Brief:
T' Phoenix Dark is a two-stage BT-55 downscale o' t' Estes Phoenix. Begad! It is named such for two reasons: 1) it is an homage t' t' movie Mystery Men, me bucko, 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, shiver me timbers, which I did as part o' t' EMRR Challenge. Ahoy! 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! Arrr! 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. Arrr! All o' t' construction be done with Elmer's wood glue. To be honest, shiver me timbers, t' quality o' this build be nay quite up t' me usual standards. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! 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. Avast! Consequently I be pretty sure that either it would be an unstable disaster and therefore unwanted, me bucko, matey, or it would fly well and would disappear. Begad! 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, followin' with a few coats o' black spray paint. Well, me bucko, blow me down!

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

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