Brief:
This is basically an upscaled Estes Mosquito. Avast, me proud beauty! I'm sure this is nay a totally correct size 2.6x upscale but it suited me need for a Mosquito that I can launch and recover more than once. Well, blow me down! I built it with a 24mm motor mount and it uses parachute recovery unlike it's baby counterpart.

Construction:
It has been a few years since I built this model but I used t' following components.

• 1 Estes BT-80 body tube (full length)
• 1 Estes Fat Boy nose cone
• 1 sheet Sig 1/8in balsa for fins
• 1 Estes D motor mount kit
• 1 3/16in diameter Estes launch lug (cut in half)
• 1 shock cord
• 1 Estes 18in parachute

I started with comin' up with a fin shape that looked good enough. I then cut out three fins from t' balsa sheet. Arrr! Begad! Cuttin' out fins with a round edge is really nay t' easiest thin' t' do so be sure t' take your time.

I then assembled t' motor mount followin' t' instructions that were included in t' D motor mount kit. After t' glue dried, I glued it into the body tube.

I slightly scuffed t' body tube prior t' mountin' t' three fins. Begad! I then glued on one fin at a time. After all t' fins were mounted and secured, I applied about three fillets for strength.

I took t' 3/16in launch lug that I planned t' use, arrr, cut it in half and mounted each piece on t' body tube.

Now, shiver me timbers, I made t' shock cord mount. Ahoy! Blimey! I cut out a 3-fold mount from a card stock template that I had lyin' around and assembled it in t' normal matter. When t' glue dried, arrr, I mounted it into t' body tube.

That pretty much completed t' construction.

I then swin' tested t' model with a D12-5 motor installed t' test for stability. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! It tested perfectly without needin' any nose weight. Well, blow me down! At this point, I figured that it would fly stable, therefore I decided t' finish it.

Finishing:
I started t' finishin' by sprayin' t' model with Ace brand primer and sanded between coats. Blimey! Avast! I then sprayed t' model with Ace brand Garden Green spray enamel. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! After t' green dried overnight, matey, arrr, I masked off t' green areas and painted one fin gloss black. Blimey! I wanted t' keep t' Mosquito paint scheme the same but I wanted t' use different colors.

I then attached t' parachute and officially declared t' project complete.

Flight:
So far, t' model has made several successful flights on D12-5 motors. Ahoy! This provided a very straight flight up t' about 500 feet.

I have also launched t' model twice on E9-4 motors. Arrr! Although t' boost was nice up t' maybe 750-800 feet, arrr, ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, t' 4 second delay is just a bit short. Arrr! It slightly damaged t' chute t' first flight and then completely shredded it on the second flight causin' t' model t' tumble down onto concrete. It landed standin' up on it's fins and surprisingly, arrr, it did nay sustain any damage. Begad! This delay be chosen based on availability at t' time. I think an E9-6 would be perfect.

I have also flown t' model once on a C11-3. Well, blow me down! This was a very nice flight to about 300 feet. Ahoy! This would be an excellent small field combination.

Recovery:
For recovery, I use an 18in parachute. Well, blow me down! Aye aye! This provides a nice slow recovery (as long as it doesn't get ripped apart) without driftin' too far. Arrr! Arrr! I did reef it though on t' E9 flights.

Summary:
I really enjoyed buildin' and flyin' this rocket. Blimey! I really like t' looks of the Mosquito but t' Estes version is essentially a one shot rocket. Avast, me proud beauty! I wanted more, me hearties, shiver me timbers, so I built this rocket. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Now, shiver me timbers, t' Estes Mosquito has been discontinued so this would be a better alternative. Avast, me proud beauty! I'd love t' see a manufacturer design a correct size o' this model.