Gee Bee R3 30cc
#180
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Actually it was not tail heavy. John Anklin and I spent quite a bit of time using his EZ-Balancer to set the recommended CG on the plane (Giant Model Products recommended CG). Ended up adding over a pound of lead to the cowl to get it balanced. Dale flew it twice and had the same issues both times. Plane wanted to roll to the left when landing, and always went to knife edge when making aieleron turns. The next time you see Dale you may want to ask him what his thoughts are on correcting the issues he experienced when flying it. I basically gave it to Max who now wants Dale to maiden it for him, but I don't think he really wants to try flying it again.
I'm not sure if it was something wrong with the way I assembled the plane, or what, as the forums reflect a number of people who have flown them successfully.
#182
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Yes this is Henry. I only remember him saying it was a handful both times he flew it. It may have been the incidence given the CG was not the issue. Also read in this thread where people had issues related to the wheel pants not being perfectly straight. They are really large and will act as rudders if they are not straight.
Last edited by ultra6a; 03-06-2014 at 07:16 AM.
#184
Electric, I have the set up sitting around and had been looking for a simple good looking plane like a old timer or WWI plane when I saw this. Not sure I should have got it now...
#185
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There are a number of videos on You Tube of people who have had success with theirs.
#186
Well it got to me quick. A look while unboxing found cracks in every piece of fiberglass. The landing gear is very odd, the wires all corroded and loose in the pants. Canopy very warped. I sent a quick email about the cracked fiberglass immediately and haven't heard back yet, hasn't been long though, just yesterday afternoon.
After flying today I started the build by hinging the stabs with larger hinge points. Cut the covering for the stabs and wing mounting on the fuse and went over the covering. Mounted the stabs and wings to look the incidence and overall straightness out. The wings are okay but the mounting to the fuse on one side is horrible with a large gap above the wing. One aileron will need to have a twist removed. The biggest issue though is the stab is not flat to the wing. Not sure if I can twist the fuse enough to get it straight.
looks like I'll throw it together and if it flys spend some time to fix the many flaws. Good thing it wasn't expensive...
After flying today I started the build by hinging the stabs with larger hinge points. Cut the covering for the stabs and wing mounting on the fuse and went over the covering. Mounted the stabs and wings to look the incidence and overall straightness out. The wings are okay but the mounting to the fuse on one side is horrible with a large gap above the wing. One aileron will need to have a twist removed. The biggest issue though is the stab is not flat to the wing. Not sure if I can twist the fuse enough to get it straight.
looks like I'll throw it together and if it flys spend some time to fix the many flaws. Good thing it wasn't expensive...
#189
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Other than the wraped canopy, I hadnt noticed any of those issues. Tho I will try to remember to check the level of the stab to wings. I'm guessing Gerry will do what he can for you.
BTW the gear wire IS loose in the pants. Once you mount the gear to the wing, and then mount the pants to the wing...the LG wire will float inside. This is one of the major flaws with this plane. Most ahve upgraded to Oleo struts, or used the flying wires attached to the wire instead of the wheelpants.
BTW the gear wire IS loose in the pants. Once you mount the gear to the wing, and then mount the pants to the wing...the LG wire will float inside. This is one of the major flaws with this plane. Most ahve upgraded to Oleo struts, or used the flying wires attached to the wire instead of the wheelpants.
#190
At this point I'm not asking for anything other than a cowl and if I get one great, if not okay as I don't see this as a good plane. The wire needs to be fixed, attached to the pants...
#191
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Evan,
I try not to work the whole weekend.... This weekend being my birthday, BUT I came down with the flu! The hatch's have ALWAYS been that way... Don't know why, But this summer let it sit out at the flying field with the hatch screwed down and it will come out. Where is it cracked at? The landing gear is made that way, loose fitting... We have tried to develop new ones. We have lots of oleo struts on order, been on order sense Oct. last year. Don't know, why the holdup. Where are they cracked at?
What happened to the Cowl? where is it cracked? Your plane was insured, so if we need to do something we will !!! There is a BIG hole on top of where the wing goes into fuse????? PLEASE send me pictures of all this and cracks in every piece of fiberglass..... My goal is not to sell JUNK to anyone, but sell a airplane at a affordable price!
Gerry
Also.... Sorry you don't see this as a good plane.........................
I try not to work the whole weekend.... This weekend being my birthday, BUT I came down with the flu! The hatch's have ALWAYS been that way... Don't know why, But this summer let it sit out at the flying field with the hatch screwed down and it will come out. Where is it cracked at? The landing gear is made that way, loose fitting... We have tried to develop new ones. We have lots of oleo struts on order, been on order sense Oct. last year. Don't know, why the holdup. Where are they cracked at?
What happened to the Cowl? where is it cracked? Your plane was insured, so if we need to do something we will !!! There is a BIG hole on top of where the wing goes into fuse????? PLEASE send me pictures of all this and cracks in every piece of fiberglass..... My goal is not to sell JUNK to anyone, but sell a airplane at a affordable price!
Gerry
Also.... Sorry you don't see this as a good plane.........................
Well it got to me quick. A look while unboxing found cracks in every piece of fiberglass. The landing gear is very odd, the wires all corroded and loose in the pants. Canopy very warped. I sent a quick email about the cracked fiberglass immediately and haven't heard back yet, hasn't been long though, just yesterday afternoon.
After flying today I started the build by hinging the stabs with larger hinge points. Cut the covering for the stabs and wing mounting on the fuse and went over the covering. Mounted the stabs and wings to look the incidence and overall straightness out. The wings are okay but the mounting to the fuse on one side is horrible with a large gap above the wing. One aileron will need to have a twist removed. The biggest issue though is the stab is not flat to the wing. Not sure if I can twist the fuse enough to get it straight.
looks like I'll throw it together and if it flys spend some time to fix the many flaws. Good thing it wasn't expensive...
After flying today I started the build by hinging the stabs with larger hinge points. Cut the covering for the stabs and wing mounting on the fuse and went over the covering. Mounted the stabs and wings to look the incidence and overall straightness out. The wings are okay but the mounting to the fuse on one side is horrible with a large gap above the wing. One aileron will need to have a twist removed. The biggest issue though is the stab is not flat to the wing. Not sure if I can twist the fuse enough to get it straight.
looks like I'll throw it together and if it flys spend some time to fix the many flaws. Good thing it wasn't expensive...
#192
Gerry, interesting you posted here instead of answering my email... Every flaw noted is not your fault. As I said in my email the plane had no box damage. I'm sure the warps and cracked fiberglass parts were nothing you had any control of. The cowl had its foam intact and in the plastic bag. Same with the way the fuse build has a gap (not a crack) between the wing and fuse. None of these things are things that could reasonably be claimed on insurance. As I said it would be nice to get a new cowl as this is the most notable damage. But I understand if they aren't available. I just ask that if you say you'll do something please follow through, too many vendors say they do something in a forum and never follow through. I'd happily talk off forum via email.
Evan
Evan
Last edited by evan-RCU; 03-09-2014 at 05:15 PM.
#194
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Progress update...
I've got the cowl cut, pull-pull crimped and tightened, fuji water bottle tank with PSP parts installed, throttle servo mounted, control horns painted red, and working on a hidden compartment with door for my switches.
I had to move the ignition from the side where the previous picture shown, to the bottom of the engine box. It was hitting the cowl.
Also, you can see I've got 3/4" from cowl to spinner backplate. Wish it could be less, but shorter standoffs would put the carb inside the engine box.
Can anyone advise on the muffler cutout with regards to cooling? With such a big mouth on the front, I'm thinking this should be baffled. Should I have a bigger air exit hole?
I've got the cowl cut, pull-pull crimped and tightened, fuji water bottle tank with PSP parts installed, throttle servo mounted, control horns painted red, and working on a hidden compartment with door for my switches.
I had to move the ignition from the side where the previous picture shown, to the bottom of the engine box. It was hitting the cowl.
Also, you can see I've got 3/4" from cowl to spinner backplate. Wish it could be less, but shorter standoffs would put the carb inside the engine box.
Can anyone advise on the muffler cutout with regards to cooling? With such a big mouth on the front, I'm thinking this should be baffled. Should I have a bigger air exit hole?
#195
Looking good. I've been away from home so building on mine has been minimal. Mounted the motor and soldered up my ESC connections and laid out where everything will go. I haven't heard a peep from Gerry so no news there. His only contact has been his posts above.
#196
Gerry emailed me! What he asked surprises me since I posted the damage above and he answered after my post... On the flip side while away working this week my Freewing Stinger 90 and A6E were delivered. No damage to either one and guess what will be move off my bench so I can build these first?
Hey Evan,
Sorry for the long delay!
Was the box damaged at all??? I really thought it was packed pretty good. Any signs of foot prints, holes, or anything else?
Again... Sorry for the Delay
Hey Evan,
Sorry for the long delay!
Was the box damaged at all??? I really thought it was packed pretty good. Any signs of foot prints, holes, or anything else?
Again... Sorry for the Delay
#197
A couple emails and over a week later and nothing back from Gerry. Progress is moving on the build. I'm at the scratching my head to figure out what to do with the landing gear step. Other than this and the flying wires which go hand in hand and mounting the cowl she's done...
#199
Gear is about done. I put in a u block against the pants and bolted the cable bracket, pant wood block and landing gear together with 4-40 bolts and then some big globs of epoxy/ microbaloons along the landing gear/ and pants inside along with a couple screw between the pants and wing have a pretty strong gear... Only issue is I didn't get enough of the little aluminium brackets for the cables. I got enough cables, swedges, turnbuckles and quik links though... I need 8 more brackets, looking at the angle they need to be though, about 90 deg, it's better to make some out of steel.
I need to make the cables between the top of the wings/ fuse and inside of gear/ fuse, swap out the nylon wing bolts for SAE steel wing bolts and blind nuts I have, mount the canopy and balance... not bad... Its about 14.3lb with batteries ready to fly.
I did get a PM from Gerry, just saw it from 3/9 saying he was sending a new cowl.
Here are some pics for you...
I need to make the cables between the top of the wings/ fuse and inside of gear/ fuse, swap out the nylon wing bolts for SAE steel wing bolts and blind nuts I have, mount the canopy and balance... not bad... Its about 14.3lb with batteries ready to fly.
I did get a PM from Gerry, just saw it from 3/9 saying he was sending a new cowl.
Here are some pics for you...
Last edited by evan-RCU; 03-29-2014 at 02:34 PM.