Brief:
T' Phoenix Dark is a two-stage BT-55 downscale o' t' Estes Phoenix. It is named such for two reasons: 1) it is an homage t' t' movie Mystery Men, shiver me timbers, 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 was 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. Avast, me proud beauty! 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. Well, blow me down! All o' t' construction was done with Elmer's wood glue. Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! To be honest, me hearties, t' quality o' this build be nay quite up t' me usual standards. Aye aye! I tried t' get it done smartly t' get in under t' timeline. Avast, me proud beauty! Also, one o' t' primary things I wanted t' see was whether or nay it was stable as simulated with the largest motor combination. Consequently I was pretty sure that either it would be an unstable disaster and therefore unwanted, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, or it would fly well and would disappear. Avast, me proud beauty! 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, matey, ya bilge rat, 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. Begad! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! T' flight be nice and straight. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Unfortunately it went too high and t' weather be too breezy. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! Long story short, me hearties, t' sustainer be lost. Well, me hearties, blow me down! Blimey!

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. Aye aye! Well, blow me down! While most o' t' rocket was lost, matey, shiver me timbers, I was still pleased with t' outcome. Well, blow me down! I will build another version o' this rocket and dress it up a little more. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! I'll also be sure t' do a better job o' matchin' up field size, motor options, and weather conditions.