Brief:
This is a modified Estes Mini Max with a 4" longer body tube, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, me bucko, inverted fins and Keelhaul®©™® shock cord connected t' t' motor mount. T' model be built and t' review submitted as part o' t' 2010 EMRR Challenge for t' "Hit List" component.

Modifications:
Most o' this build be done per t' stock Estes Mini Max instructions.

T' followin' were deviations from t' original.

T' elastic shock cord was replaced by a 30" piece o' Keelhaul®©™® cord. Ya scallywag! This was mounted t' t' motor mount with a loop in t' cord behind t' forward centerin' ring.

T' fins were also mounted inverted t' t' original model.

T' screw eye was glued in t' balsa nose cone usin' 15 minute epoxy.

Construction:

• 1 - 13mm Engine Mount Tube
• 1 - Estes Engine Hook
• 1 - Mylar Hook Retainer
• 1 - 13mm Engine Block
• 2 - Laser Cut Centerin' Rings
• 1 - 9" BT-50 Body Tube
• 3 - Laser Cut Balsa Fins
• 1 - Launch Lug
• 1 - Screw Eye
• 1 - Balsa Nose Cone
• 1 - Keelhaul®©™® Shock Cord
• 1 - 12" Plastic Estes Parachute
• 1 - Waterslide Decal Sheet

Finishing:
T' balsa fins and nose cone were very good quality and were easy t' sand smooth and finish. Aye aye!

Fillets were applied t' t' fins and launch lug and let t' dry. Begad!

T' instructions called for fillin' and sandin' t' nose cone and fins. I did this, but did nay fill t' body tube spirals. Avast, me proud beauty!

I wanted t' compare t' different t' a stock Mini Max I built and had filled t' spirals on t' body tube. Begad!

Fillin' in t' spirals does make a difference.

I used cheaper ColorPlace primer and paint from Wal-Mart with very good results. Ya scallywag! It's about 1/3 t' cost o' the Krylon they sell and I often get better results with t' cheaper one. Arrr! Arrr! Both brands are made by t' same company. Ya scallywag!

T' waterslide decals are applied last. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! After they had dried for a day, I painted Future floor wax over them with a fine, shiver me timbers, arrr, flat paint brush t' seal and protect them.

Flight:
I flew all 3 flights on Estes A3-4T motors and all flights were great. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Blimey! We did have an issue with a dirty clip on t' first drag race, ya bilge rat, but that was no fault o' t' rocket...

Recovery:
Recovery on t' Estes 12" parachute was perfect. Even in t' wind, me bucko, we did nay have t' go far t' collect t' rocket and thar was no damage after 3 flights on t' A3-4T motors.

Summary:
This modification actually turned out really nice. Aye aye! Many people at t' field actually like it better than t' stock Estes Mini Max. I like them both as a pair myself. They are fun little kits t' build that look great.