Should I, or Shouldn't I?

[Kruegon]

A recent project has me building rockets for a professional client. One of the rockets is a MDRM. Since it's basically the same design, this has got me looking at my Mega Mosquito for myself again. I've been holding off on it because of the sandwiched find. I think it's time I finally break down and build it.

I was looking at just how heavy and draggy this thing is. The fins are pretty strong with their sandwiched design. The TTW tabs are the only weak point I see. And I feel confident that a proper set of internal fillets could resolve that issue.

But, the motor selection is so small for the 24mm MMT that is provided. I was considering upgrading it to a 29mm. This will give me a selection of motors far greater that originally. And with a 24/29 adapter, I could almost double the options.

Should I upgrade this one, or leave well enough alone and just be happy with what's available in the 24mm range? Keep in mind that I have no interest in cutting any new fins or ribs. Not bass nor plywood. I would simply strengthen the existing fins.

 

[dhbarr]

29mm w/ no block. Do it! :-D

 

[dixontj93060]

I just blew the fins off a 5.5" dia. Mosquito with only a K and 600 fps. Simulate your flutter as this design is really flaky.

 

[Kruegon]

29mm w/ no block. Do it! :-D

Oh no. I know me. If there's no block, I'd be just stupid enough to put an H in it. If I block it, I can limit it to a G64 at max. Definitely gotta have a block.

 

[dhbarr]

Oh no. I know me. If there's no block, I'd be just stupid enough to put an H in it. If I block it, I can limit it to a G64 at max. Definitely gotta have a block.

No way, you totally wouldn't jam an i243 in there. I have faith in you!

 

[Kruegon]

I just blew the fins off a 5.5" dia. Mosquito with only a K and 600 fps. Simulate your flutter as this design is really flaky.

I've never had to worry about flutter before. My flights are usually pretty conservative. How would you sim for such an event?

 

[Rex R]

personally I would leave it with the stock mount, mainly due to lack of space for the chute. the madcow 'mozzie' on the other hand was designed for 29mm motors and so would be my choice for bigger motors. I note that AT says they are working on 3 new reloads for the 24/60 case(which would work nicely in an Estes 'E' mount) that should bring the 24mm options up to match the 29mm offerings.
Rex

 

[Andy Greene]

personally I would leave it with the stock mount, mainly due to lack of space for the chute. the madcow 'mozzie' on the other hand was designed for 29mm motors and so would be my choice for bigger motors. I note that AT says they are working on 3 new reloads for the 24/60 case(which would work nicely in an Estes 'E' mount) that should bring the 24mm options up to match the 29mm offerings.
Rex

Agreed , I have them both and a CTI Pro29 3 grain case doesnt leave much chute room in the Mozzie :wink:

 

[Kruegon]

I'm calculating the options. Tube length is only 1.5" longer. There's a lot to consider. I'm not so much interested in speed as I am in altitude. Slow, long burn motors are my favorite. I may or may not go with the 29mm mount, but I won't me slamming high average thrust motors in this one either way. I'm so much more into getting high than loving fast. lol

 

[grapetang]

There're the RMS 24/40s & 24/60s as Rex R suggested (with minimum mods), but it is nice to have options. If you'll actually use 29mm, make it 29mm. It'll take work but you'll have plenty of room for recovery if you go 29mm rear-eject. Bonus that you may be able to simulate real mosquito performance with an I in it!

There's also (CHAD) staging for altitude...

 

[Kruegon]

There's also (CHAD) staging for altitude...

I've been curious about this. If I understand correctly, this is air starting engines in sequence with a cluster right? Two seems easy, but can you do 3 or more? How would the timers work on it? Where can I research that?

 

[rharshberger]

I've been curious about this. If I understand correctly, this is air starting engines in sequence with a cluster right? Two seems easy, but can you do 3 or more? How would the timers work on it? Where can I research that?

CHAD staging means CHeap And Dirty staging, it is usually done by simply taping a booster motor to a normal single stage rocket motor. I have only seen it done with BP motors.

 

[dhbarr]

I've read about up to 5x CHAD, C11's or D12's IIRC.

 

[samb]

Done while the hard-assed LCO/RSOs are on a "nature" break. :wink: :grin:





And to answer your question, you shouldn't. Just get the Mozzie for 29mm.

 

[MikeyDSlagle]

Build it 38mm and put you an I49 in it .
I'm building my mosquito stock, but now I got a 38mm Mozzie in my head. I'll have to see if that case will fit.
As usual, I've offered no help at all. Lol

Mikey D

 

[Kruegon]

Well I can say this. I'll either build it stock or upgrade it. I'm not investing in another kit that's pretty much the exact same thing. As I said, it's not like I'm planning to put it up on Gs. Just a wider selection of E and F. This one isn't built like a tank. Even if I fully fillet it inside and out. At the end of the day, it's still balsa.

I do love MadCow kits. I have two of them so far. Still got several on the long list.

 

[jd2cylman]

I just blew the fins off a 5.5" dia. Mosquito with only a K and 600 fps. Simulate your flutter as this design is really flaky.

I have the remains... There was plywood confetti everywhere.

 

[watermelonman]

Done while the hard-assed LCO/RSOs are on a "nature" break. :wink: :grin:

View attachment 305416

And to answer your question, you shouldn't. Just get the Mozzie for 29mm.

I love it! Mine will have to fly in that configuration soon.

 

[MikeyDSlagle]

Well I can say this. I'll either build it stock or upgrade it. I'm not investing in another kit that's pretty much the exact same thing. As I said, it's not like I'm planning to put it up on Gs. Just a wider selection of E and F. This one isn't built like a tank. Even if I fully fillet it inside and out. At the end of the day, it's still balsa.

I do love MadCow kits. I have two of them so far. Still got several on the long list.

Build it stock. Should be able to fly it in your yard (if you have a yard) on Ds or unleash it on an F. No need to worry about adapting down. Cheaper too. With a rocket that size, it'll go outta sight on an F as it is. My Big Daddy is almost out of sight on an E20. Keep it simple, build it stock, except add a screw on retainer. And enjoy it in its 24mm glory. That's my plan.

And leave the block out. D reloads are jut as cheap as BP.

Mikey D

 

[HHaase]

Built mine with a 29mm mount and have never regretted it. With the TTW fins, and carefull trimming, you can epoxy the fin tabs to a 29mm motor tube. Can't do that if you leave it 24mm as it leaves a gap. So, structurally I think a 29mm motor tube is superior. Particularly with an Estes 29mm threaded retainer and no motor block.

That being said, I mostly fly it with an Estes adapter and aerotech 24/40 motors. D9/E11/F12 are all wonderful motors for the mega mosquito. Particularly those blackjacks. Probably my current favorite lpr/mpr rocket. Recently rebuilt from a Cato with about 4" more body tube.

Somewhere I did a build thread, will track it down when I'm not using my phone for interwebbing and have a proper keyboard.

-Hans

 

[MikeyDSlagle]

Built mine with a 29mm mount and have never regretted it. With the TTW fins, and carefull trimming, you can epoxy the fin tabs to a 29mm motor tube. Can't do that if you leave it 24mm as it leaves a gap. So, structurally I think a 29mm motor tube is superior. Particularly with an Estes 29mm threaded retainer and no motor block.

That being said, I mostly fly it with an Estes adapter and aerotech 24/40 motors. D9/E11/F12 are all wonderful motors for the mega mosquito. Particularly those blackjacks. Probably my current favorite lpr/mpr rocket. Recently rebuilt from a Cato with about 4" more body tube.

Somewhere I did a build thread, will track it down when I'm not using my phone for interwebbing and have a proper keyboard.

-Hans

You're saying the fin tabs don't reach the motor tube when built stock? Haven't got that far on mine, good to know, but seems an easy enough fix with a little sanding.

 

[dhbarr]

You're saying the fin tabs don't reach the motor tube when built stock? Haven't got that far on mine, good to know, but seems an easy enough fix with a little sanding.

Err, I could be misremembering but mine totally did.

 

[HHaase]

Huh, mine had a noticeable gap when initially did a test-fit. But that was a while back and I could also be remembering incorrectly.

 

[Rex R]

mine required a bit of sanding for a proper fit.
Rex

 

[Coop]

These were on ridiculous sale a little while back and I bought 5. One to each kid to do with as they pleased --they went with 24mm. One I built 24mm w/o a block and used a screw-on retainer, letting me use up to G's. Another I made for 3x24 (D-sized) clusters, and one I went with a 29mm. One of these days, I'll get them painted and fly 'em.


Later!

--Coop