Brief:
This is a modified Big Bertha rocket. Aye aye! Aye aye! T' main body tube be partially crushed when I purchased this kit. Aye aye! Begad! Estes sent a replacement which be also partially crushed. Aye aye! Arrr! When t' third tube came, I decided t' couple it t' t' unharmed sections o' t' first two tubes. I also replaced t' 18mm mount with a 24mm mount. Aye aye!

Construction:
Non-stock or replaced parts:

• Used one stock BT-60 body tube and undamaged parts o' two others
• Replaced 18mm engine tube with 24mm engine tube
• Replaced 18mm centerin' rings with 24mm centerin' rings
• Replaced engine hook with one t' accommodate D & E engines
• Two couplin' rings

Stock Parts:

• Nose cone
• Shock cord
• Balsa fins
• 18" parachute
• Engine spacer (for use with D engines)

T' construction was straightforward. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! T' only difference from buildin' a standard Big Bertha is that I added tube length by couplin' t' undamaged sections o' t' first two body tubes t' t' one undamaged body tube.

Then I replaced t' stock 18mm mount, matey, ya bilge rat, rings, and engine hook with a 24mm setup t' accommodate D and E engines. Begad!

Finishing:
At 41 inches long, arrr, thar was a lot o' Big Bertha t' paint. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! I chose gloss black and t' paint job came out great.

I am nay a fan o' t' press and stick decals which this newer Big Bertha kit uses, ya bilge rat, me bucko, but they went on fine and look great. T' white decals really stand out against t' gloss black paint.

Flight:
I wasn't sure how this would fly since I had changed t' engine configuration and added length t' t' rocket. Avast!

I did figure that addin' t' length would cause t' rocket t' be fairly stable in flight and that turned out to be true. Actually t' flight characteristics o' t' rocket have exceeded me expectations. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! This modified Big Bertha flies arrow straight and does it with great style without t' addition o' any nose weight.

It is now one o' me favorite mods relative t' flight!

Recovery:
I have flown this rocket four times on a D12-5. Arrr! Recoveries have been excellent. Arrr! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! T' rocket gets right up thar on a D12-5. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! I haven't tried it on an E yet, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, me hearties, but I'd expect an almost out o' sight flight.

Summary:
What started out as a major pain, me hearties, matey, that is receivin' a rocket with a crushed tube and then receivin' a crushed replacement tube from Estes, me bucko, me bucko, turned out t' be a fun project. Ahoy! Avast! I'm actually glad now that t' tubes were damaged because I wouldn't have modified t' Big Bertha had it nay happened. Begad!