Speedy Bee
 

I'm getting ready to start a Speedy Bee soon. I'm going to put an O.S. 25 in it, HS-81's and probably a standard receiver.

Does anyone have and tips or suggestions on what I should look out for while I'm building this kit? This will actually be my second kit build so I'm still new to this. I've been flying for a few years now so I'm not really new to the hobby, just to building.

Would it be better to balance the plane before I cover it, can you even do that?

I would also like to put 2 servos in for the ailerons if anyone has suggestions on how to make that work.

This looks like a fun lil kit and plane.

Any suggestions or pointers are appreciated.

Thanks.
[8D]

RE: Speedy Bee
 

Salty;
I've now built two Speedy Bees and I'm here to tell you that you are in for a lot of fun with this little plane. :D

As to your concerns;
The first thing that you have to do is THINK LIGHT!!

The Maximum weight of this plane with a gas engine should be about 3.5 lbs, try to keep it to a more reasonable 3 lbs and Andy Clancy likes to see about 2.5 lbs... but the point here is to shave as much weight off of during your building process as possible. Trust me, the less weight the better it will fly!!

One of the key methods is to use very light covering material (no cloth types), don't try to second guess the design and "BEEF IT UP!!" It will work just fine with the material provided (think light). Use enough glue to make it solid but don't pour it on by the gallon.

The engine that you plan to use is a bit on the large side, if you check the instructions they comment that a 25 in a dive can rip the wings off... only use full power on take off. I use a .20 and have lots of power, many are happy with a 15 and there are lots of electric bees out there. Suit yourself but watch your final weight (a recuring theme)

The aileron servos work very well and are much simpler than the bell cranks BUT be sure to use micro servos (think light). All you need to make this work is a 12" "Y" cord.

Balancing of this AC should be done fully covered as the covering represents a significant percentage of the planes's weight. The rudder and elevator servos are one of the key agents in the final balancing, you position them in the Fuse and then check, reposition and recheck. . . until happy.

If you take the time to build this little plane properly it will give you years of fun and excitment.

Happy Landings

Bruce

RE: Speedy Bee
 

Hello; You'll enjoy that plane, I sure did mine. I used a Surpass 26 in mine, and would recommend it. I used Tyvek to cover mine. Tyvek is a vapour barrier that goes on before the siding on a house. It heat shrinks quickly and is vbery strong. I flew mine for 3 years then I accidently stepped on it once and destroyed it. Too bad I had lots of fun with that plane. It was so durable in the air that I could loop it around the telephone lines at our field without fear. The landings wer always funny with it, it would hang in ground effect until it was impossibly slow then stall and snap if it was too high. With the Tyvek covering, it was the toughest plane Ive ever had, I wish I still had it.

RE: Speedy Bee
 

donkey doctor,

Give us some info on the method you use to cover with Tyvek. I've been experimenting with fan-fold pink foam and have thought about using Tyvek to cover it with.

Gary

RE: Speedy Bee
 

One of the most fun planes i have built, 4 to date. take your time keep it light and straight. #1was covered with solartex,looked good but a pain to keep clean and somewhat heavy. flew good with os 26 4st and micro radio. #2+3 were done with ultracote for friends.they used a os 15 2st .......ok but lacked torque in vertical manuvers........os 25 2 st .............too much for me.
#4 covered with ultracote, hitec micro gear, os 26 4 st. best combo so far. moved the cg back a little and this thing is a blast to fly. my next one will have outboard servos on the ailerons. the bellcranks will develope play over time.
you will enjoy this plane...i do every chance i get.

RE: Speedy Bee
 

Hello; I thinned down white carpenters glue with water and painted the framed plane with that. I cut newspaper templates and fitted them. After I was sure the templates were good, I cut the Tyvek and applied it using a covering iron to tack it down and seal the edges. After I was sure everything was well attached, I went over it with the iron. Be careful though, it's easy to over heat it and burn holes in it. As you heat it it becomes semi transparent as it shrinks. you'll know just how far to go after you have burned a hole or two in it. If you do burn it, it's easy to repair, just cut a piece of Tyvek and glue it in using CA.

It's tough, it makes a durable wing, you couldn't poke a hole in it with a ball point pen. You can paint it with anything. I use it inside out as all the printing is (lets say) out of character for the plane.

I flogged that plane so bad, I took the toughness for granted until I accidently stepped on it and collapsed the inside structure. The Tyvek worked out great, a few other flyers tried it with good results.

RE: Speedy Bee
 

I have a built speedy bee (static for now) that is at 54oz with a 600mah, 3 standard servos (not mounted)and 1 micro mgbb . Thats 3.375lbs. I plan to use micro servos for e/r and a 250mah but have not purchased yet. This should save a little more weight. Thus why its static.

I did the shock thing, but one 1 standard on bell cranks, no flaperons.

Magnum .25 on the nose.

RE: Speedy Bee
 

donkey doctor,

Thanks for the info on Tyvek covering! Going to do some experimenting now. My SB lasted only about 10 or 12 flights. Great flyer with my Magnum .30fs. I let a friend fly it and he didn't see the need to throttle back after take-off. One lap around the field and in a very shallow descent at full throttle the horiz stab went into flutter and ripped off.......instant lawn dart! I will build another eventually because it is such a fun plane to fly.

Gary

RE: Speedy Bee
 

Agreed. Good info. Now I need a sample of Tyvek to practice with.

RE: Speedy Bee
 

Great Info on the Tyvek!

How does it compare with regular covering for weight?

RE: Speedy Bee
 

Sure, I had a beautiful little Speedy Bee. and I had the OS 25 in it.

It was great fun for about a month, until the wings folded up in a tumble.[:o] That was the end of that!

RE: Speedy Bee
 

Hello; Tyvek is definately heavier than mono-ultracote, but the strength it gives the spindly wing is worth the weight. I scratch built my speedy Bee from plans while I was recovering the use of my right arm, so I concentrated on lightness. I built it using carpenter's glue and contest grade balsa. Finished it weighed 3 1/2 pounds ready to fly. lots of differential in the ailerons, little down lots of up, or it'll adverse roll.

I had a pair of floats doing nothing so I elastic banded the Bee to one float and flew it at the lake.

RE: Speedy Bee
 

Good Day D Dr.!

The Tyvek sounds interesting but I just fixed up a Speedy that was over weight, it started a 4 lbs and when I finished recovering it I had it down to 3 lbs.

One pound doesn't sound like much until you realise that it represents a 30% reduction in the overall weight of the AC and a 100% improvement in the performance.

I'm not saying that your Speedy won't fly at 3.5 lbs, but I'll suggest to you that it'll fly better at 3 lbs.

With these small AC there is always a trade off between a "Solid" AC and a "Light" AC - that choice can only be made by the builder.

For now I'll stick to monocoat for the Bee series but for my 60 size AC, the Tyvek will be a great option! Thanks for the information.

Merry Xmas!!

RE: Speedy Bee
 

Thanks for all the inputs on the SB.

Sorry I didn't get back on any of your suggestions but I had to run out of town on business.

1. I do happen to have an LA 15 laying around that I could use, I'll save the 25 for something else.
2. I was planning on using Econocoat on the plane, I think that'll be light enough for it. I'm not going to do anything fancy with the covering. I was just going to use the standard Bee design with different colors. I'm not artistic enough to make up anything really cool.
3. I'm going to use 2 servos in the wings, HS-81s. I got to like 2 servos instead of just one. I'll stick with the normal 81s instead of the MG to save weight.


This is only my second kit build, and I didn't fly the first one; just put it togethor to get a feel for how hard it would be. Do you use only CA for the build or do you use some epoxy also? The first one I built I did with quick CA and some 30 min epoxy. I may have over did it with the epoxy as I practially coated the fuse ribs where they contacted the sides.

Guess I better clean off the table in the garage to start framing up this baby. [8D]

Thanks everyone.

RE: Speedy Bee
 

Welcome Back Salty;

Only your second kit? hmmm...be careful and stay away from the epoxy.

I usually use thin CA and medium CA as required to join and fill minor gaps, keep a bottle of CA Kicker handy too, this will speed up your construction considerably. DO NOT SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOB METHOD OF BUILDING!!
(the bigger the GOB (of glue) the better the Job).

The LA 15 should power you up quite nicely. After a while, once to think that you have mastered the Bee and it has nothing left to teach you (that'll take some time!) you can upgrade to a larger engine.

Just be sure to rebalance the plane, the larger engine will add to the nose weight considerably.

The big thing to realize with Clancy products is that they are puzzles. There are lots of little pieces that all have a purpose. Sort them out, read the instructions carefully, fit them properly and don't use too much glue.

The Speedy Bee is a lot of fun to fly and own, take your time and build it properly and you will really appreciate this fact...

Happy Landings
Merry Christmas

Bruce

RE: Speedy Bee
 

Oh yeah.....I love Speedy Bees!!!!! I am on my fourth one now. I have a gas one with an OS 26 on her and an eletric version powerd by an AXI 2820-10 brushless motor. The Speedy Bees are a lot of fun, but you do have to think light. I have done a lot of hitting hard in the past, I have pushed my Speedy Bees to the limits but I have never had the wing fold on me. Never break off the leading edge inside the engine nacelle to get the tank out.....if you do that....the wings will fold up for sure. That sounds scary!!!!! One thing I have found is inlaying a 3mm carbon fiber rod on the inside of the leading edge for strength. From the begining I never trusted the small leading edge. Another thing that I like to do is use the larger trexlers so i can use a lrger prop....and it also adds to the cartoon looking nature of this plane. Everone at my feild loves my Speedy Bees. ME too!!!!!!:)

[link=http://home.att.net/~imsofaman/dave_surace_rc_homepage.htm]Dave Surace RC Homepage[/link]

RE: Speedy Bee
 

A photo of my two current Speedy Bees.....

RE: Speedy Bee
 

...

RE: Speedy Bee
 

Red;
Check your PM

RE: Speedy Bee
 

I lost my "Sylevester chasing Tweetie" Speedy Bee last week in a swamp. I have been out three times and can not find it. All I found was bad case of poison ivy. It is a real shame.....I this will be the last plane with an expensive brushless motor. I cant afford to replace it. HS 85MGs all the way around, Hitec 555 reciever, AXI 2820 brushless motor with 40 amp ESC and a ten cell CP1700 pack.....too much to list. Floating in the mud.....[:@] Oh well......I have to build something else now to take away the sting of loosing my favorite plane.

RE: Speedy Bee
 

DOOH! Bart will love this - I know it.

Marge - Can I keep it?