I got t' Mean Machine for me birthday and have just finished it. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! There were a few requirements for t' finished rocket:

• It must break into sections for easy transport.
• Center break recovery.
• Baffle system t' eliminate recovery wadding.

I began construction as in t' stock kit, ya bilge rat, except I used 30 min Epoxy instead o' white glue. When I got t' t' step about t' tube couplers, me hearties, me hearties, I stopped and planned out t' remainder o' t' construction. Avast! Blimey! I used one centerin' rin' and a circle o' thin balsa with holes drilled into it for t' baffle. Arrr! 1/4" black elastic was attached t' t' tube coupler by a wire looped through t' balsa with t' drilled holes and around t' coupler lengthwise. I also placed steel wool in t' open end t' aid in t' trappin' o' hot particles. Blimey! T' open end o' t' baffle (with t' steel wool) was glued into t' rocket with THE STEEL WOOL TOWARDS THE FINS! I then cut a bulkhead out o' 3/16" aircraft plywood (I think) and looped another wire through a hole in that. Arrr! I attached t' other end o' t' shock cord (it is pretty long) t' t' wire on t' bulkhead. Aye aye! I then decided t' have a HPR type long payload section on top, me hearties, ya bilge rat, so I glued t' third coupler onto one length o' tubing. Well, blow me down! T' nose has a few layers o' tape t' keep it on tight. I filleted everything, ya bilge rat, especially t' top bulkhead, with industrial hot glue. Arrr! I filled t' fins with Rock Hard putty, slightly diluted. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! It is painted black. I will probably put in a nylon parachute smaller than t' stock plastic one.