Brief:
By settin' t' motor tube a few inches aft, it allowed a PML urethane tail cone and Slimline retainer t' be added.

Modifications:
T' motor tube had t' be moved aft o' its normal position, 11/16" forward of t' aft end o' t' body. Aye aye! T' exact distance needed be simply t' match the motor tube through t' tail cone and seat it in t' Slimline retainer. Blimey! Total distance be about 3". When these were fitted, t' FinLok guides were centered under t' slots and t' tube marked. Well, blow me down! T' motor section was removed and the thrust rin' inserted t' give 11" o' clearance betwixt it and the retainer (for Ellis HPR S/U motors, shiver me timbers, specifically H50, arrr, plus anythin' shorter with adapters cut from 29mm motor tube coupler stock). Begad! This required forcing the steel bafflin' material into t' last 2 inches o' t' motor tube rather than its expected 6". Avast, me proud beauty! Blow tests showed thar be still plenty o' flow. Still, shiver me timbers, matey, a Nomex® protector was added in case t' baffle wasn't as efficient as intended. Arrr! Once all fittin' was complete, me bucko, t' motor section be glued into place and then the fins.

Construction:
Stock AT Mirage plus:

• PML 2.6" t' 1.1" urethane tail cone
• 29mm Slimline motor retainer

Much o' this mod was guesswork on t' fly. Well, blow me down! I can't see much way around that. Just don't glue a section before you're sure all parts are goin' t' fit properly.

A pro for this mod is usin' epoxy. It's far more forgivin' if something goes south. Avast! Luckily, nothin' did.

Flight:
This hasn't been flight tested yet due t' lack o' proper motors, launch equipment, me hearties, and flyin' area. Betwixt t' mods and t' massive paint job (two cans o' cobalt metal flake blue and two cans o' clear) t' bird weighs in a 2 lbs 12 oz before motors. Avast! Even on a G80 I'm nay certain t' 5 foot AT rod is enough run-up space. Avast, me proud beauty! I've picked up an extender for t' rod. Ahoy! Hopefully, matey, the next CATO launch will see it fly.

Summary:
I've always thought that rockets with big empty butts were a waste. Blimey! Well, blow me down! Way too much drag for no reason other than lack o' appropriate design. Well, blow me down! T' PML tail cone completes this rocket and should do well t' decrease drag enough t' make up for its weight. Blimey! Begad! T' Slimline is a good choice among t' many for replacing the AT big fat engine hook. Avast! Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down! With this mod, it looks like it means business.

Although if were I t' do it again, me hearties, I'd ream out t' tail cone so the Slimline sat inside it, rather than ridin' behind it.