I need to know what Peoples finished weights are for a Speedy Bee.
Mine came out @ 54oz. The "typical weight" is @ 42oz.
I know I can shave off maybe 4-5 oz. I also have a (heavy) .25magnum on the nose w/ a 600 mah pack. I would like to leave both those on board.
How heavy can a Speedy Bee be, and still fly slow-n-low?
And or insight on what to expect?
Please any replies will be appreciated.

Is it balanced with the engine? Why don't you try to fly it like it is, and if it is too heavy, you can make it lighter.

Yes it is balanced w/ the engine. However I was going to use standard servos for rudder and elevator. If I switch to mini's I will be nose heavy. The rest of the weight, IE:battery and receiver, is located center of wing. I can't really move them any further back.

The standards seemed to off-set the larger motor. Switching the 2 servos could save 3.5oz's but then I will most likely need to add weight to tail to balance that motor out. Also using a .25 is a 5 oz increase over a .15. Thats twice the engine weight. Clancy says the .25 is in the Speedy Bees flight envelope I just did'nt realize how much heavier it was.
When you overpower a model are you sacrificing slower flight speed for a lead sled?

Mine is 43oz with 4 HS-81 servo's, 600mah battery, but a relatively heavy Saito .30 Four Stroke on it. It's covered in Ultracote.

I haven't had a chance to fly it yet, but everything I've seen says it will still fly very well/slowly at that weight. With the wing area it has, I think you will probably be fine, but I can't offer much more than that.

I'm sure it will fly, it will just have a higher landing speed/higher stall speed, but you won't have a lack of power with the .25 two stroke.

I'd probably go ahead and try it like it is, the only easy changes would be to go to a 250mah battery and smaller servos...perhaps lighter wheels (not knowing what you have already).

Good luck, let us know how it flies!

Mars......we have written back and forth with in the past discussing the Speedy bee. My last Speedy Bee weighed 4lbs with a FS 40 in it. It was too heavy and flew like a rock. I then dropped in the LA 25 and she flew great untill some guy chopped me out of the sky! The 15 in my opinion is the best for flopping around in the sky....flying slow.....and having a blast. The 25 for me kept me on my toes. Don't get me wrong......it will slow up but that little extra weight does make a difference and I also used Monocoat which added even more weight.

It seems that the more thrust that you have the touchier the Bee is. There is a lot of square inches on that elevator. When I was first flying my newest one, my rates were too high and I thought I was going to have a heart attack!!!! UP and DOWN ect......ect....like riding a roller coaster. I slowed it down......brought it in and decreased the throw by 40% and it was perfect. Until it's untimely death.

My Lazy Bee is in my opinion.......a lot more fun that the Speedy Bee. I thought I would ever see the day when I would admit such a thing but it is the truth! More stable in the air. I mounted a LA 25 on her and it is a lot of fun! Loops, rolls, flying backwards in the wind.....hanging on the prop.......and bounces like a monster truck when she lands! Too much fun!

Dave

Cool..Thanks for the input!
4lbs=64oz And going to a .25 probably shaved like 10 oz I bet. Which would put you at my weight. Maybe....That makes me feel better. You said it was flying great before the midair right?
The maiden is on hold till I figure out what I'm going to do. I think I'm going to put to mini servos in for elevator, and rudder. I still want to put a pull-pull on the rudder. I'm not going to replace the motor, I will have to add tail weight somehow. Is there a type of small lead nail weight for planes?

If I am not mistaken......Dubro or someone like that has lead plates with braking lines on it so you can break off what you need. Just simply drill a hole in the lead and screw it into the wood. My first Speedy Bee I had the battery all the way in the nose for the correct CG. My second one ....my master piece or pieces!!!!!!!, I used the weight of the mini servos mounted near the tail feathers to ensure propper CG. What I like to do is to NOT add weight but to RE-ARRANGE everything for the CG. Look at the photo below. You can see the servos sticking out the side. I like this design. I have big hands and it was a real pain for me to get to the servos on the first one. This fall.....I will make anothe Speedy Bee from scratch. I will use a 25 in it. Probably a Magnum two stroke. I understand that they are light, dependable and they scream! I will try one out. Four stokes are heavy for Bees in my opinion. I ahve finally realized what really works on these crazy things!

Dave

Another shot........Before covering......you can see the servo mounts for the rudder and elevator.