I had a similar experience building model rockets with those Estes brand engines. After many hours putting together the rocket, I launched it successfully but

I had a similar experience building model rockets with those Estes brand engines. After many hours putting together the rocket, I launched it successfully but the parachute got stuck in a tall tree and I couldn't retrieve it. My Dad an I had the bright idea of simply lashing a bare Estes engine to a balsa rod, and launching it like a classic Chinese rocket. The performance was amazing, so we promptly drove to the hobby store and bought the biggest engine they had in stock. The "D" size, if I remember correctly. That was a tad too much power -- our contraption bent and started going in spirals and nearly set someone's garden on fire. Fun times.