Flight report!
Well, the Golden Bee (original, stock) leaves the performance with much to be desired by modern standards! On 35' .008 lines it flew perfectly well in level flight and climbs and dives, but I didn't have the confidence to do more.
Mind you, this is well within the original intent and capability of the model, so that is NOT a criticism! Actually, we used to fly on 26' lines and think we were "hot stuff". Definitely about the state of the art for the time. (Yuk! I AM spoiled by modern engines and designs). It was solid on the lines at all times and not wallowing, yawing or any other nastyness, just flying.
It is clear that WAY more power and longer lines would be necessary to do stunts. This would be beyond the capabilities of engines at the time this plane was popular.
I love the look, and am really pleased to have done the project; it was one of those "someday" things when I was (way) younger. I will treasure it in my collection and fly it now and again just to regain lost youth. ( I am going to have to fly it daily to achieve much of that!)
Larry has moved the bellcrank and leadouts to the top of the wing, and I see why. My model rolls way out due to the under wing location that duplicates the original design. If I built another one, I would do an internal bellcrank in the fuselage with the guide on top of the wing. Not authentic, but better appearance and performance.
Thanks to Larry Rice for keeping this flame alive!
It is my custom to build a model at the Knights of the Round Circle booth at the AMA Convention in January. This year, BlackHawk sent me their twin engine Skyrocket to assemble. Hopefully, I can do the finish the first time, this time!
Stop by and say "Howdy"!