RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

Okay, then it's the same as I'm building hope to hear from you in your progress to build and fly this baby. Still two more weeks before the plastic parts comes from Adrian (takes forever for the plastic to swim over the water). But still I have to glue the winghalves together and plank the top and get the right wash-out.

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

gbzflyer,
Are the fairings and cowl ABS or fibreglass?

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

Hey Zpat,
I bought the fiberglass cowl and wheelpants when I bought the plane kit from Adrian. After I glued the parts together, I took them to a friend's autobody shop. We put some bondo on the seams, sanded, and then my friend sprayed a primer coat on them. I think they came out pretty good. Once I get the plane covered and masked off, he's going to paint the black trim on. He'll paint the cowl, pants, and the dummy radial engine at the same time.
Mike

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

Hi
It me again

Now when I build the wing there shall be two pieces in the middle that is 6x32mm but a 8x32 would fit better with a little sanding. But my question for you is how have you done?

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

gbzflyer, How's the covering going on your Gee Bee?

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

You can buy ultra tiny brass eye scews from model ship suppliers. They even have ones that will be way too small. They also have mini clevises which might be handy.

I used to use these to build my own spinning lures.

Sorry for the late response.

Erik

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

Zpat,
It's been going slow. I've been working on the control linkages and servo placement in the fuse. I'm still trying to decide how to proceed with the 2 ABS pieces that get glued to the front of the fillets on the fuse. I'll probably spray primer on them first, then glue them to the fuse. I'll then cover the fuse with Solartex right up to the ABS. I'll fill the transition area between the two and then do the final painting with black paint. I hope to start covering during the Christmas holiday. I have 2 weeks vacation to work on it.
Mike

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

Does anyone have any suggestions on a filler material to use on the transition between Solartex covering and ABS plastic?

Mike

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

Can't you use epoxy and microballons to smear out the edge from abs fillet and fuselag and the cover with solartex.

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

I bonded mine on using epoxy and micro ballons. I've used latex spackling and a polyester filler ( a product called icing. Your bodyman should be familiar with it.) to fill in low spots and I'm now trying to imitate the aluminum fillit lines on the fuselage with primer.
I got highly frustrated with the project when the primer on the ABS lifted and the covering on the fin pulled away from the fairing just behind the canopy.
I 'm going to wait for you and Jacs to get to that point before I proceed.
I'm kicking around the idea of getting Dave Platt's video on scale building and see if there is any ideas there.

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

God luck Zpat

In my rate of building it gonna take for ever. I'm almost done with the wing it's just the part that hold the aileron linkage that isn't the best size. And I have to buy aileron-balsa because I had bad luck thinking, I thought that I could grid it into shape but balsa isn't stiff enough. After that it's the former 3 and back that has to be done. Waiting for Adrian's plastic part to arrive (should be one week more). Still need some ideas on mounting the engine (aka the clearance on muffler exhaust to the body) have you got one? Idea that is.

Need to get more money to buy servos from Deutchland. Need to find the right mix on the yellow paint because Createx don't have the right paint (it's to light yellow). Hey shall I cover it with white solartex or what? Get me your opinion! Still need to find out on where to mount the rudder link?

So you see I have to much question to build or are I'm thinking to much on small things instead of building. I have to learn to stop thinking on the construction all the time. I have to have a work decease because when I make fixture or layout I think on how to manufacture them also.

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

Jacs,
I started this over a year ago.
In the meantime I've set up a number of planes to fly. This will look the way I want it to look or never be finished.
As far as covering it, unless your real good with plastic, the fuselage will be covered in fabric and painted.
I'm in no hurry and I'm willing to get this right no matter how much time it takes.
So keep on plugging away and we will probably have them ready to fly at the same time.

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

Okay then there is something wrong with me because it's been two months for me building now. But my Pitts Special S1 is one year old. But for my friend it took 4 year before he was finnish with his Pitts S1. I'm also trying to convert an old Husqvarna chainsaw engine on 44cc and 4bhp but that is a slow progress.

I'm also confused about drilling the hole for the dowel can't find a drill long enough.

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

Zpat,
You mentioned that you got frustrated when the primer pulled off of your ABS parts and the covering was pulling away from the fuse. Can you elaborate on these problems? Did you scuff the ABS before priming? What kind of covering are you using? A friend suggested that I apply Balsarite to the wood before applying the Solartex covering. He did a trial applying Solartex to a scrap of bare balsa and to balsa coated with Balsarite. The covering held on much better with the Balsarite applied wood. This may be overkill, but I wouldn't have a problem putting the Balsarite on before covering if it assured a superior bond.
Mike

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

gbzflyer,
I coated the entire fuse with balsarite before covering with Super Coverite.
I believe in my haste I laid on a coat of primer that was just to wet and it caused the lifting. Luckily it was confined to a small area of the wing fillit.
The covering lifted from a fairing that goes from the back of the canopy to the vertical fin and it no longer conforms with the fuselage shape. I guess I'll try to iron it down again. Since it does have a coat of primer on it I imagine it will melt from the heat and make a mess.
The latex spackling works well as a seam sealer.
Water sanding with 600 grit seems to work the best.

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

Have taken some pictures on my plane that has to be in the air before next summer.

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

Jacs,
Lookin good!
Soon we'll be at the same stage of building and we can swap ideas.
I've given the refinishing products 2 weeks to dry, and after some light sanding, have a nice surface base.
I had a problem with the covering pulling loose from the fin base. I'm going to sew this area.
I'll post some pictures of progress.

Have Fun!

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

Good looking plane Jacs.
I have a question. Does anyone know how to contruct the Stabilizer Support Struts? The kit comes with a 1/8 x 1/4 x 12" piece of bass wood and a 1/16 x 1/4 x 2 1/4" piece of brass. Both pieces are listed in the parts list as being for the stab struts. I just can't tell by the plan how to constuct it. Thanks for any help.
Mike

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

gzbflyer,
A wire is inserted into the wood strip that fits into a tab in the stabilizer.
Shape the wood to an airfoil shape and insert a brass tab in the end.
This tab is secured to the fuse with a fastener.

That's how I see it.

I'm going to use aluminum tubing.

I've come full circle on this project.
I went back to the plans and they have all the information I need.
At first I thought flying would be the priority and I would build to suit.
Now I've decided that I just want it to look good.
So far it weighs 5 lbs with a Webra speed 40 w/mini pipe.
I have no doubts that it will fly well.
I'm just after the "shrink ray look"
Let's just keep each other informed with it.
Good luck!

Pat

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

Thanks for the reply Zpat. What you described makes sense.
Mike

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

Hi

It's me again with another stupid question.

Why should I cover wingformer with 1oz glass cloth and resin?

Okay I don't have any problem doing it but why shall I it's covered with an 1mm plywood and 1.5 mm balsa it's strong for me it seams.

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

Jacs,
It seems to me you only cover the wing center section with glass cloth to help spread the load over the sheeted surface.
It may seem strong to you at the center section but the addition of the glass cloth will make it a very strong center section with the minimum amount of weight.

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

Hi Zpat

The center section of the wing is alright but this is to build the fillet on the fuselag. On the drawing sheet 3 of 3 it stands near the WF1-3 that it should be covered with 25gr glass cloth and resin.

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

My fillit is wood only. I didn't cover it with glass.

RE: Scale Gee Bee Z question.
 

Okay I will try then but I'm a bit confused about it. How have you mounted your engine ?