Old CL Gee Bee

gkamysz wrote:13.5" is 1/2" scale for the R-2 with the 27' wing. The 2.75" fuselage is more like the 25' span R-1 scaled to 13.5".

This has a nice color scan of the R-1. http://www.eliminatorprops.com/Gee-Bee-R-1-Pics.php?currDir=.&pageType=image&image=gbr1b.jpg&startFrom=1

Nice images.

I got the 1/32" scale GB today, way too small although the decals will work nicely.

More like 1/12" would do it, but none available in that scale. Canopy won't work either. Roberts nicely rendered templates came in at the same time.

I knew you were going to have some fun with that restore Robert. There is nothing in this hobby that I like better than giving an old derelict new life - plastic or balsa.

I have used this old Nicholson four-sided rasp for years to shape balsa. Using your templates it will get those balsa blocks shaped quickly, then rout out the interior.

I like your cradle, the 90 degree to set the engine, maybe a toothpick under the leading edge to give a little down thrust, the blind nuts in the mount and the rubber band hold downs. I might have to copy that idea when it comes time to gluing up.

The stone looks to be bigger than a Dremel, perhaps for a Harbor Freight tool. I have that set. Might be good for the fine work of routing out the interior by hand.

I should have added metal to that "plastic, balsa" list. I'm eagerly awaiting this beatup Tornado for the DBoy.



Easy to evaluate. Three non-standard case screws with one different. Probably one or more case threads hogged out. Head screws all buggered up. It might not be so much fun.

Happy that the Cub runs, and runs well. I was a little concerned about that after-market needle, but Ken says it's a great substiute.

Using your templates to best advantage Robert, but I think I could have got by with smaller balsa blocks. No matter, I will band saw off the excess and use it later. Better to have too much than too little.





My plan today was to burn off the brush pile, but it is way to windy to risk it, so I'm stuck inside.

Nothing wrong with adding cross grain tips to the wing.

Out of necessity as the airfoil SIG only measured 12". I will move the template down a bit to include the best camber when I cut it. Somehow I have the uneasy feeling that I'm really going to screw this thing up.

It is bitter out there, 19 degrees with wind........Wasn't going to, but..............out to the shed and the band saw, easier and quicker than with an exacto. With the band saw complaining about the cold I cut the thing.






I have stepped on your thread enough Robert, I'm going to start another and stop the confusion here that I might be creating.

rdw777 wrote:Wing blank looks good Bob….You’re welcome to stay in this thread….After all, Your rebuilds and salvages are what inspired me to give it a try… Fun stuff  

Oh, I'll still check in every day just to keep up.

Since you first started this thread I have searched every known avenue looking for a Gee Bee kit of this hollow log style and these dimentions. Nothing even close. I looked at every Scientific ad that I have in my library too. More nothing.

The hollowed out interior looks professionally done and smacks of a kit but now with your bell crank attachment picture, I'm not so sure. It looks to me like a one-off time consuming procedure that only an individual would undertake. Somebody loved your plane. But, the decals..........I would love to date them. Easy to find in any plastic Gee Bee kit.

The plot thickens.............

rdw777 wrote:Thanks for your research Bob, Me too with the same results….. I looked at several Scientific hollow log plans on OZ…. Looks like they used a wood “button” glued into to the wing then a wood screw into that to pivot the bellcrank on….. No big deal, Just interesting to try and find out who might have made it….I’ll add another washer on the bottom of the wing on mine…. Just the flange of the eyelet along with  the washer on top doesn’t look very secure….

Ya got me looking Robert. Out of all my eyelets I found just one that would work.

Not an exact duplicate, but close.

Adding to the mistique:

rdw777 wrote:That’s awesome!!….I can’t imagine what it would be like to climb in and fly something like that!!…. The photos will be great for final shaping the vertical tail and how the canopy fairs in, Thanks!

Heres hoping that you can retain most of its originality and blend in the tail section.

Looking GREAT Robert!!!

Here's a Perfect #233 1/2A bellcank.. just for the record.



and a side-view drawing for perspective..

Confusion factor.

I'm getting ready to cut balsa to position the wing but the horizontal stab on your model shows it placed in the same plane while the full scale model has it positioned well above.  





Before I cut anything I would like opinions about the best approach to take, in-line horizontal stab or above.  Above would be mostly a guesstimate and maybe present a more difficult solution to positioning the elevator control linkage.

roddies picture.





 Also now i'm wavering about where to place the bell crank, above or below the wing.  Above the wing easier but messy, below the wing presents a cleaner appearance.  

This in-line horizontal stab position would indicate a home-built, a kit would have it positioned as in the full-scale Gee Bee.