Hi guys.
I purchased a Kyosho Gee Bee as my 3rd plane about 5 months back.
I dont think I was ready for it. I put a Saito 72 on it and Im pretty sure the CG was off.
On my maiden, it took off after about 10 feet and shot straight up. I should have applied down elevator and got some airspeed going but due to my inexperience, I just throttled forward and tried to punch my way out. Unfortunately it never recovered. I hovered for about 15 seconds, until it finally snapped and fell straight down.
After that experience I decided to put the Gee Bee off until later.
Its been some time since then, and 4 planes since then also no crashes or damage to any of them, the latest being a Kyosho CAP 232 which Ive been flying without any problems for a couple of months now.
I want to fly the Gee Bee again. Its something Ive always wanted to fly since I got in this hobby.
I feel ready to do so, but I need you guys' opinion and input.
I know the CG is VERY important,
I plan to use a YS 63 mounted about 5mm forward of the original mounting spot and put all the radio gear and batteries as far forward as possible, and set the CG at 65mm or so.
I guess the real question is... Am I ready for it?
How different is landing Cap 232's compared to a properly set up Gee Bee?
I dont have problems flying and/or landing in winds and/or crosswinds.
I feel like I wont have much of a problem flying or landing this thing...
ANy opinions/comments would be appreciated.

I've had one for a couple years, and have only flown it a few times. It is a tricky plan to land, and you definately need to have the C.G. where it asks for, or even slightly forward. I have all my radio gear as far forward as possilbe, and it still needed an O.S. .91 FX worth of weight to get it to C.G. perfect, so thats what I used. Flies great, but landing is tricky, and very difficult if you are in dead stick. I don't think there is enough wheel showing below the wheel pants and the pants tend to grab the grass and it likes to flip over. Also, I've had problems with the Landing gear blocks in the wing coming loose.

I still like the plane, just don't fly it much, because it is tough to land, and I consider myself a pretty competent flier. I would appreciate any tips also.

OK you guys, here's the tip. "Hang it up". I get about two flights and realise it's just not fun to fly. Both times it flips over [ and I land smooth too] It's a typical Gee Bee. Too short coupled to be stable. I installed a rear brace on the main gear and it did stiffen it up quite a bit. Using a ST .61 with a Pitts Muffler. $50 to replace cowl, $80 to replace wheel pants. I was pretty stupid to buy it in the first place. So it hangs up all rebuilt to new and just stays there in the basement. Hellava lot a money wasted [ about $500 total] Nobody would even want it when I put it in the LHS for sale at a lower price. And then to catch hell from the wife for making a bad investment. NO MORE KYOYSHO's. Nuff said, MM[]

I love to see mine fly. landing is another story. I fly from a hard surface so flipping over is not a problem. Soft gear wire is the biggest problem. If the wind is straight down the runway it's OK. Cross wind is another story. The rudder is useless at landing speed. So to make the rudder effective you have to come in a little hotter. then the gear flexes back from the faster ground speed. I have learned not to fly in a cross wind. It's a real shame though. This is one of the best looking planes in the air I have seen.



David

I loved to fly mine. I'm having flash backs to last yr when at the field my landing gear / wheels got caught up in the grass and it did a 360% flip. I check it all over and all seemed well and fueled it back up for my next flight... Unknowne to me the battery had come loose and went to the rear of the plane.. Now it was totally tail heavy. Just like the first post mine took of then went straight up. I knew instantly what was wrong. I leveled it a litte, but continued to climb. I got it way up in the air, but everytime I touched the elevator or alerons to make a move it would snap over and dive. Lucky I had a saito 82a in mine which saved me. After about 4 dives which scared the bejesus out of me I figured to just used rudder only to bring it around and used throttle control to bring it in. After about 4 attempts I finally got it low enough where i forced it down. It slamed down from about 2 feet and broke up the wheel pants pretty bad.

For sure the balance for CG has to be a little forward of the recommended spot. and keep the throws down. It doesn't take near as much as you might think. I love mine and will continue to fly it...

If any of you guys want to sell your's, let me know I need a set a wheel pants. and will buy the whole plane for the right price.. Don't need the motor or servos.

Thanks

Bull, Your saying it's cheaper to buy someone else's Gee Bee than to order a new set of pants from Tower ? Ooo-- Kkk. Re-read my post. I don't know what to do with my Gee Bee. It's just as bad as a new diamond ring for the wife, very expensive and totally useless. MM[&o]

If you are interested in selling give me a price. I can buy a new one for a little under $200 from tower. Don't need the electronics or motor. Let me know.