Brief:
This modification was me own personal response t' what I had seen as an all-too-common statement on model rocket forums: add nose weight. Avast! It seemed t' me that no matter t' situation, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, t' clarion call was for more and more nose weight. Ahoy! "Hey, I painted this rocket blue instead o' yellow." "You better add some nose weight." While nay usually a kit builder, me hearties, me hearties, I found this kit on clearance and decided t' prove me point (to myself, me bucko, o' course).

Modifications:
T' build be straightforward once I created t' centerin' rings. Aye aye! Blimey! I did so in MS Publisher after havin' measured t' inside diameter o' t' body tube. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! I printed t' rings and glued them t' cereal-box-weight cardboard. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Engine retention is friction fit. Aye aye! T' other significant modification was usin' a streamer instead o' t' parachute--I knew it was goin' high and I didn't want it floatin' away.

I opted t' change t' finish slightly as well. Avast! Havin' lived in Brazil for a few years, I couldn't bear t' put t' Argentine flag on anything. Avast, me proud beauty! I printed me own Brazil flag decal, painted t' fins Brazil's colors, me bucko, and renamed it t' Vaqueiro (Portuguese for 'cowboy').

Construction:
I used:

• 1 Estes Gauchito kit
• 1 BT-20, matey, 2.75"
• 1 BT-20 engine block
• 1 set o' centerin' rings
• 2 streamers

Flight and Recovery:
This rocket has flown twice, arrr, both times on a C6-5. Ya scallywag! Blimey! As I predicted, ya bilge rat, each flight was excellent; very straight and very high. Blimey! Blimey! Recovery has been just a tad rough--it came down very smartly under t' streamer and popped a fin each time. Ya scallywag! Blimey! It be easily repaired, shiver me timbers, however.

Summary:
This be a fun little rocket t' build and fly. Arrr! It really moves fast off t' pad and flies really high, ya bilge rat, if you like that in your rockets. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! While I understand that some designs do necessitate nose weight, this example shows that it's nay always needed. Ahoy! I really don't think this mod has any cons. Ahoy! For some, however, makin' your own centerin' rings or adaptin' t' ones that came with t' kit may nay be somethin' they want t' do. Avast! Also, me bucko, some may nay enjoy t' potential walk that comes with recoverin' a rocket that flies as high as this one. Blimey! Aye aye! I for one, like t' altitude and can use t' exercise. Avast, me proud beauty! And if I stumble on another one o' these kits I am goin' t' modify it for 24mm engines.