RE: Composite-Arf 33% Gee Bee R2 - First Flight - Pics - Videos - L@@K  
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Tower Hobbies
Enter up to 4 keywords or Tower stock numbers
Logged in as Guest



Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
More Resources on the
Gee Bee R2 ARF - 4.8
  • See User Ratings
  • Suggest Compatible Equip.
  • Check for Retailers
  • Discussions on this Product


    • All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic >> RE: Composite-Arf 33% Gee Bee R2 - First Flight - Pics - Videos - L@@K
    Page: <<   < prev  4 5 6 [7] 8 9 10 11 12 13   next >   >>  

    Login
    Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
    RE: Composite-Arf 33% Gee Bee R2 - First Flight - ... - 5/17/2008 4:17:29 AM   
    dwr


     

    Posts: 225
    Joined: 10/29/2004
    From: ft.myers, FL, USA
    Status: offline     		Jim, thankx for the measurement. I'll use that. Any weight forward will help. And you are having great results with your landings. Sounds pretty forgiving. I am stumped regarding the plane's action in hard turns. Have you tried taking a little of the right rudder/throttle coupling out? And are the elevator halves exactly together with the same linkage play? Also I have seen servoes that look OK when on the ground with little load but offer different resistence when you grab the control surface and apply some pressure.

    Richard thanks for the pics. The cowl on this monster aint gonna be fun. But it is time to get going on it. This actually forced me to clean up and reorganize the shop a little. I'm also in the middle of a Ziroli B25 project so I had to move some things around. I have also removed all the goodies from the 36% 3W Extra. Anybody need a good Extra?

    I'll keep you posted on my progress but I'm no ball of fire. It will likely take me a couple months. There is a lot to do on this so called ARF. But hey, if it was easy everyone would have one right?

    DWR.

    (in reply to dirtydingus)
           Post #: 151

    RE: Composite-Arf 33% Gee Bee R2 - First Flight -... - 5/17/2008 4:23:28 AM   
    dwr


     

    Posts: 225
    Joined: 10/29/2004
    From: ft.myers, FL, USA
    Status: offline     		Perry, hello out there in NM. Did you get that radial yet? DWR.

    < Message edited by dwr -- 5/17/2008 4:31:14 AM >

    (in reply to PTS)
           Post #: 152

    RE: Composite-Arf 33% Gee Bee R2 - First Flight -... - 5/17/2008 4:54:40 AM   
    PTS


     

    Posts: 423
    Joined: 10/25/2003
    From: ROSWELL, NM, USA
    Status: offline     		Not for another 4 weeks approximately.

    Perry

    (in reply to dwr)
           Post #: 153

    RE: Composite-Arf 33% Gee Bee R2 - First Flight - ... - 5/17/2008 5:33:09 AM   
    RichardGee



    Posts: 110
    Joined: 10/10/2002
    From: Dixon, CA, USA
    Status: offline     		I too noticed the upper tail former having been installed "crooked" - in reality, it looks to me like they lined it up with the molded in rudder offset, but this does indeed make out of whack with the lower rudder former.
    I ended up drilling new holes, top and bottom to make the rudder hinge fit properly.
    I also broke away the lower rudder hinge mount, as it was WAY off line from the top one, and reglued it in better alignment.
    I had to do additional mods on the upper rudder former to bring the fiberglass fuse into line so that there was a more equal space on either side of the rudder itself.

    If you're beginning to get the idea that this "so-called ARF" is allot of work, well, you got the right idea.
    I am not terribly disappointed because the bottom line is that there is no more accurate Gee Bee R2 on the market - not now, not ever.

    If they could eliminate the seams caused by the molding process, this plane would be near perfect. BUT, as Delmar says, "compromises must be made."

    He also responded - as he was admonished to "be careful" as he entered the Gee Bee for his first flight.... "If I were careful I never would have built a Gee Bee."
    That ALWAYS cracks me up.

    _____________________________

    RC Modeling is for truly talented individuals... for everyone else, there's video games.

    (in reply to dwr)
           Post #: 154

    RE: Composite-Arf 33% Gee Bee R2 - First Flight - ... - 5/17/2008 2:43:54 PM   
    hotrodblazer


     

    Posts: 15
    Joined: 9/10/2006
    From: Nederland, TX, USA
    Status: offline     		I bought my first Fiberclassics Gee Bee in 1999 it was one of the first in the US.This was right after the Joe Nall debut.I spoke with Andreas Gietz the designer of the plane. He told me that two prototypes were lost during testing and development of the model.One had the access hatch open and the other had the engine cowl come loose in flight.So if anyone modifies the mounts just make sure the cowl is secure.This is one plane that is unforgiving and any one mishap can bring it down.
    Well I sold my first one, unbuilt, in 2001.I now have new one sitting in the shop,and I am also moving "stuff' around to be able to make room to start the build.
    I still have my original receipt for the first one from '99, $2300.00! That was one reason why I sold it.The price today is real reasonable, I have more than that in my Trex 450 heli.
    Gee Bees attract and appeal to some people more than others.I just know inside that I wanted to get another one and follow through with it this time.
    Forums like this one that provide support from people like you guys give others the ability to do more easier and safer.Thanks !
    Danny

    (in reply to dwr)
           Post #: 155

    RE: Composite-Arf 33% Gee Bee R2 - First Flight - ... - 5/17/2008 5:21:56 PM   
    dirtydingus


     

    Posts: 67
    Joined: 8/8/2007
    From: west palm beach, FL, USA
    Status: online     		Well guys,
    The Gee Bee bit me today, Flight #73.
    I made a good aproach to the west with a 15 mph wind from the SW, I just touched down at full stall when a gust picked up the left wing and the right tip contacted the ground and over it went. It's first time on it's back. The good news is it was on grass and nothing was broken except for my ego. The fin and both wing tips were scrached but not bad.
    I think if you fly this plane enough times it will get you, but it is a Gee Bee.

    (in reply to hotrodblazer)
           Post #: 156

    RE: Composite-Arf 33% Gee Bee R2 - First Flight - ... - 5/17/2008 7:23:22 PM   
    dwr


     

    Posts: 225
    Joined: 10/29/2004
    From: ft.myers, FL, USA
    Status: offline     		Jim, 72 out of 73 is a darn good score. I used to be happy with 3 out of 4 with the GP GB. And if I left the field with 3 for 3 I felt like I had done something! And I guess the GB hates crosswinds more than most. A 15 MPH quartering crosswind is substantial. Glad the damage was minimal.

    Richard, I think you will agree that everyone should read Delmar's book. It is super. I was lucky enough to see him fly at Oshkosh in 2000. His performance was beyond words. I remember that he did an ultra slooooow roll just off the deck. He started it at one end of the runway, was inverted at center field, and didn't finish the roll untill he was at the far end. In this fat beer keg of an airplane!
    His show, for me , was the best thing I've ever seen at an airshow. He also did some formation flying with a repro Mr. Mulligan that day. Chuck Yeager and Bud Anderson flew P51's in formation that day but Delmar's Gee Bee was the hit of that day's show for me. DWR.

    (in reply to dirtydingus)
           Post #: 157

    RE: Composite-Arf 33% Gee Bee R2 - First Flight - ... - 5/19/2008 3:50:25 AM   
    dwr


     

    Posts: 225
    Joined: 10/29/2004
    From: ft.myers, FL, USA
    Status: offline     		Well barely got it up on the gear and I've got every tool in the joint out already. The short CF pins and thin wing roots really bring home the fact that the flying wires have to be tuned perfectly.
    Very interesting. Jim, after many field assemblies and take downs what do you think of the rigging set up? Have you modified it in any way? DWR

    Attachments
    Click to see fullsize image.
    Click for fullsize

    (in reply to dwr)
           Post #: 158

    RE: Composite-Arf 33% Gee Bee R2 - First Flight - ... - 5/19/2008 12:29:27 PM   
    dirtydingus


     

    Posts: 67
    Joined: 8/8/2007
    From: west palm beach, FL, USA
    Status: online     		DWR,
    Field assembly takes maybe 10 min. Not bad for a plane with functional flying wires.
    The only thing I did was to put brass bushings in the flying wire attach holes in the wings to keep the holes from getting sloppy.
    One other thing I might suggest is to use thin ca or epoxy to strengthen the joints on the flying wire attach blocks in the wing. The glue Comp Arf uses has all the integrity of cake frosting and the rear fittings on both wings came loose. One came loose before I ever flew the plane.

    < Message edited by dirtydingus -- 5/19/2008 1:11:24 PM >

    (in reply to dwr)
           Post #: 159

    RE: Composite-Arf 33% Gee Bee R2 - First Flight - ... - 5/20/2008 12:05:24 AM   
    dwr


     

    Posts: 225
    Joined: 10/29/2004
    From: ft.myers, FL, USA
    Status: offline     		LOL, cake frosting! thats too much. Thankx for the heads up. And I like the idea of using brass tubes in the blocks. I will certainly do that. The fuse lower block they used on mine is too short so I will epoxy a/c ply on both ends. This piece should have been laminated ply I think. I finished the wing root pins job and the new recesses for the gear. Time to tackle the flying wires. DWR

    (in reply to dirtydingus)
           Post #: 160

    RE: Composite-Arf 33% Gee Bee R2 - First Flight -... - 5/20/2008 7:08:48 AM   
    PTS


     

    Posts: 423
    Joined: 10/25/2003
    From: ROSWELL, NM, USA
    Status: offline

    < Message edited by PTS -- 6/24/2008 11:31:16 PM >

    (in reply to dwr)
           Post #: 161

    RE: Composite-Arf 33% Gee Bee R2 - First Flight -... - 5/20/2008 4:59:33 PM   
    hotrodblazer


     

    Posts: 15
    Joined: 9/10/2006
    From: Nederland, TX, USA
    Status: offline     		Hey Perry,hate to see you sell it, but I have been there myself.
    Good luck with the sale, and make sure to direct the buyer to this thread,as we can use the input and maybe help get another one in the air!
    Danny

    (in reply to PTS)
           Post #: 162

    RE: Composite-Arf 33% Gee Bee R2 - First Flight - ... - 5/21/2008 1:30:42 AM   
    RichardGee



    Posts: 110
    Joined: 10/10/2002
    From: Dixon, CA, USA
    Status: offline     		Gents,
    I am posting pictures of my aileron servo mounting and linkage. I decided against anything fancy and opted instead for simple and sturdy.
    The servo mounting areas have 3/8" hardwood rails epoxied to undersides of wing skins and I also installed braces between upper wing skin and lower wing skin/servo mounts to help eliminate wing skin flex due to servo pressures. You'll see what I mean, as far as wing skin 'flex' when you get to this point.
    Rods are 4-40. Sullivan 4-40 Kwik Links w/keepers and jam nuts and Dubro 4-40 Ball Links. These rods are so short, I saw no need to add carbon fiber rod/surround, as I did with elevator rods, which are twice as long.

    Also, see my flying wire hatches. These were cut from 3/32" ply and have been coated with resin, sanded and primered. These will be painted the factory white. 8 are required. Each is secured with two hex screws into the existing wing structure hardwood.

    I am also posting some pix of my finished cowl mounts. After a little sanding and flat black paint, they are quite difficult to see.


    Attachments
    Click to see fullsize image.
    Click for fullsize         		Click to see fullsize image.
    Click for fullsize         		Click to see fullsize image.
    Click for fullsize         		Click to see fullsize image.
    Click for fullsize


    < Message edited by RichardGee -- 5/21/2008 1:35:09 AM >

    _____________________________

    RC Modeling is for truly talented individuals... for everyone else, there's video games.

    (in reply to RichardGee)
           Post #: 163

    RE: Composite-Arf 33% Gee Bee R2 - First Flight - ... - 5/22/2008 12:38:53 AM