Estes Mini A Heli #007272, Build, Part 5, Optimized and Lighter Parts

The launch lugs are short at 3/8" long.
They say if you cut the ends off at an angle that drag is reduced.

Use a new, sharp knife, this is one of the rare times I'll use an X-Acto #11 instead of my break-off blade knife.

Both the lugs got the front ends trimmed at a 45 degree angle.

I might reduce more drag by trimming the back end, but the lugs are very short.

The engine block was lightened by peeling a few layers from the inside.










The red coupler is probably longer than it needs to be.
1/4" was trimmed off.

Maybe all the little weight reductions could give a longer duration flight. Years back, Estes recommended  hollowing out the balsa nose cone on the Streak rocket. The instructions claimed it would add 20 feet to the altitude.

Maybe I should have hollowed out the balsa nose cone.