33% Gee Bee Hostetler Build
05-23-2011, 09:36 AM
#101
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RE: 33% Gee Bee Hostetler Build
I somehow capped the leading edge of the stab with a balsa stick and sanded it to shape. To do this, the stab core needs to be cut back from the leading edge about 1/4 inch. Could not figure out how to sheet the elevator leading edge either and used a balsa block on it. I also cut many lightening holes in that fuse box near the tail to try and save weight.
Just maidened my Great Planes Gee Bee and it flew great. I was extremely surprised at how easy it was to land. Am dragging out the Hostetler later this week and am getting it ready. Want to double check everything.
Just maidened my Great Planes Gee Bee and it flew great. I was extremely surprised at how easy it was to land. Am dragging out the Hostetler later this week and am getting it ready. Want to double check everything.
05-23-2011, 11:31 AM
#102
Join Date: Apr 2011
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RE: 33% Gee Bee Hostetler Build
congrats on the flight!! im to fay away to think of that. im relearning on my cub. its been 20+ years since ive flown. thanks for the tip on the leading edge. im going to use youridea. only way i can see it being done.
06-05-2011, 09:51 AM
#103
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RE: 33% Gee Bee Hostetler Build
heres a little update. ive been busy on the gee bee. the biggest pain was getting the fuselage box square. took some time . heres advice to any builders of this kit. do not use wood glue to put FA parts together. my seams split when it curved. had to redo it with epoxy. anyway here are some pics. the stab. is being sheeted so i can get that in there this week . 1 question. i have some wood that says tank floor. were does that go? anyone have pictures of the lower hatch area?
06-11-2011, 02:13 PM
#106
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RE: 33% Gee Bee Hostetler Build
Looks like your making good progress, Robkamm. You will be able to make a scale static prop from the big one. I put my FA parts together with CA, glad I did not use wood glue. Here are some pics of my bottom hatch area, hope they help at least a little.
Everything is getting moved up against the firewall of my Hostetler Gee Bee and the engine is getting moved forward. I refuse to add dead weight to an airplane to balance it.
Everything is getting moved up against the firewall of my Hostetler Gee Bee and the engine is getting moved forward. I refuse to add dead weight to an airplane to balance it.
06-12-2011, 07:48 PM
#107
Senior Member
RE: 33% Gee Bee Hostetler Build
ORIGINAL: RichardGee
“Although these airplanes were noble experiments, Jimmy (Doolittle) and I both considered they were too hot for anybody to handle. We believed that we had used up a considerable portion of our earthly share of luck. We never even sat in them again. We really didn’t consider ourselves any more skillful than the boys who later crashed these jobs. Our guardian angels had just stood by us in our hour of need.â€
- Lee Gehlbach, Air Trails, 1939
“Although these airplanes were noble experiments, Jimmy (Doolittle) and I both considered they were too hot for anybody to handle. We believed that we had used up a considerable portion of our earthly share of luck. We never even sat in them again. We really didn’t consider ourselves any more skillful than the boys who later crashed these jobs. Our guardian angels had just stood by us in our hour of need.â€
- Lee Gehlbach, Air Trails, 1939
06-13-2011, 04:24 AM
#108
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RE: 33% Gee Bee Hostetler Build
thanks for the hatch pics. i see you mounted your servos in there. the plans call for them being mounted all the way under the cockpit area. seems like a tail heavy place for them. this weekend i was busy on the barrel. got 90% of the stringers on now. got the stab sheeted and installed on the air frame. this week im hoping to get the wing parts of the fuselage done. the plane build fast once you get it all figured out. it feels really light for all its size. pics on the way tommarow. sorry forgot the camera at home.I think i have to steal my kids table because my buils table is now to high. the tail is in the floor joists of the ceiling!! anyone have plans to make the landing gear? i enjoy metalworking and have the tools to do it.( welders and cutting equipment )
06-14-2011, 02:27 AM
#109
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RE: 33% Gee Bee Hostetler Build
I would be very interested in the landing gear build. I have the plans for this plane and would love to build it, the gear is a huge expense as I see it.
06-14-2011, 06:57 AM
#112
RE: 33% Gee Bee Hostetler Build
Here's a photo of the gear I built for a 33% Gee Bee Z. Here's the model also. Making this type of gear really isn't a big deal. Just take it one step at a time.
400.00 for the gear!! I've tried to get a foolish 700.00 for both the gear AND the framed model!!.
No interest.
400.00 for the gear!! I've tried to get a foolish 700.00 for both the gear AND the framed model!!.
No interest.
08-26-2011, 09:01 PM
#114
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RE: 33% Gee Bee Hostetler Build
Any updates on the Gee Bee?? My first flight went off finally. It kept flopping into knife edge and I believe that my fuel tank throws the CG off way to far forward. It balances at 18.6% empty but at 14.9% with a full tank.
I believe that the fuel tank must be positioned over the CG. Kind of exciting flying final trying to keep it from going into knife edge. Am going to tear back into it and move the tank. The Hostetler Gee Bee flat out moves, probably 100+mph at 3/4 throttle, and the 3w-157 is plenty of power.
I believe that the fuel tank must be positioned over the CG. Kind of exciting flying final trying to keep it from going into knife edge. Am going to tear back into it and move the tank. The Hostetler Gee Bee flat out moves, probably 100+mph at 3/4 throttle, and the 3w-157 is plenty of power.
08-27-2011, 10:01 AM
#115
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RE: 33% Gee Bee Hostetler Build
between work being busy and all my other hobbies are taking my free time away from the gee bee. family stuff during the summer eats away at build time.. my other hobbies have been going great though. the gee bee is ready to be sheeted. all parts are framed and built.it will be done this winter for sure. (yea right)
08-27-2011, 10:40 AM
#116
RE: 33% Gee Bee Hostetler Build
Fuel tank not directly over CG is a no-no... you have enough to worry about w/o a dynamic CG[X(]
Would like more detail on the "flopping over onto knife edge" ?? Not really understanding this as I have never had a GeeBee do this on its own.
What prop are you spinning on the 3W157CS? What was the final weight of the plane? Would love to see video
Would like more detail on the "flopping over onto knife edge" ?? Not really understanding this as I have never had a GeeBee do this on its own.
What prop are you spinning on the 3W157CS? What was the final weight of the plane? Would love to see video
08-27-2011, 12:09 PM
#117
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RE: 33% Gee Bee Hostetler Build
Richard, Am spinning a 32 x 12 prop and the final weight is 39 pounds. I have about 2.2 degrees right thrust and zero down thrust. Every time you try to turn the Gee Bee (even with rudder only) it falls into a knife edge. Takes a ton of elevator and rudder to force it out of knife edge. It also flys more like a missile than anything else.
Am hoping to get some video soon. The biggest problem will be me trying to get it onto youtube but I should be able to figure it out.
Am hoping to get some video soon. The biggest problem will be me trying to get it onto youtube but I should be able to figure it out.
08-27-2011, 12:50 PM
#118
RE: 33% Gee Bee Hostetler Build
Well... you are depressing me...[
] I was very hopeful the Hostetler would be heads and shoulders better than the CARF, but from your description, maybe not.
The 2 deg. right thrust sounds right as does 0 deg. down thrust.
All 3 of my R2s had the strange characteristic of pitching down with any rudder input, L or R. Is that what yours is doing?
The tendency to knife edge has me baffled[X(] That just doesn't sound like something I have experienced. I would agree that once banked, the Gee Bee requires a substantial elevator input to come around as it seems to just want to keep flying straight when in knife edge.
The CARF has both engine right thrust and right fin molded in, so when banked left, tends to want to climb, and visa versa.
How was the landing?
] I was very hopeful the Hostetler would be heads and shoulders better than the CARF, but from your description, maybe not.The 2 deg. right thrust sounds right as does 0 deg. down thrust.
All 3 of my R2s had the strange characteristic of pitching down with any rudder input, L or R. Is that what yours is doing?
The tendency to knife edge has me baffled[X(] That just doesn't sound like something I have experienced. I would agree that once banked, the Gee Bee requires a substantial elevator input to come around as it seems to just want to keep flying straight when in knife edge.
The CARF has both engine right thrust and right fin molded in, so when banked left, tends to want to climb, and visa versa.
How was the landing?
08-27-2011, 02:18 PM
#119
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RE: 33% Gee Bee Hostetler Build
Don't get depressed Richard, I am presently making some adjustments and will report back hopefully with a video. Will probably go to a 32 ounce tank as well rather than the 50 ounce tank in there now. My belief is that it should actually fly better than my Great Planes Gee Bee and not worse. Have never seen a CARF Gee Bee in flight in person so I have no way of comparing except by the videos.
I should mention that it was very windy on its maiden voyage but that is not it. It is just flying like it is exceptionally nose heavy, which really shows on landing.
Mine pitches down with rudder also. And the landing could have been much better. How well does the CARF Gee Bee fly inverted with the right fin offset?? We just had a debate at the field about that and I was just wondering.
I should mention that it was very windy on its maiden voyage but that is not it. It is just flying like it is exceptionally nose heavy, which really shows on landing.
Mine pitches down with rudder also. And the landing could have been much better. How well does the CARF Gee Bee fly inverted with the right fin offset?? We just had a debate at the field about that and I was just wondering.
08-29-2011, 06:22 AM
#121
RE: 33% Gee Bee Hostetler Build
In all my CARF Gee Bee flights, I have only done ONE inverted fly by... I remember being rather alarmed at the amount of DOWN elevator required and have not done another one since.
I do not remember the right fin offset having any more or less influence on the plane inverted.
Because the CARF uses a scale modified (12%) M6 reflex airfoil and the molded in right fin, I was very hopeful the thicker wing and zero offset fin of the Hostetler would translate to superior handling... Well, perhaps some more trimming will get you there...
A 40 ounce tank is what I run with my 3W157 and it is ample fuel. Shoot for a CG of 17-18% with your tank center directly over CG.
How do you like the Sierra gear? What are you using for a TW set up?
I do not remember the right fin offset having any more or less influence on the plane inverted.
Because the CARF uses a scale modified (12%) M6 reflex airfoil and the molded in right fin, I was very hopeful the thicker wing and zero offset fin of the Hostetler would translate to superior handling... Well, perhaps some more trimming will get you there...
A 40 ounce tank is what I run with my 3W157 and it is ample fuel. Shoot for a CG of 17-18% with your tank center directly over CG.
How do you like the Sierra gear? What are you using for a TW set up?
08-29-2011, 09:52 AM
#122
My Feedback: (8)
RE: 33% Gee Bee Hostetler Build
Thanks for your advice. The tailwheel is just a heavy duty nose gear unit with a slight bend in it. The Sierra gear work just great but I did have Sierra send much thicker springs along because the old ones were too weak. He kindly shipped me new ones at no charge.
The CARF Gee Bee sure lands hot from the videos. Reminds me of my old ducted fan jets. It is worth mentioning that the Hostetler lands very very slow, probably the only thing that saved me as I was having much trouble keeping it under control and lined up with the runway.
Have found a way to shave about 1 pound or more from the big Gee Bee easily. Will work on that this week if work allows. Thanks once again for your advice.
The CARF Gee Bee sure lands hot from the videos. Reminds me of my old ducted fan jets. It is worth mentioning that the Hostetler lands very very slow, probably the only thing that saved me as I was having much trouble keeping it under control and lined up with the runway.
Have found a way to shave about 1 pound or more from the big Gee Bee easily. Will work on that this week if work allows. Thanks once again for your advice.
09-06-2011, 02:47 PM
#123
RE: 33% Gee Bee Hostetler Build
If anyone is looking for a Sierra Gear for the Gee Bee I have one for sale.. I know this is not the right category for selling items but it being a GeeBee specific item and all, if someone needs one i have it.. Here is the comparison side by side to the C-Arf..
PS>> IT appears that this gear has been shortened to fit the C-Arf parameters.. The gear could be lengthend by putting a 1/4" music wire joiner to lengthen the tubes back out.. Because of the alteration and not having any wheels I will let them go cheap compared to what Sierra gets for them..
PM me for more info...
Rick
PS>> IT appears that this gear has been shortened to fit the C-Arf parameters.. The gear could be lengthend by putting a 1/4" music wire joiner to lengthen the tubes back out.. Because of the alteration and not having any wheels I will let them go cheap compared to what Sierra gets for them..
PM me for more info...
Rick