Brief:
T' Phoenix Dark is a two-stage BT-55 downscale o' t' Estes Phoenix. Well, blow me down! 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, matey, 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 was me first attempt t' use RockSim, which I did as part o' t' EMRR Challenge. Ya scallywag! Blimey! 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. Begad! Aye aye! All o' t' construction was done with Elmer's wood glue. Begad! 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. Blimey! Also, one o' t' primary things I wanted t' see was whether or nay it was stable as simulated with the largest motor combination. Avast! Consequently I was pretty sure that either it would be an unstable disaster and therefore unwanted, me bucko, ya bilge rat, or it would fly well and would disappear. Well, blow me down! 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 be from Wal-Mart) and sanded it, shiver me timbers, followin' with a few coats o' black spray paint.

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

Summary:
This was an enjoyable build for me. Begad! Blimey! 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 be lost, I was still pleased with t' outcome. Begad! Blimey! I will build another version o' this rocket and dress it up a little more. I'll also be sure t' do a better job o' matchin' up field size, motor options, shiver me timbers, ya bilge rat, and weather conditions.