This is a healthy post! It will take a while to take it all in. If anyone can summarize... If I'm not an expert, I need the robarts landing gear?

Engines that I'm currently looking at

Saito 150 2.5hp 30oz
os 160 fx 3.7hp 32.8oz
Mark 1.35 3.4hp 30oz
Enya 1.80 3.8 45.5 oz

Any suggestions?

The hinges were missing from my kit, so I'm off to a slow start. Off to the local store tomorrow...

Thanks for any advice. Maybe I should just part it out? anyone need any parts?

Anyone happy with this model?

Thanks
:~)

If you are a bit new to all of this the Robarts may be the easiest for you to use.

Just because you were missing hinges?

Hinges are about the easiest things to replace, as GP, Dubro, etc. all sell replacements which are easy to get a hold of.
Most people don't bother with stock ARF hinges anyway, so you may be ahead of the game on this.

If you find that the lack of hinges causes you this much worry, you may want to obtain help from someone a bit more experienced.

They will be able to give you pointers when putting together your plane, that will make the whole thing easier and better.

Aagh... I can get hinges, actually can't believe I don't have any here. It's just a trip to get to the nearest shop. I was just wanting to get started tonight... firs step hinges! I've just seen a lot here about landing gear and problems landing. Kind of wish I'd read this before the purchase.

dc

It's really NOT a beginners or even intermediate pilot's plane, for the reasons you've stated.

I also saw a post in here about someone getting a more detailed "dummy" engine. I kind of wanted to put a two stroke in this, but I think the four stroke would look better. I've spent quite a bit of time looking in past post for the upgraded dummy, does anyone know where to find it?

It depends upon how far you want to go.

The included plastic can be made to look fairly good with a little work...

But you can always improve on this...

e.g.

[link=http://www.southeastrc.com/Items/StdItemView.aspx?lookup=GPMA2806]Good[/link]
[link=http://www.franktiano.com/scaleproductFrameset.htm]Better[/link]
or

[link=http://www.williamsbrothersmodelproducts.com/rc.html]Insanely detailed[/link]

Everyone raves the way it flys....

It is just diffcult to land.

Justin

Thanks for the links to the dummy engines. That's cool. How does it effect the aerodynamics with the dummy engine opened up? Also about the landing, has anyone tried with flapperon settings?

The presence or lack of the dummy radial has little effect on the aerodynamics.

Flaperons are not necessary as the plane slows down quickly as is.

The problem with landings is that it tends to either bounce ( airspeed too high ) or nose over, especially when you hit or land on grass.

So you need to keep up elevator until the plane comes to a stop. Not quite as easy as it sounds.

Thanks for the info. I thought flaps were to increase the lift of the wing so the plane would actually "fly" at lower speeds to avoid a "tip" stall. I've never had a problem slowing one down, just slowing it down too much! That has to be the most frustrating crash... nice approach slow down, and crash from 3' above the runway.

So, you just fly the GeeBee down to about 6" at the far end of the runway and cut the throttle? Easier said than done. (I'm looking forward to it.)

Maybe I should wait for the detailed "dummy" until I land it a few times.

I'd like to hear if anyone has 20 flights on this plane?

Thanks for the help!

Davcos,

I have at least 250 flights on my Gee Bee. I'm the one who put tricycle gear on it to stop it from flipping over. After about 25 landings or so, I got good enough to take the training wheel off ( put it back to original configuration). It hasn't been on it's back since. In my opinion, the best landing technique (pavement or grass) is a slow steep approach. This may sound crazy, but it has worked for me for many successful landings. The most important of all advice I can pass on for success is that the plane has to be 100% straight at touchdown. The gear legs stick so far out in front , that it makes them susceptible to twisting, causing them to trip over themselves, ending up on its back. I hope this helps. Good luck. This is truly a fun airplane to fly.

Thanks for the advice! I've always been a GeeBee fan since childhood. This is going to be great! We should start a GeeBee forum! Just reading the history of the Granville Brothers and their planes and their history is amazing!

Anyway, I have about a thousand foot, concrete runway to try to land on, so I should be fine. The concrete can be a little abrasive though... and has caused some "grinding" problems on my other planes. Fiberglass should do well. It does have a tendency for crosswind, so I'll have to pick the day. I can always take the Kangke out for crosswinds..

http://www.geosurv.com/costner/monocoupe_90a.htm


dirtydingus,

This is the post I was looking for... you're in the GeeBee Club (250 flights) in my book! I guess I was just looking for assurance that this plane would go the distance with someone who was committed. You are committed, and so am I! I'm going to build this up nice and, hopefully, fly it a lot! I'd also like one of the Pacific Aeromodel's GB y's. Maybe next year.

This is a great forum, I've not figured it out completely, but seems a little hard to find information right now. I'll probably figure that out before the Gee Bee!

Additional "lift" is generated if the flaps act to change the airfoil shape or add to it, as with split or fowler flaps.

You are talking about a flaperons, which will primarily increase drag... further slowing the plane down.

The plane doesn't really need this, as it stops quickly due to the fuselage shape.

The high angle landing technique is probably the best approach, and be ready to hold the elevator up. You'll be varying the amount of backpressure once it's down.

If you should transition to another surface, such as grass, hold the elevator fully deflected to avoid noseover.

You will find the the elevator becomes canceled at low airspeed because of the fat fuse before the plane actually will tip stall.. Most of the failed landings you will run across with the GB are when people try to glide them in too flat and lose airspeed.When the elevator becomes canceled you will find yourself buried full up elevator and the plane thudding in on the mains then onto the nose and over on it's back.. If you can get used to the delayed reaction on landing from the elevator inputs you will have no problems. It is easy to get into the rollercoaster, balloning up and down. This is a short coupled high wing loaded aircraft and must be flown as such. I have around 50 or so flights on mine and it has been a learning curve, but a fun one... I have an OS1.6FX with an 18X8W APC.. The plane balanced as per plans. It slow rolls and point rolls with no rudder coupling on a string.. Tracks like a pattern plane in the air..

Take your time with it and if there is the slightest cross wind leave it parked.. Cross wind is you enemy...

Rick

Rick,

Thanks for the input, I really appreciate it. I know this thread has been going for a long time, and it's nice that people like you are still checking in on it to help out. What elevation are you flying at? Our field is near Golden, CO and is about 6000 feet. I'm thinking that the elevation here will not make things any easier. Also, I've been considering the os1.6fx engine. How has that worked for you? A little extra power doesn't hurt at elevation either. Did you install the dummy engine?

Thanks,
Dave C

so you basically drop it down like a HElicopter?
Fly in on in and just drop it!......

Are you saying that if you take a long approach, and slowing bring in down you will loose it? Or you will have controll, it is just delayed?

THanks
Justin

If you truly want gas, go with the Evolution or MVVS 26. If you want to go fast, save some money and go with Super Tigre 2300 ($150 Tower Hobbies).

As the plane slows down the fuselage acts as a wind break. This results in reduced and finally almost NO control over the elevator some time before the wings actually stall out.

At a slightly faster speed the air will follow the fuse back to the tail, giving you control.

What he is saying is that you come in a bit hotter, and at a steeper angle, then once over the threshold, bring down the throttle while holding it just over the runway until the plane settles in. This will be a steeper decent under power than what is normally done.

Typically with a steep decent you chop the throttle. In this case you don't want to. You need some power on.

Thank you for the detailed responce.... of the landing sequence...

Justin

How much longer do you guys thing that Great Planes will continue making this model, seeing as they periodically phase out them out after a while? I would love to buy this plane, but I'm in college right now and short on cash. The soonest I could buy would be sometime next year.

Hi Everyone, Well I have been flying for 20 years and after reading all these post am a little nervous to fly my bee. The GP model is in my opinion one of there best arfs. I am using a OS-120 pump, Mcdaniel glow system, sullivan metal horns, elektrotek super rocker and plate system. My model weighs in at 12.1 pounds. I will maiden her on a asphalt runway till I get used to the landings. I drilled holes on the outer edge of the dummy engine (one above each cylinder 1/4 in) to allow some airflow through it along with the large cutout for the 120, I will keep you posted if it makes a difference on flight characteristics. Steve

I had the same set up, OS 120 & onboard. Very easy to take off, very easy to find the edge of the flight envelope. Stay away from crosswind situations. That downwind wing will stop flying in a heartbeat. Practice lots of touch and goes.

The best mod would be to make trike setup seen earlier in this thread. It does like to tumble over its nose. I also cut 3/4 inch around the bottom of the wheel pants to keep them from snagging on our grass runway.

So, what's the most difficult plane that you have flown?

Thanx splatter, I will fly her on her maiden voyage without the pants. I live in MIch so I have to wait for a month or so for this weather to break. I almost have the flying wires done and when finished I will upload a few pics, It does not look any different from the other bees but I like everyone else want to show her off a little. Steve

Hi Davcos, I think the most challenging plane I ever flew was a great plane VENUS 40 - This thing was very touchy no matter where you put the CG. It woke me up whenever I flew it (snapped all the time - but made it fun). Finally sold her and baught a GP extra 300. I will have it built probably buy july. My other plane are a GP U-CAN-DO 60 and 46 size, also a couple of eflite electrics - nothing to brag about - Steve