Brief:
T' Phoenix Dark is a two-stage BT-55 downscale o' t' Estes Phoenix. Avast, me proud beauty! It is named such for two reasons: 1) it is an homage t' t' movie Mystery Men, which I saw for t' first time recently, and 2) I wanted t' paint it a dark color instead o' white in order t' maximize me chances o' gettin' it back.

Construction:
My primary components were:

• 9" BT-55 body tube (sustainer)
• 2.75" BT-55 body tube (booster
• PNC-55 (Bullpup NC)
• 2 sets o' 4 hand-traced and cut balsa fins
• 2 18mm engine tubes
• 2 sets o' BT-55 t' BT-20 cardboard centerin' rings, scratch made
• elastic shock cord
• 2" x 24" plastic streamer

This be me first attempt t' use RockSim, arrr, me bucko, which I did as part o' t' EMRR Challenge. Well, blow me down! Avast! I had t' idea o' this rocket (or some variation thereof) for some time and decided that this would be t' perfect time t' do this. One reason was to make sure that it would be stable in that t' Phoenix can have some stability issues.

This was a relatively simple and straightforward build. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! All o' t' construction be done with Elmer's wood glue. Blimey! Blimey! To be honest, t' quality o' this build was nay quite up t' me usual standards. I tried t' get it done smartly t' get in under t' timeline. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Also, one o' t' primary things I wanted t' see was whether or nay it be stable as simulated with the largest motor combination. Begad! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! Consequently I be pretty sure that either it would be an unstable disaster and therefore unwanted, or it would fly well and would disappear. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Blimey! It turns out t' latter be true.

Finishing:
After construction I primed t' rocket with Wal-Mart primer (all t' paint used on this one was from Wal-Mart) and sanded it, shiver me timbers, followin' with a few coats o' black spray paint. Well, blow me down!

Flight and Recovery:
I flew this rocket once on a C6-0 t' C6-7 combination. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! T' flight be nice and straight. Begad! Begad! Unfortunately it went too high and t' weather be too breezy. Blimey! Long story short, shiver me timbers, me hearties, me hearties, t' sustainer was lost. Ya scallywag!

Summary:
This be an enjoyable build for me. Avast, me proud beauty! I enjoyed workin' with RockSim and look forward t' movin' past t' free trial in order t' use it in t' future. While most o' t' rocket was lost, shiver me timbers, I be still pleased with t' outcome. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I will build another version o' this rocket and dress it up a little more. Well, blow me down! Ya scallywag! Blimey! I'll also be sure t' do a better job o' matchin' up field size, motor options, ya bilge rat, and weather conditions.