KMP Gee Bee
 

Has anyone built and/or flown the Kondor Model Products (KMP) Gee Bee. I like its wing loading and the fiberglass and foam construction but I've not had an opportunity to inspect the kit. I've been burned by another ARF manufacturer so I am wary.
The Great Planes Gee Bee appears to have too much wing load for a grass field.

If you wish to e-mail me direct the address is:[[email protected][/EMAIL]

KMP Gee Bee
 

I would gladly answer all your questions, call me toll free 888-968-7251

Andrew kondor
KMP

RE: KMP Gee Bee
 

I have this kit (ARF) right now and I am building it. I have built five other ARF planes buy Greatplanes / Worldmodels / VMAR / SF / KMP. This kit has the best hardware of all of them and seems to be the best quality of the ones I have built. This one is the most expensive I have baught so far too, so that my have some to do with it. Only complaint I would have is the instruction sheet could be better for newer builders, but if you take your time you can figure it out and I have heard nothing but great things about the owner and how they respond to your questions. If you are looking for a Gee Bee you won't be disappointed in the quality of this one. I'm looking forward to getting another plane from this company by spring. ( I LIVE IN NY ) :( Weather sucks!

RE: KMP Gee Bee
 

I have a KMP Gee Bee. The fiberglass work is very good although the belly pan could use some reinforcement - any time you pick it up by the belly pan, it crushes and cracks the gel coat. The landing gear is very soft and bends very easily and I don't like the way the wheel pants mount - they screw into the foam wing. The wheel pants also have very weak fiberglass - mine split on the seam on the first landing and fell apart (it nosed over). The wheels are foam and are too soft - they get flat spots if you let the plane sit for too long. I used a G-23 and it needed about 8-10 oz of lead in the nose. Total weight was about 11 lbs.

Flight - It taxies nicely and is smooth taking off with no sign of tip stalling but it is touchy in the air. You have to be on the controls all the time in order to keep it tracking straight. Landings, probably like any Gee Bee, are a real pain. The plane noses over on every landing (paved runway). It's a real challenge for me to land it without nosing over. I think on grass, the problem would even be compounded.

Over all, it looks more scale than the Great Planes and the wing loading is lower - but I am staying away from Gee Bees from now on!

RE: KMP Gee Bee
 

Thanks for all the info. I agree about the quality. My wing loading came out to 32.76 ozs. per sq. foot at a total weight of 12 lbs. I have my CG at 3.5". Where's yours set?

Mine will fly as soon as I get the time. I live in southeast Texas so weather isn't that big a problem.

RE: KMP <span class=
 

Have any of you got your GEE BEE in the air? I've been too busy to finish mine... I have a OS 120 FS to put in mine. Someone said something to me about putting some foam in the wheel pants to ease the stress. I really am looking forward to flying this plane...

RE: KMP <span class=
 

Hi Guys:

I'm glad you like the kit.

We are working on a thicker belly pan. The new ones should be ready sometime in Jan or February.

Remember to move the CofG to about 2.75 inches from the leading edge. People who have flown this kit say that it flies extremely well at that spot

Cheers[8D],
Andrew
KMP

Here's a new picture of the KMP Hurricane coming in February (Hopefully Jan.) This one has a 72 inch wingspan and is designed for 1.20 FS power.

RE: KMP <span class=
 

AKONDOR.... I heard rumors you guys might be coming ut with a Twin Engine German type BOMBER? Any Truth to the rumor I heard?