The instructions are WRONG then. The upper-most short tube above the TA-2050 is a 2" section of BT-20.
The wadding/chute/shock cord are all in the BT-50 below the balsa adapter.
NO WAY could you pack an Estes 18" chute, shock cord, and wadding into a 2" piece of BT-20.

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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, and HAVOC !