I can understand that sort of strategy for $8.49 beginner kits at Wal Mart, but NOT for kits built by REAL model builders that have been doing it for years.
When a kit has a retail of around $50.00, I do NOT expect it to have ANY inferior materials.
They wisely decided to include a Nylon Chute which must have cost MUCH more than a plastic chute. Supplying the kit with a PROPER length of shock cord should be considered a quality MINIMUM, as I think should be the basswood fins.
Small things like this will continue to cause me to be ticked off at Estes.
They have really went downhill since the early 90's, and while I see that they are trying to make a comeback, little things like this are BIG glitches in this as I see it.

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When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC !