U.S. Rockets Mosquito 2.2 Build

[mcderek]

Last spring I built a U.S. Rockets Mosquito 2.2. I loved that rocket! I lost it in waist deep alfalfa on a flight with a SU F50T. It was an awesome flight and I watched all the way to the ground. Looked for it for several hours. Several other people looked as well and nada

I bought another kit at the launch because I knew I would build another one.

A picture of the lost Mosquito 2.2:

I tried a new brand of paint and put the second coat on at a bad time. The finish was a bit flawed but it's hard to tell as it's screaming to the sky.

So what do you get in this kit? This is a simple kit. There aren't that many parts!

-Nice hard balsa fins and nose cone. The fins are surface mounted. I used a new technique for me in attaching them on my first build. I'll cover that when I get to attaching the fins.
-Sturdy 2.2" body tube.
-29mm motor mount with a 24mm adapter. Plywood centering rings.
-3"x30" streamer that works great on this rocket.
-Shock chord is nice and long and the attachment uses the classic paper fold triangle.
-1/4" launch lug
-Spare easy to follow instructions

A very simple, easy kit. Time to build! Feel free to jump into the conversation.

 

[mcderek]

First up is preparing the fins. I use my trusty David Combi Plane to taper the fin leading and trailing edges. It is an awesome tool and will work on ply with a good quality razor blade.

After the initial taper I sand with 120 grit. I use Elmers Carpenters wood filler thinned with water to fill the balsa grain. Apply, let dry, then sand with 320 grit. If you like the fins real smooth repeat process and sand with finer grit till satisfied.

 

[northbendbob]

ok... where did ya get that combi plane??? that looks sweet!!!

 

[mcderek]

I ordered mine from A2Z

https://www.a2zcorp.us/store/ProductDetailNP.asp?Cguid={FDA432FE-2585-4942-B764-2521313AAB32}&ProductID=4596

They offer a five pack of the blades which is worth ordering at the same time. The plane is a quality tool.

 

[RocketManDan]

definitely a quality kit!! Looks great!!!

 

[JAL3]

With your permission, I'd like to copy your initial post to the gallery. I'd also like to copy the glamor shot when your done with the new one. May I?

 

[Frederocket]

Last spring I built a U.S. Rockets Mosquito 2.2. I loved that rocket! I bought another kit at the launch because I knew I would build another one.

So what do you get in this kit? This is a simple kit. There aren't that many parts!

-Nice hard balsa fins and nose cone. The fins are surface mounted. I used a new technique for me in attaching them on my first build. I'll cover that when I get to attaching the fins.
-Sturdy 2.2" body tube.
-29mm motor mount with a 24mm adapter. Plywood centering rings.
-3"x30" streamer that works great on this rocket.
-Shock chord is nice and long and the attachment uses the classic paper fold triangle.
-1/4" launch lug
-Spare easy to follow instructions

A very simple, easy kit. Time to build! Feel free to jump into the conversation.

Which vender has the kit available---I want one.

 

[plano-doug]

Which vender has the kit available---I want one.

You can get it from US Rockets, $29.95. https://v-serv.com/usr/ss.htm

I'm sure they'd love to sell you one.

Doug

.

 

[Frederocket]

You can get it from US Rockets, $29.95. https://v-serv.com/usr/ss.htm

I'm sure they'd love to sell you one.

Doug.

I prefer using a vender...

 

[dixontj93060]

You can get it from US Rockets, $29.95. https://v-serv.com/usr/ss.htm

I'm sure they'd love to sell you one.

Doug

.

I did talk to Jerry recently via email after finishing my Sonic 3100 Phase2. The only kits he has available can be found on this page. But, pertinent to this discussion, the 2.2 Mosquito is on there.

 

[plano-doug]

I prefer using a vender...

Oh, you meant a reseller.

Doug

.

 

[raohara]

Hey, Fred. Derek bought the kits from me at one of the Blue Mountain Rocketeer launches earlier this year. I have a few left and will contact you off-line.

- Rich

 

[Frederocket]

Hey, Fred. Derek bought the kits from me at one of the Blue Mountain Rocketeer launches earlier this year. I have a few left and will contact you off-line.

- Rich

You the man Rich. Just send me an invoice...
Fred

 

[northbendbob]

I ordered mine from A2Z

https://www.a2zcorp.us/store/ProductDetailNP.asp?Cguid={FDA432FE-2585-4942-B764-2521313AAB32}&ProductID=4596

They offer a five pack of the blades which is worth ordering at the same time. The plane is a quality tool.

ordered!!!! done!!! BAM!!!!
real nice people, good price, it's on it's way thanks !!!!! Bob

 

[mcderek]

With your permission, I'd like to copy your initial post to the gallery. I'd also like to copy the glamor shot when your done with the new one. May I?

John, go right ahead.

 

[mcderek]

ordered!!!! done!!! BAM!!!!
real nice people, good price, it's on it's way thanks !!!!! Bob

Great! To bad I don't get a commission:wink: It's a wonderful tool. A2Z is a good company.

 

[mcderek]

Hey, Fred. Derek bought the kits from me at one of the Blue Mountain Rocketeer launches earlier this year. I have a few left and will contact you off-line.

- Rich

Hey Rich, maybe this one will stay found long enough to launch on the G80:dark:

 

[mcderek]

Here are the fins and nose cone with a coat of wood filler set up to dry:

Here is what I use to attach the surface mounted fins:

I use 0.003 fiberglass tape and thick viscosity CA glue.

A word on glue. I use titebond 2 or weldbond for my wood to paper joints. I do not like the smell of epoxy and only use it if necessary. Most people use glue fillets to strengthen the fin body joints. On this rocket with the big fins I decided to go for surface area for optimum joint strength. The next build report will show how I attach the fins with titebond using double gluing, followed by the fiberglass tape. Should be done in the next couple days.

 

[mcderek]

The 29mm motor mount is simplicity itself. 2 snug fitting plywood centering rings. The top centering ring has a small void but it will work so no problemo. The Titebond molding and trim wood glue works great for fillets. It stays where you put it so you can do both sides of the centering right one after the other.

 

[mcderek]

Preliminary fin attachment is finished. Now to use the fiberglass tape on the fin body tube joints.

All versions of the Mozzie are classic looking as far as I'm concerned!

 

[mcderek]

I received my first ever Semroc order and the Lil' Hercules distracted me Something tells me a Lil' Herecules 2.2 upscale could be in my future

Back at it with the Mozzie 2.2. One of the challenges with this rocket is keeping the fins on. Since they are surface mounted the glue joint is important. Normally I would use glue to build up fin fillets. For this rocket I decided to use fiberglass tape to reinforce the fin joint.

I sand the body tube and fin where the tape will be to have a bit more "tooth". Make sure you clean off all the dust. I use tack cloth.

I use thick CA glue to attach the tape. Thick viscosity CA takes longer to dry so you have plenty of time to lay the tape and position it accurately. Thin and medium dry before the tape is in place It would be easy to use epoxy as well.

The tape I use is 1" wide so there is 0.5" on the fin and the same on the body tube. The result is an incredibly strong joint.

I cut the tape to the right length using a single edge razor blade. This cuts the tape without defraying the ends real badly.

I then lay the tape on a piece of wax paper and apply the thick CA. I use a plastic glue applicator to spread the glue and make sure the tape is fully saturated.

Then lay it on the fin/tube joint and position correctly. Use the glue applicator to smooth the tape down. Then dab with a paper towel to remove the excess glue. Let dry.

An out of focus of the applied tape.

Once dry the tape can be sanded smooth with fine grit. Once sprayed with primer the tape pretty much disappears.

Is this technique stronger than glue fillets? I don't know. It does allow for greater surface area for fin attachment and worked very well on my first Mozzie 2.2. Now to the rest of the fins. I hope to fly her on Saturday

Have a great Thanksgiving!

 

[bradycros]

Once dry the tape can be sanded smooth with fine grit. Once sprayed with primer the tape pretty much disappears.

Is this technique stronger than glue fillets? I don't know. It does allow for greater surface area for fin attachment and worked very well on my first Mozzie 2.2. Now to the rest of the fins. I hope to fly her on Saturday

Have a great Thanksgiving!

I'd like to see that. Can you post a picture?

 

[mcderek]

I'd like to see that. Can you post a picture?

Sorry I missed your post. I haven't sprayed the primer yet due to weather. I have flown the rocket naked 4 times. It flies great! Today it flew on a E30-4. Sweet flight! I will post the final pictures once I paint it. I will take a picture after I apply the primer.

Here it is after sanding but before the primer:

Sorry about the photo quality. It's at the limits of this photographers skill!

A coat of primer and sanding and it will be ready for paint.