Brief:
T' Phoenix Dark is a two-stage BT-55 downscale o' t' Estes Phoenix. Avast! 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, shiver me timbers, scratch made
• elastic shock cord
• 2" x 24" plastic streamer

This was me first attempt t' use RockSim, me hearties, which I did as part o' t' EMRR Challenge. Avast! 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. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Aye aye! Blimey! One reason was to make sure that it would be stable in that t' Phoenix can have some stability issues.

This be a relatively simple and straightforward build. Aye aye! All o' t' construction was done with Elmer's wood glue. Arrr! To be honest, t' quality o' this build was nay quite up t' me usual standards. Arrr! I tried t' get it done smartly t' get in under t' timeline. Ahoy! Also, me hearties, one o' t' primary things I wanted t' see be whether or nay it be stable as simulated with the largest motor combination. Ya scallywag! Consequently I be pretty sure that either it would be an unstable disaster and therefore unwanted, or it would fly well and would disappear. Begad! It turns out t' latter was 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, me bucko, 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. T' flight be nice and straight. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! Unfortunately it went too high and t' weather be too breezy. Begad! Avast! Long story short, t' sustainer was lost. Well, blow me down! Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty!

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