorized persons
in the launch and recovery areas!
8. Arm the launch panel and verify continuity, then BEGIN
YOUR COUNTDOWN!
5 4 321LIFTOFF!
NOTE: Always follow the National Association of
Rocketry (NAR) Safety Code when launching
model rockets. A copy of the Safety Code can be
found on the included warranty card.