Jack Sheeks Mosquito

[Tim Wescott]

I just got seven airplanes from a former boss.  One is a Jack Sheeks Mosquito.

When was this published, and in what magazine?  I didn't find it in the Tom Morris book, so I presume that it is not Classic legal.

[Dan McEntee]

   Model Aviation, 1982, I believe, or early 80's for sure.. It came to everyone's attention at the NATS around that time when he used it to warm up the judges one morning and everyone was quite impressed. I have the RSM kit and it is near the top of my build bucket list. I got to see Jim Krieger fly his in a demo at the KidVenture circles at Oshkosh one of the last years that I was able to attend. Powered by two OS.25S engines. I would like to power mine with two FP or LA.25's, and one of them have a reverse crankshaft, so i could try counter rotating props just for giggles and grins. But OS don't make them and I know of no one that wants to make me one. Electric would obviously be the answer there but then you wouldn't have the cool looking twin exhaust trails or that unique sound!
   Type at you later,
  Dan McEntee

[Dennis Adamisin]

Jack told me that he flew the Mossie for the judges at 1980 NATs and insisted it was Super 70's legal - thus a cinch for Nos 30, but definitely not Classic era.

[Tim Wescott]

This is why I ask.  I'm wondering what event I can fly it in.  I may change the wheels, though.

[Steve_Pollock]

The Mosquito was published in MA August 1981.

[Trostle]

In his August 1981 MA article for the Mosquito, Jack said that a friend built the wing and he got the wing at an early 1980 contest.  Jack also said it was finished before the 1980 Nats where he flew it for practice judging.  I think an argument could be made that the design was finished before December 1979.

Keith

[wwwarbird]

This is why I ask.  I'm wondering what event I can fly it in.  I may change the wheels, though.

 That model looks familiar, who built it?

[Tim Wescott]

That model looks familiar, who built it?

Gary Nelson.  Flew in the Pacific Northwest in the 80's and 90's.  He flew at the Nats in the 90's, but I don't think it was with this plane.

[wwwarbird]

 Interesting stuff Tim, thanks. Looks like Tornado props, what engines are in it? Keith Sandberg in our club had one about 15 years ago with FP.35's, Tornado 10x6's and retracts. He built it with removable outer wing panels too, making it a little easier to transport. That thing really hauled butt and just ripped through the pattern, a really fun one to watch.

[Tim Wescott]

Interesting stuff Tim, thanks. Looks like Tornado props, what engines are in it?

Gary told me they're Fox 35's.  I haven't had the cowls off to be sure.  They have angled plugs, though.

[M Spencer]

I'm wondering what event I can fly it in.

" DOGFIGHT " .

looks Good . with good engine runs , a good twin is as good as any & better than most ,
So any Aerobatic event is fine . A bit of nitro keeps the fires lit and  settings steady .

20 % was common once , if the runs / tanks suit , 12 % might wake it up fine .
You get the good thrumming beat , with the rich nitro needle settings .

[wwwarbird]

Gary told me they're Fox 35's.

 Hold on tight! 

[john e. holliday]

Yes fly stunt with it.   If plane is trimmed right it shouldn't pull that hard.   

[Dan McEntee]

Gary told me they're Fox 35's.  I haven't had the cowls off to be sure.  They have angled plugs, though.

   I believe that is what Jack's original had in it. If the original three blade props in yours are questionable, get a couple of Master Air Screw 10-5's for it. Maybe even experiment with trimming 1/2" off the tips. A Mossie HAS to have three blade props!
  Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

[Keith Renecle]

This is why I ask.  I'm wondering what event I can fly it in.  I may change the wheels, though.

Tim, that wheel is only flat on one side......just turn it over and use the good side! 

Keith R

[Paul Walker]

Tim,
I have flown that plane. Gary used to live up Seattle way and we flew together often.

Some of Gary's planes flew well. He had a Shark 45 with a ST 51 that was real good. Miss seeing him. I know he got into windsurfing, and that pretty much ended stunt.

Hope you can get him out for a contest some time.

[Tim Wescott]

Some of Gary's planes flew well. He had a Shark 45 with a ST 51 that was real good. Miss seeing him. I know he got into windsurfing, and that pretty much ended stunt.

Hope you can get him out for a contest some time.

He's out of windsurfing now, too.  He sounded like he'd like to be able to get interested, but can't.  With modeling, he said he came to the end of all the airplanes he wanted to build, and that was that.

Here's the Shark 45.  He tells me he broke a prop on takeoff, and purposely brought it in inverted to save the engine.  I'm not sure if it's apparent from the picture but the whole left front side is off (leaning against the left LE in the picture) -- I suspect that rattled loose before, rather than as a consequence of, the landing.  It looks like an extensive, but quite doable, rebuild.

Also a pic of the entire collection.

He mentioned coming out to Delta Park -- I'm going to remind him before the Tuneup, if I can remember myself.

[wwwarbird]

  With modeling, he said he came to the end of all the airplanes he wanted to build, and that was that.

 Man, that's just a bummer, and hard to imagine. I'd say I'm the opposite, a bit depressed in knowing I'll never get to building all the designs I'd like to, that Staggerwing hanging there being one of them.

[Brett Buck]

Some of Gary's planes flew well. He had a Shark 45 with a ST 51 that was real good.

    Agreed, that was a T&L ST 51 and it ran better than most ST60s.

    Brett