Converting the complementry BT-5 Mosquito for MMX REAR eject pod flying

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Micromeister

Micro Craftman/ClusterNut
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Last Years Estes Inventory Reduction Sale I like many of the guys in my club got at least one Mega Mosquito Kits.
Much to my surprise and delight; as the main Micro Builder in the club I have been the recipent of many of the Kits complementary Standard BT-5 orignal Mosquitos:)

In the past I've shown photos of my completed conversion of these standard size models set-up to fly on a single MMX-II motor. However have never taking the time to do a built thead photo layout until now.
Always used just about all the stock part from the Kit with the exception of the standard 1/8" Launch Lug which was replaced with a Fliskit .010" x 1.0" Launch Lug. Rather then center between fins I alway installed launch lugs (on all Models) in a body/fin joint, to reduce the drag a little.

This one like most of my others will be a standard rear ejection micro motor pod with 30" of 100lb Kevlar Shockline and 1/2" x 18" Yellow teflon PTFE (Teflon) streamer.
Making the ejection pod use a 1" piece of T2+ motor tube, a T2 x 3/16" piece of tube as a motor stop, 2- T2+/T5 centering rings, 1- T2+/T4 stop ring and a 3/16" piece of Scrap BT-5 as the bottom stop.

Instead of the Standard Sunflower Yellow with one black fin. This one will be done with Krylon X-Metal (Anodized) Yellow over X-Metal reflective Silver Conversion base coat. As always the body seams, nosecone seam and fin grain were filled with 2 coats of Walmart Cheapy sandable grey auto primer.

Needing more than the one "Mosquito" decal supplied with the kit, I scanned and printed a bunch just for fun. The leftovers will likely end up as a Swarm on the Mega Mosquito when built sometime down the road.

I know this is likely the least exciting Micro conversion possilble but for all you guys out there sitting on one or more of these BT-5 Mosquito FREE Kits, or wanting to scratch build one just for fun, Hopefully these Photos will make the conversion fun and easy.
Below we'll start with the Ejection Pod parts and beginning Photos of the base kit body assembly.

MM 294d-uc01a_Rear Eject Mosquito_Motor Pod parts_03-27-15.jpg

MM 294d-uc01b_Rear Eject Mosquito_Model Parts_03-27-15.jpg

MM 294d-uc02a_Sanded Fin #1 attached with overhang_03-29-15.JPG

MM 294d-uc02c_Fin #2 on Side CloseUp_03-29-15.JPG

MM 294d-uc02d_Fin #3 & MMLLug_03-29-15.JPG

MM 294d-uc03_BT-5 body assembled_03-29-15.jpg

MM 294d-uc04a_Pod&Sockline w knot CA to NC_03-30-15.jpg

MM 294d-uc04b_Shockline Epoxy embedded in NC_03-30-15.jpg
 
Next come epoxing the Nosecone into the body without messing up the shock-line too much:)

After the epoxy cures tie a buttlerfly knot about 1/3 of the way from the NC & Pod. To this knot our 1/2" x 18" PTFE Wadding/Streamer is tied.

Install the shockline, then the yellow streamer/wadding and finally the pod inserted. The Pod should slide in smoothly and stay seated inside the fin overhang/ BT-5 outer pod ring.

Apply 3 coats of your favorite sandable grey primer. Sand and fillet as needed to fill all seams and grain.

once you have the finish desired apply base X-Metal conversion coating then within 30minutes apply X-Metal Yellow Anodized overcoat. Then allow to dry overnight. Apply decals then a coat of Pledge with Future.

MM 294d-uc05a_Retract Shockline to minium_03-30-15.JPG

MM 294d-uc06a_After Cure add .5 x 18in Teflon Streamer_03-30-15.jpg

MM 294d-uc06b_Shockline,Streamer & Pod installed_03-30-15.jpg

MM 294d-uc07a_Mosquito 1st 3coats Primer_03-31-15.jpg

MM 294d-uc07b_Mosquito After Sanding 1st Primer_04-01-15.jpg

MM 294d-uc08a_MMX Converted Mosquito Paint & Decal_04-14-15.jpg

MM 294d-uc08b_MMX Converted Mosquito Paint & Decal_04-14-15.jpg

MM 294d-uc09_MM Mosquito Rear EjectPod Complete_04-14-15.jpg
 
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