RE: GP GEE BEE
[quote]ORIGINAL: mugenkidd Here's a close call I had with my GP Gee Bee. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2k0nUHpJ6c [/quote] Muggenkidd, looks like you didn't have enough airspeed when you lifted off! Very fortunate! Nice job on the quick thumbs. bird.
Posted on: 11/19/2009 11:36 PM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9266700

RE: Great Planes PT- 17 Stearman ARF
Hey my neterland friend, here is what I did to reinforce mine. First I cut them out in the back to fit, then I filled them with Epoxy with micro baloons for strength. The left cylinder, from front view, has a screw through it into a small plate mounted to the front of the engine, it had four holes to do this. I have flown it many times and had no problems with it. Here are some pic's to help. Also, where the engine sets into the cowl, I put three self tapping wood screws through the lip into the engine to secure it and made it removable because I couldn't put the cowl on with the dummy engine attached. I also put plywood 'nuts' in the engine for the screws to anchor. I will be out for a bit and get back to you if you have any questions. Thanks. bird. It is 2:25 PM here.
Posted on: 11/17/2009 2:32 PM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9260463

RE: Great Planes PT- 17 Stearman ARF
Please give John my regards and ask him if he remembers the plane. I will try to dig up a photo of it by then. I must be off now. I will be back on later. I'm not sure if I clicked the 'reply by e-mail' when I posted this. Hope it works. bird.
Posted on: 11/4/2009 12:20 PM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9227702

RE: Great Planes PT- 17 Stearman ARF
Okay then, thanks for getting back with me. I never really got into my back ground. Nationalism is not my thing. I figure being of the human race relates me to all. I'm part of the 'huttled masses' that came through Ellis Island in New York so that is close enough. Besides, Nationalism seems to cause too many clashes and divisions as I'm sure you are aware, coming from Ireland. The divisions are sad as they have caused so many families to loose loved ones because of hatred. Well, not for this blog! Sorry for the history lesson. I'm sure you could tell me a thing or two. By the by, have you heard of John Beasley there in Ireland? He was a TOC alternate in 93 or so. Tony Mangold In Canyon Lake Texas, U.S.A. was building the 33 percent Ultimates for Bob Godfrey of Tampa Florida. I did the covering job for John on his plane they sent him. It was metalic red, white and metalic blue. Thanks again for getting back to me. bird.
Posted on: 11/4/2009 12:00 PM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9227658

RE: Great Planes PT- 17 Stearman ARF
My last name is BRAY.
Posted on: 11/4/2009 10:52 AM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9227509

RE: GP GEE BEE
No problem buddy, just call, that's all! bird.
Posted on: 11/4/2009 12:43 AM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9226853

RE: Great Planes PT- 17 Stearman ARF
Xairflyer, do you live anywhere near Bray Ireland? I am Scotch, Irish and Cherokee indian. I believe my last name is from Bray Ireland. Is there a Bray Scotland? Thanks. bird.
Posted on: 11/4/2009 12:40 AM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9226847

RE: Great Planes PT- 17 Stearman ARF
Yoadrian, not sure what color blue, seems inbetween navy and royal blue. What ever color you use, check your local auto supply store. Up here Sanel auto supply will mix what ever color you want and actually put it in a spray baum! it's anywhere from $16 to $36 bucks a can depending on the color. I had subaru maroon and charcoal and they were 36 and 16 respectively. It is acrylic enamel and fuel proof! Surely someone does this where you are. acrylic enamel is tolerent to humidity too. Doesn't blush easily. bird.
Posted on: 11/2/2009 9:03 AM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9222118

RE: GP GEE BEE
Justin, send it to me and I will build one for you. Put two 12" sheets of medium to hard balsa and the rudder in a bubble pack and send it to me. Also, put two 12"X12" monocote pieces in with it. I'll supply the post material and glue. I will have it to you in a week of getting it. Put five bucks in with it so I can ship it back to you in a box. It will survive better that way. Bob Bray 4102 VT. RTE 14 LOT #1 Williamstown VT. 05679 802-433-6602 I promise it will be nicer than the original.
Posted on: 10/28/2009 9:24 PM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9210801

RE: Pitts/Fuji 50
Kochj, I probably have twenty of thirty flights on it. I lost a lot of interest in flying for a couple of years and just let it hang. Mean time I was building and working and it hung in the shop ceiling for four years. I finally got it down this summer and flew it one time. I have plans for the engine and have decided to make a 'pretty' out of it and hang it in my cathedral ceiling for the rest of it's life. It was a gift from a dear friend of mine and it means a lot to me. bird.
Posted on: 10/20/2009 1:11 PM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9188253

RE: GP Super Stearman
I rode in one once too. Great experience. bird.
Posted on: 10/17/2009 12:16 AM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9179563

RE: GP Super Stearman
n6iap, I recently went to the Warbird Fest in New Hampshire, being called their 'first annual Warbird fest' and they asked all vets to line up and took a picture. They said that it would be in a future AMA magazine artical. Who knows. I had my head down, don't care for the notoriety. Anyway, true about the super stearman but also the crop dusters had the 450. My friend Hank has an old crop duster converted back to a navy version with metal skins on the whole fuselage. We started about four or five years ago tearing it down and rebuilding it. So far we have done the bottom wings. They are covered, stitched, taped and Poly sealed and ready for paint. We haven't done anything for a couple of years but plan to get back to it when he gets back from his hunting trips in Feb. Hank has enough parts to build four or five of these things! The rotten trailing edge is from rats getting in a urinating and pooping. You could smell the evidence. If you put cented sheets for drying clothes in the wing, it will keep the rodents out. Mud wasps are a real problem too. The were in the leading edge was full of them when we took the metal skin off. bird.
Posted on: 10/13/2009 4:36 PM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9170340

RE: GP Super Stearman
Hey Bernie, thanks for the complements. Yes it is a dummy engine. I have some photo's of the process. I have an original G-23 with a magnito. The only thing I don't like is that it has a B&B box muffler. It keeps the oil in too long and causes it to cook and comes out black! The Pratt 450 manual says that when they are rebuilt it should use about one gallon an hour and when it gets to three gallons an hour it is time to rebuild it. Mine looks like it has a six plus burn! It's worse than wiping glow fuel off! I use the gas mixture to break it down. Does pretty good. I couldn't install the cowl and engine in one piece so what I did was to drill three holes in the collar that the engine slides into and put back up wood in the engine as a 'nut' and also had to put a tab in the lower left hole in front of the engine and extend a tab down and put a screw thru the left bottom cut up cylinder to steady it. I had to really butcher the bottom two cylinders up to keep them. You can see one of the holes if you look closely. I also filled the two cylinders with micro balloon epoxy for strength. Wasn't much left of them. Your DI was an exception in those days. They were pretty tough and called you everything but your name! Now they can't be mean to you anymore. As far as I'm concerned it really seperated the boy's form the men. Not as many 'girly boys' got thru back then. Anyway, can't say too much about that cause you don't have 'freedom of speach' in everything, just what they want you to say! Which of those ammendments were we fighting for? I wish they would at least list them. Viet Nam, 1970-1971. No big deal! bird. Sorry but I keep editing this thing! Yes they are new gear. They are cracked already too. Sounds like a neat idea you have. I took my old ones apart and it looks like they cast them and then overlayed them with glass cloth and finished them. There needs to be an AD put out on them! hehe! Perhaps they can relieve the fit area and give them an eigth of an inch or so, so they don't press against the fuselage. As long as this bird has been out surely they have seen the problem. That rubber you are talking about needs to be paintable with fuel proof stuff. later.
Posted on: 10/13/2009 1:21 PM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9169820

RE: GP Super Stearman
Al and Shubova, here are some photo's of a 170 in a redone GP Stearman at a warbird event. The finish is actually paint and right out of the gun! He claims that he didn't have to polish or wet sand or even clear coat it. Amazing! I posted these before so just in case you missed them, here they are again. bird.
Posted on: 10/13/2009 12:32 PM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9169673

RE: GP Super Stearman
Well, I guess you drew me in on that one. That's okay, but as you can see, it can be taken seriously especially when an incident just took place. So, lets get on with this thread. One should be aware when to step in on something like that or just keep quiet and let it settle down. Now, as I asked before, what is your interest. Do you have this stearman or would you like to get one? Let's talk about planes. Okay? Great! Here's mine after a rebuild. I smacked the ground on a high speed pass and drove the gear though the wing and knocked the wing tip off of it. So, off with the old cloths and on with the new dress. I really enjoyed being able to do a little scale work on it. Scale is my new challenge now. I have been building and flying so long that neither is much of a challenge. So, I decided to take scale on to keep from burning out as I have so many times in the past. Do you do scale or are you pretty much a sport flier? Do you have any photo's to share? We, at least I am interested in your views and conversation. Thanks for coming on this sight and being a part of the group. bird. DRILL SARGENT!!!! I remember a drill sargent named SGT. Burns, he was mine when I went into the ARMY in 1969 (revealing my age now) and all this guy could say was "drop down and give me ten!!!!" I did so many pushups and KP that I thought they were my middle name! hehe!
Posted on: 10/13/2009 11:20 AM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9169500

RE: GP Super Stearman
Never skinned a wing tip aye? You can land anything aye? You don't need lessons aye? Speaking of lessons, read my last posting and see if there is something you can learn about how we feel about instigators. Want to see a cat fight? Go somewhere else. It's obvious you don't have an ARF Stearman. Otherwise you would know that they don't come with spare covering. Now, is there anything we can help you 'learn' about this ARF Stearman? Bigbird doesn't have a space either! Before you write something else offensive, read the 'Please resist the urge to' clause above where you intend to 'flame, degrade, insult or embarrass someone in your post'. Shhhhhh! Their watching! bird.
Posted on: 10/13/2009 1:01 AM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9168709

RE: GP Super Stearman
Delete, delete, delete, delete, delete, delete. I almost responded. hehe! But I didn't. hehe! This is mine after a bad landing and a rebuild. Can someone teach me to land? bird.
Posted on: 10/13/2009 12:46 AM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9168675

RE: GP Super Stearman
Well Mrbigg, perhaps you don't owe an apology but in retrospect, perhaps if you didn't reply at all to his statement, then it might not have escaladed to the point that it did. Now we can go back an forth why we think the other is right or wrong but the point is, don't give the other guy a chance to be retorical! Anger only causes more anger and in this case it did. A week from now you wouldn't even know what it was all about if you just said nothing but now it is an issue that sticks in your craw and everyone elses. Now if we can stop the bantering we can get back to the Stearman. I'm sure I'm not popular now because I have said something but it is all of our business to keep others from getting kicked off of this sight. There are fatherly figures on this sight, as well as others, and there are child like figures too. Whick one would you like to be? It's your choice. I have already picked mine! So, lets let it go and go back to the Stearman as you said. This is where I am going to let it go. No matter what anyone says about this 'dead' subject again, I won't respond any further to it. That, I would consider being child like! bird.
Posted on: 10/11/2009 11:46 PM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9165489

RE: GP Super Stearman
Shubova, that saito seems to be a good choice for your plane. I Have one of the early G-23's in mine and it does pretty good. The thing about this engine is that it takes a lot to break it in but once it is broken in, it developes it's potential power. It does however fly more scale than if it had a 150 in it. That is where this plane performs best in my opinion. Any plane will fly fast and do all of the doo-dads with excess power. The real challenge is to fly a scale plane scale. But what ever! If you are having a good time with yours like I am with mine, then, that is what counts! Just remember that without the flying wires, you can pull the top wing off! I don't mean the stretchy ones in the box, I mean really putting cables on it and tightening them. Then you will be able to perform safe tough manouvers. The full size is capable of sustaining 12 G's!!!! But, there is no way that you could put a full size in that situation! My friend and I have been rebuilding a full size for the pase few years. It is a remarkable plane. 1941 vintage. So long for now buddy. Bird.
Posted on: 10/9/2009 9:22 PM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9160504

RE: GP Super Stearman
Good job Subova, I thank you very much for your response. It takes a lot of charactor to do what you did. We all have to be brought down a couple of clicks once in a while. Just remember that there are people out there in this hobby that 'have fun' at the expence of others. They seem to have been an out cast of some sort for a large part of their life and think that razzing others is the way to communicate. Unfortunately they are the ones beating themselves up trying to enjoy this sport. I try to not only refer to this as a hobby but also a sport. I think that it ought to be televised as often as a ball game, sort of, to promote it. That is another key to this hobby/sport, YOU, as a modeler, whom ever you are, should promote it so others have an opportunity to expand thier talents. I must say that in all of the last forty-four years that I have enjoyed this hobby/sport, it has opened many other doors of creativity. What talented prople modelers are! Don't you think? Well, most of them. Anyway, enough of my spouting off. Thanks again for your understanding. We all look forward to continuing with you. bird. Sorry, this wasn't in response to rcmigpilot. I just clicked on the last post. Thanks.bird.
Posted on: 10/8/2009 11:38 PM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9158148

RE: GP Super Stearman
Agreed! This is not the place to vent. In fact, as I write this I can read the RCU Policies just above. Funny, you two didn't see it. I have often said that 'it is never too late to have a happy childhood' but lets all be grown ups in between playing. As the 'policy' says; "if you have to vent, take it off line. Or, get kicked off of this blog and RCU. It is clearly stated! If you think they are kidding, keep it up. Then we won't have to chastise you anymore! They'll make you pick up your toys and go home! Now, this is a serious statement and we will see just how mature you can be. You both need to post an apology for misbehaving. It takes a real man to admitt when he is wrong. And if you don't, then you are acting like that 'A' word you called each other! Think I'm kidding, it should be your first posting before you get back to business! Have a nice day. bird. P.S. If you respond to my statement, be nice. If you apologise, we will all forget it ever happened and things will be back to normal. After all, we all make mistakes. Right? Right! All of us!
Posted on: 10/8/2009 5:46 PM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9157162

RE: GP GEE BEE
RACJ, just don't go bigger than the 1.20 they recommend and the prop won't be an issue. It uses a 16" prop. I'll be out in the shop for a while so I will check this later. bird.
Posted on: 10/5/2009 3:50 PM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9148783

RE: GP GEE BEE
Good deal buddy, just remember that it takes practice with the elevator. Soon you will have it nailed down. Be careful with the high nitro. You can burn any percetage you want but,,,,, don't lean it out too much or you will push the best part of that engine out the exhaust!!!! Also, I don't think you need to do any thing to the landing gear. You have already done more than you should. The key is "wheel landings" and timing on the elevator. That is all! Simple is smarter! Okay buddy, keep up the good work and remember that this airplane is not as much a sport plane as others. This one, you have to fly all of the time. Take care. bird.
Posted on: 10/5/2009 2:05 PM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9148514

RE: GP GEE BEE
Good deal buddy. I look forward to your report. Like I said, the elevator thing is a timing thing. Once you get the hang of it, it will impress everyone! All best. bird.
Posted on: 10/2/2009 1:34 PM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9141408

RE: GP GEE BEE
Pencon, what I have learned about the way it pulls when in a knife edge is; that if it pulls to the landing gear, it is tail heavy. If it pulls up, it is nose heavy. I am not sure if this is 100 percent true in all cases. Perhaps someone else could chime in on this. As far as GP or GMP, a Gee Bee is a Gee Bee when it comes to configuration. The differences would probably be in the airfoil or incidence. I can't think of much else unless they stretched it a bit. Now that would be a good idea just to increase the coupling. All best. bird.
Posted on: 10/1/2009 10:49 PM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9140182

RE: GP GEE BEE
Pencon, thanks for the reply. Good that you are doing the multiple landings. Yes they are pitch sensitive. Have you put an incidence meter on it? This might be a factor. When you have pitch sensitivity, it can come from wing angles and engine set up. If you don't have a meter try this; adjust your trim to fly straight with power on, then cut the power and see which way it goes, up or down. Usually up. If it goes up, that means that the engine thrust is keeping it level at full power, usually this is the determining factor, it means that you have too much positive incidence in the main wing. Some planes need a certain degree of positive incidence to fly good. Others, you can set at 0'. This means that engine thrust can be set very close if not at 0'. But, can you see how positive incidence and down thrust can make it pitch sensitive? One other thing to consider. If the trailing edge is tapered to a point, it will make it pitch sensitive also. You might consider building a new set of flat surfaces. Many planes that have airfoil surfaces need to be quite precision ships to fly well. Some times it just looks pretty but doesn't fly well. I would not make them real thick on the t.e. What ever the trailing edge is on the H stab then you could taper them just slightly to off set the look and still keep some thickness and stability. Of course, this would be a last resort to replace them. This bird is set up like the P-51 in that the H stab is higher than the wing. The P-51 is a tough one to three point because the H stab gets in the stall area of the wing at high angle causing it to be hard to control in the three point attitude. That is why it will wheel land better. It will high speed stall easier because of that too. some bodies got to figure this bird out eventually. You guys have had more trouble with this little pig than most other planes on the market! you might find a you tube video of the full size doing it's thing at the reno air show and see how he lands it. I'll bet he wheel lands it! Well, enough of my babbling on. Let me know what you find. I am sure GP has put a lot of research into this and all of their planes but sometimes you just can't cover it all. One always gets away. Thanks for your time buddy. bird.
Posted on: 9/30/2009 11:03 AM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9135715

RE: GP GEE BEE
Pencon, I hope that works for you but just in case you don't get the desired results here is what I suggest. That plane is a wheel lander! If you will practice landing it on the main wheels and then let off of the elevator at just the right time, it will stick to the ground. Have you ever flown a cub? It is much the same. The elevator is practiced timing. Just as it touches down you have to let off of the elevator. There have been so many postings about this thing bouncing. If you re-flair after each bounce it gets worse and even more violent each time. It is the same with a cub and this is where I learned that when they bounce on landing most of the time, then they need to be wheel landed. Don't set the plane up to float in, this helps it bounce. Also, don't try to three point it until you know it fully. learn to fly with a couple of clicks of down in level flight. This will make a difference in all of your flying I promise. This will also help out in landing it. If you are trying to put the plane on the ground, you are working too hard on landings. With the down trim, already in place, the plane will bring itself to the ground ever so gently, then all you have to do is hold it from touching down until you are ready and then just let off of the elevator! It really is that simple. Even I can do it! The other key is to touch down close to the end of the runway. Set your idle low enough to give the needed braking for a slower landing, this will cut down the excitement and the roll out won't be so close to the other end of the runway. Don't take any other plane to the field when you fly the Gee Bee. I will take you longer to learn the Gee Bee because you have to change with each plane. This is a no brainer. Any new plane is gonna be different from those you are accustom to. They all fly different! I guarantee you that unless there is a built in design flaw, it shouldn't take more than ten flights to nail that little pig down. Also, burn a whole tank of fuel on a regular basis practicing landings, touch and go, touch and go, touch and go, touch and go! Get the idea? This will help you to know your plane in all flying attitudes. I have been flying for 44 years and I still will burn a full tank doing touch and go's. Short field landings too are critical. It will make a difference in landing in tall grass and risking tearing your landing gear off and other damage or being able to 'stick it' in. Some times you can't do anything but level the wings and hope for the best. Then there are the other times. Hope what I said makes sence. Please try it and let me know what you think. bird.
Posted on: 9/29/2009 10:33 PM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9134616

RE: GP GEE BEE
Rowdog, thanks for the info. I really couldn't afford one at this point. Things have become very difficult financially. It is all I can do to keep my current stable up and running. I am self employeed and it just isn't coming in. Any way, how are you coming 'the project' we discussed? Hope all is well. Take care buddy. bird. Here is my latest for a friend. It is a 64'' version of the 84" 1937 Super Buckaneer. Started covering it yesterday. Took a lot of mod's, I didn't do the undercamber airfoil and the placement of wing dowls were supposed to be half way down the fuse around the thrust line. Thinking about doing the big one this winter along with many others. Gonna be a busy winter. We actually fly on skis here. Neat! Later dude.
Posted on: 9/24/2009 8:59 PM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9121585

RE: GP GEE BEE
Somebody said that they discontinued this plane! Well, it is in this latest issue of the catalog! Sup? bird.
Posted on: 9/24/2009 12:18 AM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9119521

RE: GREAT PLANES/HOBBY SERVICES STEARMAN
Shubova, I could send you a patch or two but you could also visit your local hobby shop and purchase a roll of each. It is about $17. bucks of so there or a little over ten mail order. I really recommend the hobby shop as they are becoming extinct because of the mail order. Although mail order is cheeper and provide a greater selection, you will pay shipping on top of that and bring the price close to the shop price anyway. Also, the hobby shop serves the local community and helps get kids and others started in this sport relatively quick. So, it's your choice bud. Hope all goes well with your repairs. What a great flying plane, aye? I didn't realize how much I missed mine over the last three years until I got off the pot and finished repairing it. One thing about this bird, land it on the main wheels and then settle the tail. It will make a world of difference. It will three point but it's not as scale looking. Many will notice the difference. When you touch down, let off of the elevator, neutral or close, and it will level out and not bounce. It is the same with the cub, Gee Bee and many other planes. They tend to bounce and the more you try to re-flair the more extreme the bouncing till it comes to a possible violent stop! You take care buddy and remember, when the wheels are on top, down is up! hehe! Later. bird.
Posted on: 9/14/2009 9:47 AM by Author "bigbird3" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9094340