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

Modifications:
T' build was straightforward once I created t' centerin' rings. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! Blimey! I did so in MS Publisher after havin' measured t' inside diameter o' t' body tube. Well, blow me down! I printed t' rings and glued them t' cereal-box-weight cardboard. Begad! Blimey! Engine retention is friction fit. Ya scallywag! 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. Aye aye! Aye aye! Havin' lived in Brazil for a few years, arrr, I couldn't bear t' put t' Argentine flag on anything. Avast! I printed me own Brazil flag decal, painted t' fins Brazil's colors, ya bilge rat, and renamed it t' Vaqueiro (Portuguese for 'cowboy').

Construction:
I used:

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

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

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