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. Begad! It seemed t' me that no matter t' situation, t' clarion call was for more and more nose weight. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! "Hey, I painted this rocket blue instead o' yellow." "You better add some nose weight." While nay usually a kit builder, ya bilge rat, I found this kit on clearance and decided t' prove me point (to myself, me hearties, o' course).

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

Construction:
I used:

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

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

Summary:
This was a fun little rocket t' build and fly. Well, blow me down! It really moves fast off t' pad and flies really high, arrr, if you like that in your rockets. Aye aye! Ya scallywag! While I understand that some designs do necessitate nose weight, me hearties, this example shows that it's nay always needed. Avast! I really don't think this mod has any cons. Aye aye! For some, however, me hearties, shiver me timbers, arrr, 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. Begad! 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.