Sonny's GB is a fiberclassics 1/3 scale . He flew it with a sidel radial one time, and then put a new engine in it ( 3W 140 4 banger ) Since has sold it, and it has not flown yet with that engine. Currently plane is in Los Angeles. Should be flown in the next couple of months.

Hi guys & gals:

Just joined this forum. Been building a 1/4 scale Gee Bee R-1 per Henry Haffke plans. I have some questions.

First, has anyone other than Henry sucessfully flown and landed this model? I have two RC friends who both crashed theirs on takeoff, so I'm looking for some validation that this aircraft will actually fly successfully.

Second, I need engine advice. Henry's plane weighed 15 lbs and he flew it with a Webra 90 swinging a 14x4 prop. If I hadn't seen his video I would not have believed this would be possible. After all the cowl is 15 inches in dia.

I expect mine to weigh about 18 lbs with a 3 1/2 lb engine. One possible candidate is the new Zenoah G-26 that should have about 15 lbs of thrust with a 16x 8 prop. What have others used and flown with successfully?

Any other advice and counsel would be appreciated.

Thanks

My elderly 6-pound Coverite Model 'E' is flying on a really old and tired OS .40 FSR swinging an 11X5 gray APC prop. I takes off blacktop in 40-50 feet. The prop sticks out about 1 " beyond the ring cowl and fake Warner engine. Climb-out is somewhat gradual and level flight full-throttle speed is about 50 mph and looks really scale-like. I have silicon tubes attached to Pitts-type muffler with exhaust restrictors to assure good muffler pressure. I have slow-rolled and looped it but it could use less weight and/or more power. A .60 would probably give enough power for much more spirited aerobatics nut 20+ year-old structure might not take it.

Landings must be power-on, P51 style, it slows down quickly and can tip stall at low power settings. The R1 and 2 are more streamlined and shorter coupled so take-offs and landings are probably more squirrely. I notice that the fuselage seems to develop lift during takeoff, (keep the nose down). Torque-effects during take-off run require a fair amount of right rudder at first but less as it gets ready to lift off. Hope some of this appies to yours and helps.

I have had two 85 inch GB R2's from NWHT, they fly great, no bad habits...like to 3 point land. Easy to fly if you have good low wing experience. I have acquired a 102 inch GB R2 and will have a 1/2 scale GB R2 that I will build later this winter and fly next year. They are the coolest looking planes. As for the 1/2 scale R2 kit I have, it was designed cooperatively between Greg Garrison from Tennessee and Bob Moore of Kansas. IT is an all glass fuse with preinstalled formers, glass pants and rudder and foam wing and tail. Seems the prototype was kit form to the air, in primer, in a week. I figure mine will fly next spring. 80 pounds, 3W240 for power on the prototype, which flew nicely. I have a JPX320 to install.

A COUPLE YEARS AGO WHILE SURFING THE NET I FOUND A RARE SHOT OF A "Z" WITH A VERY DIFF. COLOR GRAPHICS. I BELIEVE IT WAS A MEXICAN VERSION. ANY ONE KNOW WHERE I WAS? LON

I HAVE FOUND IT AGAIN. THE GEE BEE Z IS STILL BEAUTIFUL NO MATTER WHAT COLOR! CHECK IT OUT. LON http://flightsimmers.net/airport/win...nquistador.htm

I know it isn't a 'short' Gee Bee, but here is a shot of my 'Y' from NWHT. Other photos are in my photo gallery.

I am just about done with a Adrian Page R2. Not a bad kit ingenious use of laser cut fuse crutch. I need some drawings or pictures of the instrument pannel. So far I have looked everywere with no luck. I hate to go flying without my pilot knowing what the big P&W is doing up front!
Sparky

Elmshoot, if you go to geebee.com there is a picture of the Benjamin/wolf R-2 under construction. The instrument panel is mounted but there are no instruments or switches in it. I know it isn't much to go on but it will give you a general idea of it's layout.
By the way, I am just finishing my Page R-2. Have you decided how you are going to cover and finish yours? I am a little undecided and would like to hear your opinion.
Jon L.

Sparky and Jon,

I have a Page kit sitting on the shelf and it will most likely be my next project. While building it is still fresh in your minds, are there any tips, advice or warnings you could share before I start construction of my R2?

What are you using for an engine? I'm still undecided.

Thanks for any information.

Bob,
I just go done with the exhaust pipes. i roun About 10 more hours of work to be ready to fly.
My Gee Bee R2 is pretty stock. I used the glass kit and extra stickers. I used the Nelson system to cover and finish the plane. I need to do a clear gloss coat over the entire airframe. I am using JR 4000 series servos for the rudder and elevator. (2) 305's for the ailerons and one for the throttle. The power is a YS .91 AC and I will try the APC 15x6 to start with. I have a slimline smoke muffler with some 1/2 inch brass extentions to get them out of the cowl without putting holes in the cowl. If things work out I will run the smoke system. It weighs about 7.5 pounds my scale isn't too accurate.
I'm sure it will fly great but I am really looking forward to the first landing
Sparky

For the others, I have seen the picture of the instrument pannel not enough info to go on.
I still need a picture or drawing of the pannel.

Bob S
building the Page R-2 was fun but you have to pay close attention to the instructions and plans. The center fuse box MUST be built straight and true as all else builds on it & aligns to it, The rudder fairing is a very close fit to the rudder(1/8 in. on the real R-2) so shape and fit your parts very carefully in this area. If I can be of any help as you progress feel free to ask.
Jon L.

These aussie guy's have done an R3 and they sell them for only US$500.00

Check it out at

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~mikereynell/

I still can't believe mounting a small wing cam on my GP GeeBee resulted in making the thing fly all funky and crash in the corn..
onboard footage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-boExcg3Vk

Adding the narrative was helpful for the footage. What camera did you use? I think a GO-Pro isn't suitable since it is too big and would cause problems from the aero. I have The HK small cameras and they don't have the resolution yours does but they didn't crash my plane either, experience can be a harsh teacher.
Sparky

Elmshoot, this was the HK Wingcam 2, it is so very small I was shocked when it screwed up the flight of the plane. The GB flew perfect without it. I am still shocked that little cam caused that much trouble.
It is a great camera though..I should order a spare or two.. And it has survived more abuse than I can believe.

Depending on where you put the camera there could be a a lot of aerodynamic disturbance. It seemed to be mounted on the wing root near the fuselage on the left side. The model seemed unstable and not wanting to settle into stabilized flight, and you said you retrimmed the model. This indicates where you put the camera was a bad spot, wish you had provided a picture of the camera and it's mounting location, I'd be interested to know.
Gee Bee's are pretty slick airplanes designed to be the exact shape that they are to be flown relatively fast. Sticking things out in the slipstream, especially near the wing root on a critical airplane like a racing plane and especially a Scale model of a Gee Bee, one could expect trouble! Interestngly the P-38 Lightning had had airframe vibrations and instability that was traced to the intersection fairing of the wng root and the pilot pod causing disturbed airflow over the stab. Your problem was something like this, it seems only much worse. Yours affected controllability.
I have a Nitroplanes 71 inch Gee Bee and am looking forward to flying it soon after it is refinished.
Chris...

Sorry for your loss Stick,,,,have you ever seen a Polikarpov hit the corn?

Jeff

Jeff I somehow missed your post.. Believe me the Gee Bee landed much lighter than Polly did ! hhhahahah

I had it repaired in a week or so.. still haven't flown since ! So maybe its ME that was damaged more than the plane ! hahhahaha

Stuntflyer you nailed it dead on, the camera was held on with green tape on the front root of the left wing....