Brief:
I made t' Echostar into a fun sport rocket by doin' t' following:

• Removed t' lower stage
• Removed t' body tube adaptor
• Made it a little longer
• Removed t' fins on t' upper part o' t' sustainer

Modifications:
I scrapped those fins that are on t' very top, me bucko, ya bilge rat, me bucko, took out t' adaptor and second stage, me bucko, added an extra length o' tube, and found a new way t' attach t' shock cord: I looped one end t' shock cord through one o' t' upper fin slots (about 1/4 inches long), me hearties, and tied t' other end t' t' nosecone. Well, blow me down! I then wrapped a few long pieces o' tape around t' holes t' make this a very effective, easy t' replace mount. Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty! I have flown it about a dozen times like this and it has yet t' fail on me. Blimey! Begad! I did everythin' else normally. Aye aye! Begad! T' engine hook came out on flight number eight, ya bilge rat, so I use t' friction fit method now.

Construction:
Through t' wall fins, shiver me timbers, two tubes, arrr, a nose cone, ya bilge rat, a bit o' shock cord, me bucko, and a homemade chute.

All t' parts were in t' original kit. No real alignment issues. I modified t' rocket so much that I did nay use t' instructions included with t' kit.

Flight:
I used a 15 inch homemade nylon chute and it be perfect. I made t' tube coupler tough enough nay t' come apart at ejection, me hearties, ya bilge rat, but easy enough t' come apart with a bit o' a pull so that I can easily put recovery waddin' in after t' parachute. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! I did nay originally plan on this, but I figured it out before flight number six durin' CMASS Space Day in 2003.

Summary:
Easy build and finish. Avast, me proud beauty! A fun rocket with no real cons.