Gee Bee R3 30cc
#203
Maiden and flight #2 today and no surprises. Balance first flight was about 3.5" from LE and was a bit nose heavy. Second flight I used slightly lighter batteries and it was better needing just a tad of push inverted. The only issue was the tail wheel bracket... need to work on that. Now that I know it flys I'll add the fuselage stickers, fix the tail wheel bracket and replace the cheap flying wire clevises.
#206
Join Date: Feb 2005
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I ahvent worked on mine in a couple weeks. Had to build PNP foamies for West Michigan Park Flyers before the Toledo Show, and now we have a basement wall ripped out cuz of a leak. I did get to talk to Gerry in person at Toledo tho, so it was nice to discuss things.
#207
Did he mention if parts are coming? When do you anticipate a maiden? BTW mine, electric with a 30-40cc equivelent set up on 12S needed no additional weight to balance. It was very quick, I fly a lot of very fast planes so I won't say fast, but for its size it was moving pretty good, I'd say probably 120-140mph. Pulling 3500W. I reengineered the tail wheel set up adding an aluminium extension that has a better bearing and a slight angle so the pivot is at a better angle. Also a different tail wheel yoke that is down both sides of the wheel with a C clipped axle. It was the gear I had from an old Sig Rascal 110.
#208
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I didnt ask about parts, but he said he's running into issues with his current manufacturer.
I'm hoping to maiden in a month, maybe two depending on my work load. =/ Main things left are to finish my hidden switch bay (which is basically done, just has to be glued in), baffle & mount the cowl, mount rx/ignition/batteries, mount struts (once I get the Oleos from Gerry).
I'm hoping to maiden in a month, maybe two depending on my work load. =/ Main things left are to finish my hidden switch bay (which is basically done, just has to be glued in), baffle & mount the cowl, mount rx/ignition/batteries, mount struts (once I get the Oleos from Gerry).
#209
Hmmm... interesting. These are made by one manufacturer and anyone willing to buy a container of them can be a distributor. The people distributing them typically can't ask for manufacturing changes. Once the distributor gets them they can swap out things like hardware and wing tubes. I guess they could have them swapped before they ship from China but I doubt it... If he is having problems with the manufacturer that sounds bad for us the distributors customers. Things are done a bit differently in China manufacturing. A couple pages back I asked Gerry point blank not to promise if he can't deliver. This was after he said he shipped a new cowl then came back two weeks later after I said I never got it and said he had to order it... Since it flys I'd like it to look nice.
#210
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Evan,
You might know that things work different over there and I know this also, As I have spent a lot of time over there. They are wanting to change the minimum order amount. I got a couple of 30cc cowls in and yours will be going out this week.
It is getting hard to deal with them as they want to go from 10 to 50pcs. For ME, a small pop shop, disabled vet. it gets into money! I order parts for people and do not ask for money up front, Maybe I should change that??? They have also raised the oleo struts from 5 to 50pcs. This is hard for me to do as its, Again... Only ME. If you wish to cut me up, that is your right... But, I have been trying and bending over backwards to help EVERY customer I have or had. I was gone to Toledo for a couple weeks as it took some time for me to get back as I have to have someone drive for me. I am sorry you feel the way you do towards me, All I can do is try and do my best for you and every other customer UNTIL they are happy! That's all I try to do..
Gerry
One thing I was told years ago that I still TRY and do:
"Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value."
~Albert Einstein
You might know that things work different over there and I know this also, As I have spent a lot of time over there. They are wanting to change the minimum order amount. I got a couple of 30cc cowls in and yours will be going out this week.
It is getting hard to deal with them as they want to go from 10 to 50pcs. For ME, a small pop shop, disabled vet. it gets into money! I order parts for people and do not ask for money up front, Maybe I should change that??? They have also raised the oleo struts from 5 to 50pcs. This is hard for me to do as its, Again... Only ME. If you wish to cut me up, that is your right... But, I have been trying and bending over backwards to help EVERY customer I have or had. I was gone to Toledo for a couple weeks as it took some time for me to get back as I have to have someone drive for me. I am sorry you feel the way you do towards me, All I can do is try and do my best for you and every other customer UNTIL they are happy! That's all I try to do..
Gerry
One thing I was told years ago that I still TRY and do:
"Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value."
~Albert Einstein
Hmmm... interesting. These are made by one manufacturer and anyone willing to buy a container of them can be a distributor. The people distributing them typically can't ask for manufacturing changes. Once the distributor gets them they can swap out things like hardware and wing tubes. I guess they could have them swapped before they ship from China but I doubt it... If he is having problems with the manufacturer that sounds bad for us the distributors customers. Things are done a bit differently in China manufacturing. A couple pages back I asked Gerry point blank not to promise if he can't deliver. This was after he said he shipped a new cowl then came back two weeks later after I said I never got it and said he had to order it... Since it flys I'd like it to look nice.
#211
That is very good news Gerry, I will be happy to sing your praises once I get a new cowl. Since she is now flying I've put the stickers on and changed the tail wheel set up. Can't wait to get some more flights on her. She really is impressive in the air.
My post was to say that we in the western world do business differently than the Chinese, unfortunately that is our situation and you are in the middle.
Please don't take what I say as a personal attack, it wasn't and isn't. Thank you for your service from another disabled vet (Me, also retired U.S. Navy) and as I said it is difficult dealing with China and I do wish you success in doing so.
Patiently awaiting the new cowl.
My post was to say that we in the western world do business differently than the Chinese, unfortunately that is our situation and you are in the middle.
Please don't take what I say as a personal attack, it wasn't and isn't. Thank you for your service from another disabled vet (Me, also retired U.S. Navy) and as I said it is difficult dealing with China and I do wish you success in doing so.
Patiently awaiting the new cowl.
#217
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Did anyone else have tight wheels? Mine barely spin on the 'axle'. I cant pull the wheel off w/o breaking the pant. How are you guys replacing the wheels?? I'm considering dremeling off the 'axle' and putting a Dubro EZ Axle on...but that would also require me to dremel off a portion of the 2nd wire thats braised/soldered to the long one. Oy! Help please!
Evan, check your pm.
Evan, check your pm.
#220
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Had a busy time at work lately, so hadn't had a chance to finish this bird. Finally nearing the end of the wheelpants/landing gear issue. Have both left and right access hatches cut, former bent 'axle' removed and ply reinforcement cage to secure the wire in position. I used string for the flying wires to see where I needed to cut slots in the pant for the wire to attach to my wood block inside. Am putting DuBro axles on the end and got 3.5" wheels to give just a little more clearance on grass. Initially got the DuBro wheels, but they were too fat since they need to clear the wood & screws. Found Dave Brown 3.5" wheels are less than an inch thick. Hopefully they will hold up ok.
Also was very unsatisfied with the gap between the leading edge and wheelpant. The shape of the whole end of the pant just doesnt match well the curve of the wing no matter where it's positioned forward/backward. I decided to put a filler piece in the forward portion and sand it to shape, which was easier said than done! At least its closer now and fills the forward hole. I'll coat it with thinned epoxy or maybe a little fiberglass and paint to match.
Also was very unsatisfied with the gap between the leading edge and wheelpant. The shape of the whole end of the pant just doesnt match well the curve of the wing no matter where it's positioned forward/backward. I decided to put a filler piece in the forward portion and sand it to shape, which was easier said than done! At least its closer now and fills the forward hole. I'll coat it with thinned epoxy or maybe a little fiberglass and paint to match.
#222
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Ohh cmon, if I had it on the wrong side, the pointy trailing edge of the pant would be forward. :P I'm guessing you havent heard of this issue because most will just live with it. If I slid the pant back a little, it wasnt quite as bad, but I didn't mark the wire location with the pant back before making my wood cage, so it is where it is.
Any possibility of getting my Oleos in, Gerry?
Any possibility of getting my Oleos in, Gerry?
#224
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Did anyone drill access holes in the cowl to get to the engine needle adjustment screws? Or did you just get it tuned before attaching the cowl, and simply remove it if it needs tweaking?