I am in the process of making a semi-tribute Gieseke Nobler modeled closely on Bob's '75 - '76 era machines.  I have amassed a fair number of photos, mostly from forums, and the web, but none really indicate the level of cockpit detail. My best guess is; no pilot, partial seat (in red?), and perhaps an instrument panel in black.  Does anyone recall any details from back in the day?

I have never met Bob but I read about his recent mishap and I sincerely hope he makes a full recovery!

Thanks!
Paul Raley

1970's new england nats    Note I think this is from early 1980's maybe 1985???

Yesterday, I found a Gieseke Nobler photo --- and I've already forgotten where I found it...

I noticed something on both of Bob's Noblers. These are two different models but both have the turtle deck stop in front of the rudder. I always fill in the area over the stab to match the turtle deck,but it looks like he did not.
Ed

What makes you say they are two different models, Ed? The only two differences I see are the sticker on the outboard wingtip and the black (?) on the wing near the fuselage. Stuff like that is often put on to camoflage damage repair. Am I missing something else? Steve

I never noticed the turtle back detail in these photos, but you are right, it does seem to terminate at the front of the stab in these pictures.  I have a black and white photo from the Wynn Paul article in Model Aviation about the Gieseke Nobler that clearly shows that Bob's '75 Nats winner DID have the turtle back that extended OVER the stab per the kit plans. 

I wonder why he changed it? A bit more effective stab and/or fin area?

Paul Raley

Steve   I believe there is 10 years between the two Noblers. I checked the album that the photo came out of and it is marked 1985 Nats with several well known stunt pilots models. I did not take the photos as I was living in Florida at the time. The pictures were taken by Dave Merrithew now deceased from Binghamton NY. Dave and his son won several FF events at that Nats. I met Bob two times at Dallas contest when I was in Huston visiting my Brother in Law in the early 1980's and he told me that he used two different wings in the Nobler. I think the picture I posted is the 48" wing span model that he said he prefered over the 50" wing. The paint job is quite a bit different if you look close. The canopy is different and the black paint goes all the way around it. Rudder fin is larger on my Photo. My picture is cropped a lot as Bob's son is in the picture also. Also he told me he had some versions that used very narrow flaps.
Ed