Mosquito

The Mosquito: This speck of a rocket is a pure 3FNC-type model. (Meaning it's simple: Three Fins and a Nose Cone) Built in the mid 70's, it uses featherweight recovery. It uses 13mm T motors that are ejected out
after the boost and delay phase. Take a quick look at the specs: only 0.14 ounces and less than 4 inches tall including the swept fins.  If I recall correctly the kit cost me less than $1 back in the day.

On my particular model, with its dark metallic olive and black paint, it's impossible to find in the grass upon recovery! Trust me: Stick with 1/4 or 1/2 A sized motors, and paint this tiny insect bright orange / yellow / red, because it is a b**** to find in the grass.

Or I might suggest make a dozen of these so you will find at least a few of them, or make one of the many upscale versions of this speck of insect!  Of course this model has a tremendously fast liftoff and can make some really high altitudes - but don't count on seeing any of that, just expect it to disappear in the sky and it won't disappoint.

I always remembered from the old catalog that this model is 3.9 inches. I was a bit disappointed to see in the new catalog that they changed the dimensions. So I measured my model only to discover it was actually 4.25 inches! Wha?  It don't matter now: I have a kit for an upscaled Mega-Mosquito that flies on D motors, can't wait to get that one built and into the air!

SPECIFICATIONS

Series Number: 6

Number of Stages: 1
Length: 4.25"  (The 1975 catalog lists this at 3.9")

Diameter: 0.54"

Fin Width: 1"

Fin Circle Span: 2.54"

Number of Fins: 3

Fin Material: Balsa Wood

Nosecone Material: Plastic

Empty Weight: 4 grams

Liftoff Weight Range: 10 - 11.9 grams
Motor Diameter: 13 mm
Motor Length: 45 mm
Motor Retention Method: Friction Fit
Recovery Method: Featherweight / Tumble
Altimeter Capable: No
Launch Lug Size: 1/8"
Kit Brand: Estes
Completion: about 1976

FLIGHT LOGS

(Estimated about 7 flights on this rocket back in the 1970's)

2012, June 30: Indiantown Gap, Erratic winds

¼A3-2T: Time for a little fun. Brought out the tiny Mosquito and loaded it up with a ¼A3-2T motor.  This was an old motor with a date code of June 20, 1975.  With the new igniter it lit on the first try, and of course the rocket disappeared from the rail. Weighing in at less than 10 grams fully loaded, it just disappeared.

Fortunately somebody saw it land, but when we went to it, it was just the empty casing (which it is supposed to eject for tumble recovery).  More fortunately somebody else actually saw the rocket land and it was recovered undamaged within 50 feet of the launch. Of course, this is too small to be wearing an Altimeter 2, so there is no data on this flight.