RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

Any info on the 60" by donut models. That is about the size I would be looking for. ----------------Revver Bro#164

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

www.donuts-models.com I don't think there are any distributors in the U.S. I e-mailed Donuts a few months ago and they said they'd ship to the U.S. From what I've read, it is a very high quality ARF. Takes a 90 -120 4 stroke weighs 9 -10lbs. I think you would be looking at about $500 U.S. shipped here.

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

I am building one, electric, WS 48", wings from Ripmax Spit, blue foam fuse....
Does somebody help meth white TEXACO sign? I will work out the round one but I am not good enough to create white sign....
Any help will be appreciated!
Janusz

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

the plane is 98,4" (2,50m)
the engine is a 62cc zenoah
weight is 11 kg

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

this is a beautiful paint sceme... it is by Mirco Pecorari?

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

The last info I had, after doing quite a bit of searching and emails, was Hobby-Lobby may import.
They do carry other donuts models- the manufacturer of the ARF GBR3.

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

the first maidenflight of my geebee r3 was a big sucses
flying on the back rolling knifedge is so easy
a hi is very fast also

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

Great looking aircraft. I'm building one also. The wing is finished and I recieved a 62cc Taurus engine yesterday. What is the length of your R-3 from the cowl to the rudder? The wing span on mine is 90". Judging from the Airworld version, I was going to make the fuselage 94" in length. Also, where did yours balance? Thanks, Jay

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

mine have a span of 98'' fuselage is 73''
balance point is 33%

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

I have one from donuts models....I going to built

best regards

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

NJHT
Did you build the R3 yet. Just wondering how it went as I will be getting one shortly. Do you have any pictures you could share

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

Where can I find a Gee Bee R3 in the US??

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

There are none yet.. Waiting on Hobby-lobby to start to import.. I was told very soon..

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

Here you go. Affordable too. [sm=72_72.gif]

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/geebee-r3.htm

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

Affordable, I can buy a 60 sized little tonni and a cosmic wind for that price.

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

Yeah it seems over priced imo also, it's more affordable than buying from overseas, donuts site shows it at 299 euros ($460ish). If hobby-lobby can get the price down to around $250-280, I'd buy for sure. Unfortunately for me, there are probably enough folks out there that like the look enough to pay the asking price.

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

Has anyone converted it from Electric to Glow?

With the Electric package its closing in on $1500 and its plastic covered...

Ouch

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

I just received my Donuts Models Gee Bee from Hobby-Lobby.com and it is VERY NICE. There are a few too many efforts to make it light weight in my opinion but that is an overcome able issue as I want to use Glow Fuel.

It does come with two light weight plywood fuselage reinforcements and a balsa sheet to add around the firewall for glow conversion... it also comes with a glow fuel tank and a separate motor mount for electric conversion. There is also a complete hardware package.

This is a first class model in all areas - packaging, assembly, fiberglass and design. One thing I found out quickly is that there is no manual for the airplane in the box, however, there is a link to download it from the www.hobby-lobby.com website on the Gee Bee page: [link=http://www.hobby-lobby.com/geebee-r3.htm]Hobby Lobby Gee Bee Page[/link] - or directly from here: [link=http://www.hobby-lobby.com/pdf/DMS890_%20GeBeeR3_InstructionManual.pdf]Instruction Manual[/link] - be aware that the manual is limited in detail and has a bunch of translation errors but if you have assembled a few ARF models you should be able to get by with it.

I should have it flying in a couple of weeks.

John

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

What do you plan on powering it with? I was thinking about an AX 75. And how did you get one? The arrival date is 7/11.
Jim

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

I saw this past weekend that Hobby-Lobby had pushed the date back to July 11th but on Thursday they modified it to say "Available Now" so I called - I had pre-ordered - my order was #26 in line - I understand that they are only getting 50 in the first shipment - but don't quote me on that. Anyway mine shipped and arrived today.

I actually got a 26cc gas engine that I was going to use, thinking that it would be comparable to the Great Planes Gee Bee R-2 in size. I attached a picture of the engine.

After getting it and seeing how light weight it is - the gas engine and the required modifications to strengthen the fuselage - made this not really worth the trouble. An AX 75 would be plenty. I am thinking that a 90 four stroke will be too much.

I have a 75 in my Little Toni that I will probably use or a 90 four stroke. I would really like to put a four stroke in it for the sound. I have several engine options, which is good.

I want it fast but sounding good as well.

Putting a over size engine won't be worth the trouble based on the light weight of the construction. It is VERY LIGHT which is good - but it makes it weak. I would be worried about increasing the weight too high just to have the fuselage snap in half on a hard landing.

I would love to start on it this weekend but I have a 1/3 scale ALL ALUMINUM Sopwith Camel that I designed and am fabricating from scratch. I am trying to finish the fabrication of the Camel for our July 12th fly-in (see the attached photos). I will have it fabricated and the Gee Bee ready to fly so I can provide some flight reports.

I will be adding a black box to the Camel that I might stick in the Gee Bee to get some hard data on the performance.

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

You guys better preorder now. The R3 was a hit at SEFF this year and the SKS SEFF video has the R3 filling up the cover.

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/geebee-r3.htm

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

Ok VultureI think we're all waiting to see what you went with for power and the flight report.

Why must you keep us all waiting? I'm jealousI wish I had one right now.

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

Gang,

I had some personal stuff come up that had me out of town. I plan on working on it this week/weekend. I will post an update this weekend.

On the positive front - I already have the flight battery on the charger.

John

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

I'm considering drawing a full size set of "builders" plans of the Gee Bee R-3. I'm thinking 72" to 80" in span.

I would like input from other fellow modelers that also have interest and would like to build this model.

Input in model size for engine choice has to be determined.

If I receive a large response, I'll design the plans around the most "agreed" upon size model.

I can offer copies of the plans and also a complete set of graphics for this model.

Certainly I will not copy the model 100%.

I feel the rudder area and look can be improved on. So can the ailerons and their total area. I'd also like to find fiberglass wheel pants already available from a supplier, in the required shape and size. Time saver and would be easier.

I can build, without effort, a fiberglass cowling. However, for a supplier, to make the production of many of them, will require committed interest from others. A bunch would have to be ordered. unless you have the ability to make your own cowling. Not really a big deal to make one actually.

I won't and cannot spend the time to design and draw plans for myself, let alone produce a "bangup" set of great graphics for this particular model. Especially when no plans are being offered. Are plans offered?

So, I hope there's interest because I would like to have this model.

If anyone's interested, you can E-mail me direct at:

[email protected].

E-mail me if you have interest. And please keep in mind that this cannot happen over night, but it can happen.

Thanks,

Charles

www.cfcgraphics.com

.

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

I also was interested in a IMAA legal R-3. So I'm building one. Basically I'm building from photos of the Airworld R3. If you look at the top view of the Airworld R3, the wing is close to a Spitfire wing. So I purchased a Yellow Aircraft Spitfire wing ( 88") and am almost finished with the fuselage which is scratch built. I have a new Taurus 62 for power. I had TNT Landing gear make up aluminum landing gear and I got the wheel pants from Fiberglass Specialities, I'll try to post some pictures.

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

Jim,

Congratulations on your efforts!

88" is a bit large for me, but still a great size model.

Doesn't IMAA have to be at least 1/4 scale of a "scale" airplane?

Also, I believe the cord on the Spitfire may be a tad large, but still a cleaver beginning. Kudos.

I would like to see photos, absolutely!

Charles

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

If it didn't cost a fortune I would be in for a set. Also a cad file that is ready for a laser cutter would be nice. That way all of the intricate pieces could be burned and the rest of the sticks etc. supplied by the builder. Just an idea. As for size, 50cc would be nice.

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

Jving,

Cutting isn't cheep, especially in limited quantities. Drawing plans is one thing, creating perfect "vectored" lines from them are another thing.

It's time consuming, lots of time.

The cutters rely on a balance of sales.

50cc, that would be about 80" to 90", correct?

I have a Brison 2.4. I have absolutely no idea what this engine can do? My guess is 80" in span would be all it could handle if I wanted real speed and performance.

Suggestions?

Charles

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

I would go with an 80" minimum wing span which is the minimum for IMAA events. Since the R-3 was not a full scale aircraft the 1/4 scale IMAA option would not apply.

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

Here are a few pictures of my scratch built (from photos only) 88 inch wingspan Gee Bee R-3.

Taurus 62 cc engine. Should be finished this fall.

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

I am currently assemblying the Hobby Lobby Gee Bee R3. Very impressive ARF as far as construction and covering. Instructions are NOW okay. I emphasize NOW because the model comes with no instructions and the instructions that were initially provided online were an absolute joke. The current instructions (Hobby Lobby website) are marked NEW and have so far proven to to okay. Caution: when drilling holes for the landing gear struts, put a wheel collar on the drill bit to prevent it from drilling too far; as in through the top of the wing. Ensure the landing gear axles are aligned properly before attaching the struts to the model.

I will be powering mine with a Tower Hobbies .75 with a Pitts-style muffler. The Hobby-Lobby website led me to think the model was recommended for electric power, but I purchased the ARF with intentions of converting to glow. Upon receiving the model, I found that recommended glow engines ranged from .70 to .80 two-stroke or .90 to 1.2 four-stroke. I have completed steps for ailerons, wings, struts and wheel pants, horizontal stabilzer, and rudder. Presently deviating from instructions to install a "floor" in the canopy to add a pilot, instrument panel, and seat. If anyone has encountered any assembly problems, I would appreciate knowing.

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

This morning at 6:15 AM Snoopy went for reconnaissance flight over the city to find Charlie Brown with a Cam on board on the Gee Bee "Y". He accomplish the mission with success.
Watch the video on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkM_LKCiBgQ

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

Put me down for a set of plans. Providing they arent ludicrously expensive.

If I could pick a scale I would go with 66" wingspan or there abouts (.90 4 stroke engine?). But am willing to go up to anything that will take up to a 50cc engine.

If your looking for volume of interest tho you may be better to go with something between .40 and 1.80 size?

Just a thought.

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

I just purchased a Gee Bee R3 NIB.

Engine choice?

Thanks

Charles

www.cfcgraphics.com

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

Has anyone finished building / flown their Hobby Lobby Gee Bee R3 yet?

I'm looking for a flight report on this plane.

Thanks, Jim

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

I finished my R3 and flew it once. Upon takeoff it turned sharp left and headed for trees. I had to pull up to avoid the trees, and it turned even more sharply to the left. I continued to fight the sharp left until the plane went behind trees. Given the circumstances, the plane never reached a safe flying speed. Since I could not see the plane and given that planes with such problems almost inevitably head down, I pulled the throttle to idle and let it hit the ground. To my surprise (and delight!) it landed in a corn field and received minor damage; only the bracing wires were damaged. I, along with friends, verified that flight controls, CG, etc were all fine before and after the flight. I believe the problem occurred because the plane lifted off sooner than I would have liked; meaning a slow airspeed and high angle of attack, circumstances which allow torque and other prop problems to become serious which accounts for the left turn tendancy. I intend to attempt a second flight, but will ensure to keep the nose down on takeoff and build up more speed. I will also be ready to jump on right rudder. I suspect the plane lifted early because of the tall gear. I used a Tower Hobbies .75 with a Pitts-style muffler. Pictures attached.

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

Thanks for the info. It sure looks cool. Any problems during the assembly of the plane? Does everything fit well?

Thanks, Jim

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

Be cautious when pre-drilling the landing gear mount screw holes. Drill too deep and you will penetrate the top of the wing. I added more hardwood to the fuselage where the top side bracing wires attach to the fuselage. The bracing wires are attached in a rather crude fashion and the wires are difficult to attach when sufficiently tight to keep the gear from wobbling. I would use small turnbuckles if I could find some small enough. Also the bracing gear hardware threads were a poor match so I used Du-Bro. One main landing gear axle was not bent properly. Once the gear, but not the wheel pants, are mounted look down on the leading edge of the wing and ensure the landing gear axle aligns with the leading edge or points backwards slightly (toe-In). I believe toe-in is more acceptable that toe-out. My right rear gear toed-out quite a bit and the left gear aligned with the leading edge of the wing. I did not appreciate that the inside of the fuselage showed through the canopy, so I attached a cockpit floor made from depron foam and added a pilot backrest. I could not find a proper looking pilot to fit. The tailwheel was another problem. The tailwheel wire would not mount securely as expressed in the instructions, so I removed the covering and wood in that area, added more hardwood and recovered the fuselage. I could not figure out how the manufacturer intended for the tailwheel pant to be mounted. I simply could not make the wheelpant secure following their instructions, so I clamped the tailwheel wire to the wheelpant with a small brass strap and bolts.

Yes, the plane looks great and is constructed and covered very well. I just it hope it eventually flies well. Please let me know if you hear of anyone who has successfully flown it. I must admit, I am still leery about the next flight.

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

that makes me want to go order this:

http://www.airworld-usa.com/scale5_page.htm

david

RE: GEE BEE R3 RACER??WOW!!!
 

whooops! just noticed this is a much longer thread than i thought it was.

david