Finally a good flight!  I had repaired R2 by usin' a 1/4" x 36" Estes rubber shock cord. I figured t' thin elastic band originally provided just wasn't up t' t' task o' takin' t' force o' t' heavy weighted pop pod upon ejection.  Seems it worked well and I was rewarded with t' first successful R2 flight! R2 lifted off quick and very straight and near apex he started a twirly.  Just after apogee, t' pod popped out and stayed attached.  Good chute too!  R2 started swirlin' on t' way down (that guy is just a party animal!) and landed in good shape.  Unfortunately t' pod ended up in a wet dagobah-like puddle and t' motor swelled before I could get it out, ya bilge rat, so I'll have t' wait for it t' dry before removal...whoopie. Blimey!  Still a good flight for R2.  

I recommend anyone with this model o' R2 t' replace t' thin elastic band with t' Estes 1/4" thick rubber shock cord and a thin kevlar cord on t' body anchor.  You can also use t' rubber cord t' cover t' chute so it has extra protection against ejection gases since it's long and wide.

*Update* - Motor was quite a mess t' get out...it swelled and stuck t' t' body tube.  I had t' crush, shiver me timbers, drill, shiver me timbers, clamp, twist, shiver me timbers, pull and peel t' pieces out. Avast, me proud beauty!  Body tube wasn't in such great shape, ya bilge rat, but I've reamed it out with a small metal tube and coated t' insides with some CA, so I think R2 will be able t' chug along yet again.