Re: Old CL Gee Bee

rsv1cox Sat Jan 11, 2025 1:17 pm

944_Jim wrote:I'm jonesing to build a flying CL one after this thread began.

I resuscitated an old color printer on one of my deployments. Then I printed a copy of a free paper "kit" at 50% so the wing was at about five inches. At this point I don't know what paper kit it was, but I do know it was red/white. I can't even remember if it had markings on it, or if was only panel lines and color.

While I have too much on my plate, the ideas for building my own flying copy at thirteen inches is keeping me awake late at night. So, like it or not, I need to start mine...even if only so I can start sleeping again!

Do it Jim. I know that Robert would agree. Two is company, but three is so much more fun!... Smile

Balsa blocks in 2" X 12" are only around $6.39 ea at Hobby Lobby.

gkamysz Sat Jan 11, 2025 2:00 pm

Oh, the art of Pepakura (papercraft). When my kids were younger, there were paper scraps everywhere from this.

rsv1cox Sat Jan 11, 2025 2:23 pm

rdw777 wrote:Yes Sir, 181 grams - 6.38 oz as found….Heavy for about 30 sq in….I lost 12g hollowing the shells, Not much…. I plan to make some new wheels that will let it loose a little more weight…

Did you check the balance at the same time? As our models are about the same dimentions it should help me locate the engine and the wing. Rule of thumb is about 1/2" to 3/4"/ 1" behind the wings leading edge.

rdw777 Sat Jan 11, 2025 3:36 pm

Hope you can start a Gee Bee build Jim…. Would be fun to see another one coming along… Very Happy

Hi Bob, I checked the balance before taking it apart… Was about 1/4” behind leading edge……Seems close to the leading edge on a 2-9/16 chord wing….I’m really not sure where the ideal point should be….I know it’s generally forward for CL but not the fine points for setting it….

rsv1cox Sat Jan 11, 2025 4:54 pm

rdw777 wrote:Hope you can start a Gee Bee build Jim…. Would be fun to see another one coming along…

Hi Bob, I checked the balance before taking it apart… Was about 1/4” behind leading edge……Seems close to the leading edge on a 2-9/16 chord wing….I’m really not sure where the ideal point should be….I know it’s generally forward for CL but not the fine points for setting it….

Do you want a fuel tank to replace that rusty one? I have a NIB example that I could send you. Have you ran the engine that came with it, or did I miss it?

Catching up to you.

Fuselage outline only, not part of the plane.

roddie Sat Jan 11, 2025 5:05 pm

944_Jim wrote:
While I have too much on my plate, the ideas for building my own flying copy at thirteen inches is keeping me awake late at night. So, like it or not, I need to start mine...even if only so I can start sleeping again!

Oh I know that feeling all too well Jim! Smile

rdw777 Sat Jan 11, 2025 5:42 pm

Starting to look like a Gee Bee Bob, Great!!….I like the rasp with the handles, I have one like that, Works great!…. Thanks for the offer of the tank, I took the old one apart and cleaned it up enough to work just to tinker with it… It should be fine… Also considering an Andras style ballon tank…. Could loose another six grams if we did…..
I think the Cub will be fine…. Ran good enough on the test stand to be optimistic…. Kinda goes with the plane too….

rsv1cox Sat Jan 11, 2025 6:43 pm

It's my Bondo shaver Robert. It works on balsa but the little red plane works better.

60 grit paper really removes the balsa and using "shoe-shine" action rounds the fuselage nicely. Rough sanding and forming mostly done, time to get out the 100 and finer grits.

I will have to make a cockpit module and glue it on. I don't have a clue as how to go about it. Sad

**944_Jim** Sat Jan 11, 2025 7:10 pm

Bob,
For this size canopy I say "water bottle/form/hair drier" does it.

rsv1cox Sun Jan 12, 2025 7:41 am

944_Jim wrote:Bob,
For this size canopy I say "water bottle/form/hair drier" does it.

I found this picture of the canopy, front view. Face looks flat, I was thinking styrene cuts, testors Red Tube etc.

I would like to put a pilots head rest in red viewed from outside the cockpit.

rdw777 Mon Jan 13, 2025 6:51 pm

Test fitting for the missing fin and canopy ….Not really the scale shape of the rear of a Gee Bee fuselage so I took a few liberties…. Not glued down yet…. Will save that for later in the project after some more repairs are completed….

rsv1cox Tue Jan 14, 2025 8:06 am

Same thought Robert, only I made mine as a two piece thinking that I might use the canopy module as a buck to make a plastic canopy. But, I will probably just paint it blue and let it go like that. Still, lot's of forming/sanding to do on it. I may sand in that little pointed flair on the bottom of the rudder.

rdw777 Today at 12:12 pm

I decided to use the tank that came with it so I made a mount to elevate it to the center line of the fuse…. I also cut an opening in the front of the wing to accommodate the tank…. I made a plywood brace to reinforce the wing which also serves as an anchor for a bicycle spoke that will hold the two fuse halves together…. The wing will eventually be glued to the top shell and stay with that part….. Using a bike spoke for a joiner was a great idea Kari, Thanks!!….. A little extra work for a simple hollow log but I enjoy tinkering with it….

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