Rocketry Planet

MERRIMACK, New Hampshire USA — In conjunction with the National Association of Rocketry's annual convention NARCON, to be held March 13-14, 2010 in Worcester, Massachusetts, Jim Flis, owner of FlisKits has announced plans for two commemorative kits patterned after rockets build by U.S. rocket pioneer Robert Goddard.

SLIDESHOW: FlisKits owner, Jim Flis, posing next to Nell in her launch pad. Photos: Tony Vincent. Other photos show Nell taking flight and Flis other commemorative model, Goddard's L13, sitting on the pad awaiting launch.

FlisKits owner, Jim Flis, posing next to Nell in her launch pad. Photos: Tony Vincent.

Goddard, an American scientist, invented and launched the first liquid-fueled rocket in 1926.  "Nell," as the rocket was dubbed, will be kitted and made available by FlisKits along with Goddard's L13 rocket.

A U.S. professor of physics and scientist, Goddard was a pioneer of liquid-fueled rocketry. He became the first person in the world to launch a liquid-fueled rocket on March 16, 1926, when he launched "Nell" using a rocket engine first developed in 1895 by Peruvian scientist Pedro Paulet. 

NARCON host, the Central Massachusetts Spacemodeling Society (CMASS), chose Clark University in Worcester as the venue for the event because of its historical significance to American rocketry. Clark was where Goddard conducted his development of his liquid fueled rocket motors.

As the primary vendor sponsor of NARCON 2010, FlisKits will donate 30 of each of these two kits to the first 60 NARCON registrants. For those who didn't register early enough to get a free kit, FlisKits is providing a $5 gift certificate in the NARCON attendee registration packets that can be used at the FlisKits booth at NARCON.

"I just finished the second proto type of Nell this weekend," Flis stated today on The Rocketry Forum, "taking pictures of the build so that I can create the figures for the instructions."

More details about these two kits and their availability to the rest of the hobby community will be available later this month.

Reader comments:

#1 Re: Article: FlisKits to make two commemorative NARCON Goddard kits

Again, another FlisKits' first. I've often wondered why we haven't had Goddard models available.
I've started work on another of his rockets. I'm not talking - I want to be the first one on my block.
Congrats to Jim.
Tim

atticus on 02-01-2010 03:54 PM

#2 Re: Article: FlisKits to make two commemorative NARCON Goddard kits

We're cranking away at these kits. This week I am working on the figures and instructions for Nell (Goddard's first rocket) and hope to have it in the can by the end of the weekend.

jflis on 02-03-2010 08:07 AM

#3 Re: Article: FlisKits to make two commemorative NARCON Goddard kits

Hey Jim,

Very cool indeed!

I cannot get to NARCON this year due to a zillion other things going on that weekend. However, I was thinking of sending a donation. Whatever the case.... That does not help with your offer if I'm not present. How can I get a couple of these very cool and historically oriented kits for my very own? I will, most likely, be doing a demo static display at an airshow in May to boost NAR membership. The 'Nell' kit would be sweet to have for that as well as my personal collection. Should I reserve with you? Let me know when convenient what the plan might be. Thanks, John

Johnny C on 02-04-2010 11:25 PM

#4 Re: Article: FlisKits to make two commemorative NARCON Goddard kits

Jim, Whoops! I should have read everything before commenting... I see you will have details by month's end. Looking forward to it. John

Johnny C on 02-05-2010 12:07 AM

#5 Re: Article: FlisKits to make two commemorative NARCON Goddard kits

Also important to note that these two kits are not *just* for NARCON. They will be part of our standard selection of fun and exciting kits To get one, or both, you need only order it once it is available on our web site (which should be just before or just after NARCON).

jflis on 02-05-2010 08:09 AM

#6 Re: Article: FlisKits to make two commemorative NARCON Goddard kits

What size motor mounts are these? I think that the L13 looks pretty cool! I might have to get one.

dragonsp on 02-05-2010 10:01 AM

#7 Re: Article: FlisKits to make two commemorative NARCON Goddard kits

Both kits will be 18mm and fly on B and C motors.

jflis on 02-06-2010 07:48 AM

#8 Re: Article: FlisKits to make two commemorative NARCON Goddard kits

Just finished the instructions for Nell (Goddard's first rocket) and have them out for review. This one was a bit of a bear! LOL I've attached a couple of the instruction figures as well as a photo of the completed assembly.

jflis on 02-10-2010 07:38 AM

#9 Re: Article: FlisKits to make two commemorative NARCON Goddard kits

Wow - this as awesome. If i ever stops snowing on the east coast so I can get back to my workshop, I'm buying one of these to build. Dr. Goddard, imho, is one of the greatest Americans of all time. Thanks for putting this together, Jim.

JordanT on 02-10-2010 07:08 PM

#10 Re: Article: FlisKits to make two commemorative NARCON Goddard kits

The documentation for Nell have been through review and I will be making the final edits this weekend.

Hope to have the L13 documents out for review by the end of the weekend and have those in the can about mid-week with plans to order documents and custom parts by early the following week.

Looks like we're right on schedule at this time

jflis on 02-13-2010 08:41 AM

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FlisKits owner, Jim Flis, posing next to Nell in her launch pad. Photos: Tony Vincent.

Nell taking flight. Photos: Tony Vincent.

A model of the Goddard L13 rocket, sitting on the pad awaiting launch. Photos: Tony Vincent.