625% upscale mosquito

[Gillard]

Part of my winter project was to do a series of upscales of the classic Estes mosquito.

This is my biggest one so far, completely scratch, non standard body tube, custom rings, lathe turned nose cone.

First thing i did was to get the body tube, this was a standard postal tube that was 3.4 inch in diameter. The body tube length needs to be 12.5 inches long.

I did not choose this tube, but happened across it as a UKAYRoC (british TARC) team that I am mentoring wanted to glass a BT, so I had them practice on a spare poster tube I had. They did such a good job on the practice tube that I thought i'd use it!

The whole tube was glassed, and then had the weave on the cloth filled using polyester filler, this was then sanded smooth, which took about an hour, but gave a smooth and strong finish. After that a 12.5 inch section was cut out.
Another section was also cut to make the shoulder on the nose cone.

 

[Gillard]

The fins template was made on a photocopier.
I went for 6mm ply for the material which in hindsight should have been 4mm ply, as there is alot of fin on a mosquito.
The fins were to be attached TTW, so I left quite large tabs on the fins, they were to be cut down later.
The fins were beveled on a belt sander and then given a few coats of varnish to fill the grain.

 

[Gillard]

The slots for the fins were cut out using a router, first time using a bench router and the slots were not great, and they over extended by 2 inchs at the top end. Next time i'll make a holder to keep the tube still and give the correct length.

 

[Handeman]

The slots for the fins were cut out using a router, first time using a bench router and the slots were not great, and they over extended by 2 inchs at the top end. Next time i'll make a holder to keep the tube still and give the correct length.

Jigs are always the best way to go when doing repetitive machine work, even if it is only three slots.

I suspect you'll overcome the "issue" easy enough.

What motor size are you using? From the look of the tabs on the fins, I would guess 29mm.

Good Luck

 

[Gillard]

Jigs are always the best way to go when doing repetitive machine work, even if it is only three slots.

I suspect you'll overcome the "issue" easy enough.

What motor size are you using? From the look of the tabs on the fins, I would guess 29mm.

Good Luck

i went with 38mm eventually, i had to cut the tabs down.

 

[Handeman]

i went with 38mm eventually, i had to cut the tabs down.

Smart move. I think it's always better to go with the bigger MMT.

 

[als57]

Pictures please!

Actually I'm working on an 8X upscale myself.


Al

 

[Gillard]

Nose cone had to be custom made.
6 planks of wood were glued together, clamped and left to dry.
the block was then turned on a lathe.
The nosecone was quite heavy so it was hollowed out with a dremel -which took some time.
a shoulder will then be added using a section of the BT from before.

 

[Gillard]

Pictures please!

Actually I'm working on an 8X upscale myself.


Al

what tube are you using?
(a loc/pml 4 inch tube would be a 735% upscale)

 

[Gillard]

Using a 38mm mount, the mount rinds need to be made, this was done on a laser cutter, so they turned out to be a perfect fit!

 

[Gillard]

The rear ring had two grub nuts added, as i am using a screw in type retainer (rowes i think)

the forward ring, had a U bolt attached for the shock cord anchor.

 

[Gillard]

Fin tabs were cut down to size and the motor mount and forward ring was exopied into the tube. the fins were then fixed to the motor mount and given internal and external epoxy fillets.

 

[Gillard]

The shock cord was screwed into the wood nose cone. A d link was added for parachute attachment.
The gaps from the over keen routing were filled with polystryene filler.
The rocket was given a few coats of grey primer, sanding between coats.

 

[als57]

what tube are you using?
(a loc/pml 4 inch tube would be a 735% upscale)

Guilty as charged. I'm using a Loc type tube. Was going to do one slightly larger.

BTW yours is looking good.


Al

 

[Diosces]

Awesome build! Great job!
Gotta love the mini rocket upscales..

 

[UPscaler]

Awesome build! Great job!
Gotta love the mini rocket upscales..

Very nice! I plan on building a 735% upscale with PML 4 inch tubing. Who has that laser cutter? I wish I had access to one.

 

[Gillard]

Very nice! I plan on building a 735% upscale with PML 4 inch tubing. Who has that laser cutter? I wish I had access to one.

i'm getting a 4inch nose cone in about 3 weeks time, then i'll start the 735% upscale, the laser cutter is at the school that i work at.
that fin material are you planning to use?, i'm thinking about 6mm ply, but am slightly concerned that that might be too heavy.

 

[als57]

that fin material are you planning to use?, i'm thinking about 6mm ply, but am slightly concerned that that might be too heavy.

My fins are 1/4" (aprox 6mm) 5 ply plywood. Balanced out by a Performance Rocketry 4" nose cone and additional weight up front.

Al

 

[Gillard]

Was going to match the paint scheme of this mosquito to the five others i've built, but decided to change it to the red and yellow scheme.
photo against the original for scale

 

[Gillard]

Rail buttons were added.

 

[Gillard]

decal was added. its an upscale of the original mini brute decal found with the older mosquito kits.
gordy at excelsiorrocketry made we a range of upscale minibrutes for my mosquitos, really good quality, would heavily recommend.

 

[UPscaler]

i'm getting a 4inch nose cone in about 3 weeks time, then i'll start the 735% upscale, the laser cutter is at the school that i work at.
that fin material are you planning to use?, i'm thinking about 6mm ply, but am slightly concerned that that might be too heavy.

Actually, I am going to keep the fin thickness to scale.

I will use quater inch ply, in the shape of the fins, anbd holes cut in them to reduce weight.
Then I am going to put 1/8 balsa on both sides to give it a scale thickness of half an inch.

I also plan on doing a scale launch lug. using a BT-60 tube as the lug. With the real lugs inside.

 

[Gillard]

Actually, I am going to keep the fin thickness to scale.

I will use quater inch ply, in the shape of the fins, anbd holes cut in them to reduce weight.
Then I am going to put 1/8 balsa on both sides to give it a scale thickness of half an inch.

I also plan on doing a scale launch lug. using a BT-60 tube as the lug. With the real lugs inside.

just got my 4 inch nose cone, i like your idea of a true scale with the launch lug and fins - i might steal that idea!

 

[MattieShoes]

I'll be impressed when you upscale the original recovery method without being unsafe

Just kidding, it looks beautiful

 

[Gillard]

Got to fly her today.
Used a 29/38 adaptor and flew on a H180.
Great flight, fast, with a white flame, perfectly straight, did not weathercock despite the gusting winds.
a friend got some flight pics which i'll post when i get then sent to me.

 

[Gillard]

Photos.

 

[Gillard]

Got to fly this one again on a H180. another good flight, but she cracked a fin on landing - Easy repair.

 

[JPVegh]

Nice work and great flight pic! Thanks for sharing.

 

[RadioFlyer]

Very cool ! My $.99 Mosquito from 1982 wanted to be your rocket when it grew up!

 

[JAL3]

These really belong in the gallery!

May I copy them?