PHOENIX

Double finned rocket, concept from dark star. Scratch build. ?3 layers of fiberglass wrapped around a card-stock tube. Soaked with epoxy. Had CATO with this rocket and was completely burned inside.

Rebuild the rocket and it seems to be stronger then before, The heat must have made the epoxy really stronger inside. Tip to tip fiber-glassed. Motor mount is over build with epoxy ! Flies great on a high power motor. Some rotation but acceptable. First flown on single deploy, after that I made an upper main parachute bay for dual deployment. 48" parachute fits in there very very tight !! The parachute is the original one from the cato and restitched, works great ! Had some minor zipper, top of booster blew out a bit like 2", cut it down and put CA glue and sanded it out to fit the AV bay, works great again. Also removed the switch-band on all rockets and dual recessed switches ...

Update 05/09/2016 - Realized that the phoenix does not have a window or iPhone�setup, Drilled a 7/8 hole sanded the hole and ready for repainting that upper section. After paint is dry I will wax it again. And also put a clear plastic in the Av Bay window section.

Also cut the top of the booster section ore level, so it fits better with the payload bay, and also drilled new sheer pin holes.

Redid the sled with the stratologgers on a G12 fiberglass sled. Seems all fits nice with iPhone space.

Update 08/16/2016 - Today I finally glued the window 'glass' in the view-port of the av bay,

Update 12/04/2017 - Fuck, crazy as hell today, prepped almost the entire rocket, parachutes and z ties, THEN I decided to modify the rocket !! Damn why now !! Crap! I had to do this, the main chute space was to right yes and I had previous issues with main deployment also so that why ! Capiche ??! So I cut like 5" from the booster tube Yes I did cut the booster !! So that part will be glues on the upper bay were the main chute is... so that will gave me plenty of room more AND the wobble at launch might be gone... always wanted to do that, the booster was way to long in my opinion also, so now I got it right for ever !, Had to salvage some epoxy, screw cap was solid glued on so I made a hole to pour epoxy out of the can and taped it airtight off for the next fixing project ! So I did made a sleeve from a previous left over part and that fit great, got all wedge in those metal angle pieces waiting to dry for tomorrow. Will have to sand a lot to make those two pieces smooth together also. Hopefully will be ready and painted by Saturday for launch... Still have to sand out the bottom tube to fit the Av Bay to slide in and out properly also, lots of epoxy left over from before to fight with. Will also have to re drill the sheer-pinholes for nose cone and av bay.

Update 12/05/2017 - Working on the rocket today, sanding the two parts so the transition is smoother, there was a bit of a difference but it seems sanded out, also bondo for the groove filler. All sanded and applied epoxy inside the upper bay were the nose cone fits to make a snugger fit, applied balloons for smoother sanding later when dry. Applied a coat of epoxy & balloons on the entire upper bay for smooth sanding and primer next day. The lower part booster needed to be sanded out to fit the Av bay smooth slide in and out when ejected. Balloons applied all over. Waiting for this all to dry for the next step, ore sanding for fitting�and primer, Painting will be done after the flight. Have to weigh the rocket and make new sims.

Update 12/06/2017 - Sanded the two epoxied parts with 120 grit and 220 grit and also the nose cone. And inside the booster and the upper frame for the av. bay and nose cone snugness. Al part primed and dried for a few hours, then sanded again with220 grit. Looks ok to paint. Still some blue left over the finish the upper frame. Nose cone will be done tomorrow, need to buy the white paint. Then drilling the shear-pin holes upper and av bay ones and a vent hole in lower booster. Maybe waxing on Friday.

Update 12/07/2017 - Repainted the upper section again, Bought a new fresh can of Ford Blue, applied sanding and primer first, it had a few smudges so I wanted to have it more perfect. Rainy-day so painting with fan on and garage door open in the garage door opening and not getting wet. All good. Also trying to do the nose cone, sanding and new coat of priming, BUT the new can of white paint did not work well, Will return that tomorrow and get another one to finish the job.

Update 01/09/2018 - All good and well, Painting done. Shear pinholes all drilled. Also glued in the switches in�the Av Bay, for some reason they came loose.. All fixed and ready for the next fifth launch. Parachutes: Main 48" - Drogue 24"Charges: Drogue 1.8 grams/2.0 grams - Main 1.6 grams/1.8 grams FFFFg.

Update 10/28/2023 -Touching up this rocket before the next flight.

Update 10/29/2023 - Patched�the uneven area's a bit, some sanding, priming and sanding again. Painting, and it came out pretty good. Ready to fly again.