Flight Log - 2012-06-30 - Rich DeAngelis's Mosquito

The Mosquito: This speck of a rocket is a pure 3FNC-type model. 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 it cost me less than $1.

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 after launching, 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.

 

Flight Date: 2012-06-30
Rocket Name: Mosquito
Kit Name: Estes - Mosquito {Kit} (0801, TK-1) [1971-2011]
Flyer's Name: Rich DeAngelis
Motors: 1/2A3-2
Expected Altitude: 200.00 Feet
Wind Speed: 7.00 mph
Launch Site: Fort Indiantown Gap, PA

 

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.

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