Brief:
By settin' t' motor tube a few inches aft, it allowed a PML urethane tail cone and Slimline retainer t' be added.

Modifications:
T' motor tube had t' be moved aft o' its normal position, 11/16" forward of t' aft end o' t' body. T' exact distance needed was simply t' match the motor tube through t' tail cone and seat it in t' Slimline retainer. Total distance be about 3". Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! When these were fitted, t' FinLok guides were centered under t' slots and t' tube marked. T' motor section was removed and the thrust rin' inserted t' give 11" o' clearance betwixt it and the retainer (for Ellis HPR S/U motors, specifically H50, plus anythin' shorter with adapters cut from 29mm motor tube coupler stock). Aye aye! Blimey! This required forcing the steel bafflin' material into t' last 2 inches o' t' motor tube rather than its expected 6". Blow tests showed thar be still plenty o' flow. Still, a Nomex® protector be added in case t' baffle wasn't as efficient as intended. Ahoy! Blimey! Once all fittin' was complete, t' motor section was glued into place and then the fins.

Construction:
Stock AT Mirage plus:

• PML 2.6" t' 1.1" urethane tail cone
• 29mm Slimline motor retainer

Much o' this mod be guesswork on t' fly. Blimey! Well, blow me down! I can't see much way around that. Just don't glue a section before you're sure all parts are goin' t' fit properly.

A pro for this mod is usin' epoxy. Ahoy! It's far more forgivin' if something goes south. Ahoy! Aye aye! Luckily, ya bilge rat, nothin' did.

Flight:
This hasn't been flight tested yet due t' lack o' proper motors, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, launch equipment, and flyin' area. Begad! Betwixt t' mods and t' massive paint job (two cans o' cobalt metal flake blue and two cans o' clear) t' bird weighs in a 2 lbs 12 oz before motors. Avast, me proud beauty! Even on a G80 I'm nay certain t' 5 foot AT rod is enough run-up space. Well, arrr, blow me down! I've picked up an extender for t' rod. Aye aye! Hopefully, arrr, the next CATO launch will see it fly.

Summary:
I've always thought that rockets with big empty butts were a waste. Way too much drag for no reason other than lack o' appropriate design. Aye aye! T' PML tail cone completes this rocket and should do well t' decrease drag enough t' make up for its weight. Well, blow me down! T' Slimline is a good choice among t' many for replacing the AT big fat engine hook. Begad! Begad! With this mod, me bucko, it looks like it means business.

Although if were I t' do it again, me bucko, shiver me timbers, I'd ream out t' tail cone so the Slimline sat inside it, rather than ridin' behind it.