Another GeeBee Z on the bench
02-10-2003 | 05:38 PM
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From: OH
Another GeeBee Z on the bench
Hello!
It seems like plenty of you scale builders have built a GeeBee at some point - I hope you can help me with some questions.
A little background - I'm building my first "plans" plane, Page's GeeBee "Z", a little off-scale. I reduced the plane to a 48" wingspan. I started back in December, and so far, I have the fuse, and tail feathers together, and I just got the wings framed last night.
Very soon now, I'm going to need to make some decisions on the hardware for this plane, and that is where I'm hoping you can help.
1. Servos - I used the "servocalc" spreadsheet, and maybe I'm using it wrong, but it seemed to calculate ridiculously low torque values for me, less than one or two inch-ounces in most scenarios. I take it that means I could get away with Mini Servos, like the HS-55 for instance, but I'd be interested in hearing what others have put in their 48" wingspan, two-pound planes?
2. Wheels - I'm planning on getting some Sullivan 3.5" SkyLite wheels. They seem to have about the right scale shape. What did you use/recommend?
3. Control horns - I picked up a pair of 1.25" Dubro nylon control horns, which seem okay, but maybe a little on the large side. Anybody have a good rule of thumb for the control horn size? Perhaps as a percentage of the control surface chord? I might order some smaller horns with the wheels - the hobby store didn't carry anything smaller.
4. Power - I'm not quite ready to tackle the power equations yet - I'd like to know more about the plane's all-up weight before I think too hard about motors and batteries. I am planning on powering with electric...
That's all I have for now. I was greatly pleased to find so many others with similar interest in the GeeBee planes. They are beautiful airplanes with an interesting history.
Thanks much.
Dan.
It seems like plenty of you scale builders have built a GeeBee at some point - I hope you can help me with some questions.
A little background - I'm building my first "plans" plane, Page's GeeBee "Z", a little off-scale. I reduced the plane to a 48" wingspan. I started back in December, and so far, I have the fuse, and tail feathers together, and I just got the wings framed last night.
Very soon now, I'm going to need to make some decisions on the hardware for this plane, and that is where I'm hoping you can help.
1. Servos - I used the "servocalc" spreadsheet, and maybe I'm using it wrong, but it seemed to calculate ridiculously low torque values for me, less than one or two inch-ounces in most scenarios. I take it that means I could get away with Mini Servos, like the HS-55 for instance, but I'd be interested in hearing what others have put in their 48" wingspan, two-pound planes?
2. Wheels - I'm planning on getting some Sullivan 3.5" SkyLite wheels. They seem to have about the right scale shape. What did you use/recommend?
3. Control horns - I picked up a pair of 1.25" Dubro nylon control horns, which seem okay, but maybe a little on the large side. Anybody have a good rule of thumb for the control horn size? Perhaps as a percentage of the control surface chord? I might order some smaller horns with the wheels - the hobby store didn't carry anything smaller.
4. Power - I'm not quite ready to tackle the power equations yet - I'd like to know more about the plane's all-up weight before I think too hard about motors and batteries. I am planning on powering with electric...
That's all I have for now. I was greatly pleased to find so many others with similar interest in the GeeBee planes. They are beautiful airplanes with an interesting history.
Thanks much.
Dan.
02-10-2003 | 10:41 PM
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From: BROOKLYN,
NY
Another GeeBee Z on the bench
don't know about most of it, but talk to tom cimato at maxcim.com, tell him exactly what you're building and what size prop you want, and he'll sell you exactly what you need for a power system. a bit pricey, but he builds it himself, and i read somewhere he builds power and drive/controll systems for the aerospace industry, so he has the background. nice guy too
