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

This be me first attempt t' use RockSim, which I did as part o' t' EMRR Challenge. 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. Aye aye! Ahoy! All o' t' construction was done with Elmer's wood glue. Aye aye! To be honest, t' quality o' this build be nay quite up t' me usual standards. Begad! Well, blow me down! I tried t' get it done smartly t' get in under t' timeline. Aye aye! 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. Blimey! Blimey! Consequently I be pretty sure that either it would be an unstable disaster and therefore unwanted, shiver me timbers, or it would fly well and would disappear. Avast! Blimey! 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, 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. Avast! Blimey! T' flight be nice and straight. Unfortunately it went too high and t' weather was too breezy. Begad! Long story short, t' sustainer was lost. Begad! Well, blow me down! Blimey!

Summary:
This was an enjoyable build for me. Aye aye! Avast! 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, arrr, I was still pleased with t' outcome. Ahoy! 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, and weather conditions.