Brief:
T' THOY Phoenix is a near half scale version o' t' original Phoenix/AIM-54 used by t' U.S Navy as a long range air t' air missile. Ya scallywag! Begad! This 4” diameter High Power rocket stands 46” tall and is currently produced by Rocket R & D, arrr, matey, matey, who bought t' rights t' all THOY kits.

Construction:
My kit be ordered directly from Rocket R & D, as all t' dealers I called were out o' stock. Begad! They cut me a new kit that day and I had it within 3 days o' t' order, which is excellent service in me book. Aye aye! It came bagged with a 4” plastic ogive nose cone, matey, 4” diameter heavy paper body tube pre-marked with fin slot and launch lug locations, a phenolic 38mm motor mount, me hearties, ply centerin' rings, pre-cut 1/8” plywood fins, arrr, 29mm motor adapter, arrr, shock cord and cable, me hearties, shiver me timbers, ½” launch lugs, a 30” bright orange circular parachute, me bucko, a VERY impressive detailed decal sheet and a two page instruction manual. Well, me hearties, blow me down! All parts are o' very good quality, me hearties, matey, although I was a bit surprised that t' shock cord was 1” elastic, which appears t' be older technology.

T' only problem I had with t' kit be with t' long upper stabilizer fins, me bucko, matey, as they had warped a bit by t' time I received them. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! I eliminated this problem by soakin' t' inside curved side with water and a sponge, matey, then supported t' ends and weighed down t' center so t' fins were bowed t' other direction. Ya scallywag! An hour or so later, t' water was dried and t' fins were straight again.

Fifteen-minute epoxy be used throughout t' construction, which begins with t' assembly o' t' motor mount. Ya scallywag! Thoy uses a steel cable with crimp ends, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, which is looped through two holes in t' top centerin' rin' and crimped, prior t' assemblin' t' motor mount. Ya scallywag! As extra insurance, ya bilge rat, I soldered t' wires at t' crimp joints for additional strength. Blimey! T' shock cord was then tied and tack glued t' t' other looped end. Well, blow me down! I will see how t' shock cord holds up after a few launches, arrr, matey, then I may replace it with tubular nylon.

Next, arrr, t' instructions have you epoxy t' centerin' rings t' t' motor tube, me hearties, arrr, then glue t' assembly inside t' body tube. Arrr! I would recommend that you epoxy only t' top centerin' ring; use t' bottom centerin' rin' only for alignment until t' top ring's epoxy has set inside t' body tube. Ahoy! This will allow you t' remove t' lower centerin' rin' so you can get some good glue fillets at t' fin base where they attach t' t' motor tube. Blimey! I followed t' instructions t' t' letter and wound up usin' Aeropoxy for fillets, which had t' be applied through t' fin slots. Avast, me proud beauty! This be a bit difficult t' do, shiver me timbers, however, if you make t' bottom centerin' rin' removable, me hearties, you can easily add fillets and glue t' lower centerin' rin' flush t' t' bottom o' t' body tube after t' fins are completed.

Included in t' kit was a 29mm adapter, which be simple t' construct and was next in t' build process.

After this be completed, t' fin slots were cut out usin' an exacto knife. Aye aye! Begad! You will have t' measure t' length o' t' slot yourself, as t' markers are only vertical. Arrr! I used an upper fin as a template for slot length. Avast! Just be sure t' measure from t' bottom o' t' tube t' t' bottom o' each slot and keep this distance equal for each upper fin set.

Next, you taper t' edges o' each fin; a table sander cut this work down considerably and they turned out pretty nice. Well, blow me down! Just make sure nay t' take o' too much wood on t' taper. Once this was complete, matey, t' lower fins were glued t' t' motor mount and body tube. Arrr! Note that t' “through t' wall” fins appear t' attach fine, even though t' TTW mountin' does nay extend t' full length o' t' fins. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! Some fittin' is required prior t' gluin' t' fins, so make sure you “FIT” each fin before gluing. Arrr! I numbered each fin and slot t' make sure they would be installed in t' slot t' which they were fitted. Also, matey, I had t' sand some length off t' inside tabs as they were a bit too long on t' two tabs for t' surface area t' sit flush with t' body tube. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! Maskin' tape was used t' hold each fin in place until t' epoxy cured. Well, blow me down! Once t' lower fins are epoxied, glue on t' upper fins, insurin' they align properly with their lower counterpart. Begad! Avast! If you opted t' keep t' lower centerin' rin' removable, now be t' time t' add fillets at t' motor mount joints, me hearties, then glue t' lower centerin' rin' flush t' t' bottom o' t' body tube.

I decided t' glass t' fins and body tube for additional strength, rather than seal them with sandin' sealer as t' instructions recommended. Arrr! Aye aye! Finishin' resin was used t' fiberglass t' fin area since it has a long cure time and really soaks into t' wood. T' upper portion o' t' body tube was glassed separately usin' 30 minute epoxy, ya bilge rat, which left a nice, easy t' sand finish and added some weight up front where I wanted it. Before glassin' t' upper tube section, t' cloth be “tacked” on lengthwise usin' Cya so it could be pulled tight around t' tube without shifting. Once all glassin' be completed, shiver me timbers, arrr, t' excess cloth on t' fin edges was removed, shiver me timbers, and then edges were sanded and shaped. Avast, me proud beauty! Finally, ya bilge rat, t' entire rocket be sanded usin' 120 grit paper t' start and I finished with 320 grit sandpaper. Arrr! Begad! It turned out very well and glassin' did nay seem t' add much weight t' t' model, me hearties, even though I know t' weight will show up when finished.

Fillets were added next; smaller fillets were applied t' t' long stab fins by hand, while t' lower fin fillets were made usin' maskin' tape as a “dam” t' hold t' epoxy. Thirty-minute epoxy be used for t' lower fillets; heatin' it in t' microwave prior t' mixin' made it nice and thin along with “bubble free”. Well, blow me down! It also cut t' set time down t' about 8 minutes.

Once all fillets were added, t' launch lugs were attached. Aye aye! Blimey! You get a single piece ½” heavy paper tube lug, me bucko, me hearties, shiver me timbers, which is cut at an angle into two pieces. Avast! Ya scallywag! I used a 30” piece o' ½” steel rod t' hold t' lugs in place until t' glue set. Aye aye! Avast! One nice feature was t' fact that t' body tube was pre-marked for lug placement, which takes t' guesswork out o' where they need t' be mounted. Avast, me proud beauty! Filets were add t' t' lugs usin' t' same method as described for t' lower fins, arrr, however, I made sure t' entire lug, includin' t' top, was coated with epoxy for strength. Blimey! Once t' lug fillets were shaped, arrr, me hearties, ya bilge rat, I glazed t' bottom centerin' rin' with epoxy for a smooth waterproof finish.

T' nose cone came with a good-sized clump o' clay for added nose weight, which be epoxied into t' nose cone tip. Arrr! After t' first flight, arrr, I will see if any additional weight may be needed and epoxy some lead shot in t' nose cone if necessary.

Finishing:
Final sandin' was done in t' fillet area usin' 100 grit paper, shiver me timbers, me bucko, me hearties, then finished with 150 grit sandpaper. White Krylon primer was applied next and I used 150 grit t' cut away any excess epoxy resin left from t' fiberglassin' and t' blend in t' cloth seams. Use an electric sander in t' glassed area, shiver me timbers, which will cut through t' epoxy nicely and blend glass seams well. Well, blow me down! Blimey! A few more coats o' primer were added, matey, then I wet sanded with 320 grit. Two more coats o' primer were added and I finished it up by wetsandin' with 400 grit. Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! Blimey! Any small fillin' be done next, then two final coats o' primer were added and wetsanded with 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Light Gray Glossy Krylon paint was used on t' body tubes and fins, me hearties, matey, which left a nice and smooth surface t' apply decals. Aye aye! Blimey! T' nose cone was done in Krylon Flat White. Aye aye! Blimey! I used Testors Gloss Red and Yellow for t' 1” stripes and used a piece o' Monokote self stick Chrome for t' silver section. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Once all decals were applied, TopFlite Clear Dullcoat was applied for t' flat military look. Begad! Blimey! When applyin' t' Dullcoat, me hearties, you must use light “dusting” layers; t' Testors stripes you painted will orange peel if you put it on too thick. Blimey! Blimey! Note that t' stripes and decals were nay added until after t' rocket’s first flight. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Finally, matey, t' nosecone and parachute were attached per t' instructions. Don't forget t' tack glue your knots with a drop o' epoxy. Well, blow me down! Blimey! I did purchase and install a 1” steel link so t' parachute could easily be removed later for storage. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Next, shiver me timbers, three holes were drilled in t' bottom o' t' tube for a PML motor retainer and t' retainin' slugs were installed. As a last step, me bucko, ya bilge rat, I drilled two 1/8” holes in t' side o' t' upper body tube, just a few inches below t' nosecone seat t' prevent pressure ejection.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
My rocket weighed in heavy; 3lbs 11oz when comparin' t' t' WRasp charts o' 2.2 lbs. Begad! Blimey! I can account for t' extra weight though, since I always try t' build strong and wound up addin' some weight with glassin' and big fillets.

This is a basic, motor ejection deploy model, which makes preppin' it pretty straightforward. Begad! Ahoy! One other item that be added was a large Nomex® parachute protector, so I wouldn't have t' deal with wadding. Avast! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! T' rocket was prepared and I did have t' add some maskin' tape t' t' base o' t' nose cone for a good fit.

My first launch was on a H242T with a medium delay. Aye aye! Blimey! I opted for this load because a H123 would nay have been enough for a model o' this weight and it was a bit windy outside, matey, which told me t' use somethin' t' get it off t' pad quickly. T' Phoenix be placed on t' pad and we awaited t' countdown. T' H242 Blue Thunder ignited immediately and lifted t' Phoenix with authority! It was a very stable launch and no windcockin' occurred, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, even with those large fins. What was really cool be t' “whistling” sound it made while slowin' down as it reached apogee; kind o' sounded like an incomin' missile; Really cool!!!

Recovery:
T' parachute deployed about a second after apogee, me bucko, so t' medium delay was a bit too much, but a short delay would be way too short; some tunin' will be required t' get it just right. T' Phoenix landed safely, but downwind a bit, me bucko, so I had t' walk a good distance for retrieval. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! T' rocket was in perfect condition and I be very pleased with t' first flight o' this bird. Ya scallywag! T' Nomex® protector worked great and t' parachute was in like new condition with no scorch marks. Arrr! Well, blow me down! There was some powder buildup on t' lower section o' t' shock cord where it attaches t' t' steel cable, but it still looks good. I do like t' current location o' CG, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, which is right at t' leadin' edge o' t' long fins. Ahoy! I want t' keep t' same stability, but use a large motor for t' next launch, such as a I 161, so I’ll check t' weight difference in motors and add some lead shot t' t' nose cone for compensation o' motor weight. Arrr! Blimey! Altitude appeared t' be around 1200-1400 feet for t' flight, however, arrr, high winds kept me from launchin' again that day.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Summary: T' THOY Phoenix is a “test proven” model that has been around a long time and still remains a great flier! Blimey! I am very pleased with this model and recommend it t' everyone; its looks and performance seem t' appeal t' a large group o' fliers, me hearties, which is why it has stood t' test o' time. Ahoy! Construction was very simple and t' problem I had with t' warped stab fins was t' be expected; t' warpin' be minor so I do nay consider this an issue. Ahoy! Avast! Blimey! I am, however, still very leery o' t' elastic shock cord and feel it's a matter o' time before it gives, arrr, so I will probably replace t' cord with tubular nylon o' appropriate length. Blimey! Avast! Blimey! Also, t' very detailed decals really brin' out t' looks o' this bird. In summary, me bucko, matey, if it's military you like and performance you want, t' Phoenix is a must have model for your silo!!!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5