Mosquito!

[twospruces]

Yay! I'm quite happy; I will shortly have a Mossie kit in my hands courtesy of Ebay. What a great plane; I'm daydreaming about how to make this thing fly on a single rubber power source.

That could be an interesting challenge; what would be a good approach to put a single rubber motor into the fuselage, and be able to drive two props?
I suppose the better approach would be to make it electric R/C.

[Wildpig]

I think using a single, fuselage mounted, rubber motor and driving two propellers would be a difficult mechanism to build.

I have seen a prop added to the nose and rubber motor in the fuselage of a twin engine airplane.
A fella named Chris Starleaf had such a model. Might be able to Google search his name.
Can't remember what type of aircraft it was.

You could use twin rubber power and install motor sticks. Basically, it's a long stick extending out the back of each wing with a
hook on the end to attach the rubber motor. I've seen it used on airplane models with short nacelles like the Mosquito and A-26 Invader. Kind of ruins the aesthetic looks of the airplane if you ask me but, to some folks it doesn't matter.

I think electric would be the best solution.

[Wildpig]

This isn't quite the same thing as motor sticks. It is an interesting method to get a long motor on a twin engine aircraft.
http://www.theplanpage.com/Months/2603/db-7.htm

[twospruces]

for kits like this, it would seem like if demand was the problem, why not just offer the kit via the website?

i am assuming the dies are are still on hand, as are the molds.

maybe it makes no sense to distribute.... but you get no payback on the tooling when they sit unused.


i feel like cutting the canopy is a sin. i will be quite nervous as i cant recover from a mistake!!

i am thinking about making some plugs in case i need them to make extra plastics. in fact.... very light fibreglass cloth and epoxy would be a nice alternative to plastic. if i make molds, i will probably go with composite parts instead.

love this plane, thrilled to have the kit! ( well i dont have it yet...i will have to drive across the border to pick it up at a ups store.....)

[Wildpig]

The Mossie is one of those kits that I don't know why Guillow quit producing. Beautiful airplane, outstanding aircraft in it's day.
With the advent of electric flight, I would think it make a nice r/c model.

I think making your own molds from those plastic parts before you cut them would be an outstanding idea.

[SteveM]

There is at least one thread somewhere discussing why kits get discontinued. In short, dies wear out and cost a lot to replace.

[twospruces]

Yah; if the dies are done...it a pretty easy decision. I've read those threads. I guess the impression I had was that the mossie was a low volume model, and as such maybe the dies did not become exhausted. who knows! The plastic parts are the most difficult to deal with. I saw the plans, knew they were available at AMA etc. But for me having access to the plastics made enough of a difference to warrant paying a fair bit for an old kit.

cheers-

[SteveM]

Quite right, what we really need them to do is make the plastics and print the plans.

[twospruces]

nice work!
I like the last shot because I can see the materials I will need. I was wondering about the filler!

The more I think about it, the more comfortable I get with using epoxy and thin veil fibreglass to make a stronger version of the plastics. I might just do that. I happen to have a vacuum system in my workshop. If I make a male mold using plaster, I should be able to do it. To me, working with epoxy is easier than working with plastic.

We'll see.

My intention is to make a flying model, but my experience is limited compared to many of you. I may just start by finishing my P38. For both, here is the short list of features I would strive for

* electric power
* R/C control
* retractable landing gear
* some LED running lights

I think I will try the fibreglass trick on the P38 first. God forbid I should ruin the plastics in the process of making the mold.

[SteveM]

* electric power
* R/C control

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=827861

[Wildpig]

Thanks for posting that link Steve. There it is, all laid out , electric flight setup for many of the Guilllow kits.
No guess work. Those are actual installations.
Learned something else from looking at those threads. A member of the rcgroups named Konrad
posted this:
FYI. Many years ago I learned from the widow of Paul K Guillow that the pronunciation of Guillow is like blending Gwen (the name of a girl) and willow (a type of tree).

I have been mispronouncing his name for many years.

[twospruces]

Oh yes, I have been all over that list of conversions! thanks for posting. I wish there were more than 1 Mossie in the list. It will only take me a decade so perhaps one or two more will start and finish before I am too fat along!

[Bill Gaylord]

Oh yes, I have been all over that list of conversions! thanks for posting. I wish there were more than 1 Mossie in the list. It will only take me a decade so perhaps one or two more will start and finish before I am too fat along!

"before I am too fat along!" That's what killed my B25 conversion attempt.
Seriously, I know you meant to say "far", but I couldn't pass that one up.

I think Glenn's conversion is the only one I've seen of the Mosquito. You would think there would be more, but not yet. I've done a number of the single engine micro conversions including a few Guillows, but no twins. Built a FlyZone Mosquito twice for rc however, and they were certainly flyable with only rud/elev. Their fuses live on in a 30mm edf Vampire and Salamander. Love to build this kit one of these days. I'll be watching your build.

[SteveM]

What clued me in on the correct pronunciation of Guillow was a local news blurb that they posted on the website. I've tried to pronounce it correctly since, but if you call a hobby shop and ask if they have any Goo-ill-ooh kits in stock they say "Who"?

[twospruces]

Hey all,
Just thought I would mention,

I wrote customer service a note, asking if they still had any replacement parts for the Mossie. They stated no. I had hoped there might still be a chance to get plastic since I am quite nervous about ruining the ones I have. Anyhow, that is that.

I'm still waiting for mine to arrive. fingers crossed.

cheers,