Author Topic: Gee Bee Stuntster (more pics 4-21-09) (Read 4539 times)

Phil Coopy · « **on:** February 24, 2009, 04:38:28 PM »

Making progress on the Gee Bee Stuntster (Sportster). Ordered a set of P-40 plans from Brodak and modified the wing plan to look similar to the Gee Bee model "D" sportster in appearance, and designed a stab/elevator similarly with the appropriate area to match the wing (560 sqrs). I have not yet finished on the fuselage construction design. I think I am going with 1/2 inch balsa with lots of lightening holes in low stress areas, lite ply doublers back to the spar, and balsa sheeting the rest of the way back. Today I cut out twenty wing ribs...phew. I'm going to use my usual finish method, $kote on the wing and stab and silkspan and dope on the fuselage. More later.................

Phil

Bootlegger · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2009, 05:26:27 PM »

Phil, That looks real nice, is the wing going to be straight L/E or tapered? Whatever, keep us posted on the progress.

Thanks, Gil

Phil Coopy · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2009, 05:49:15 PM »

Gil,

The modification I made to the wing makes it a straight leading edge like the Sportster had. I also changed the shape of the wing tip tp more closely match the scale appearance.

Phil

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2009, 08:20:44 PM »

I'd worry about the Lite Ply. If you use it, don't mount the engine or blind nuts on top of it...put them both directly onto the maple beams or put the engine on aluminum plates that sit on the maple. Balsa would probably work as well or better. You might look at some of Pat's recent "round engine" profile plans...the doublers are no more than 3" wide (high), with balsa above and below to blend it into the fuselage. Nice idea to save weight and expensive plywood.

Steve

Phil Coopy · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2009, 06:58:49 PM »

Got a little more done on the Bee Bee Stunster today. Built the rudder, fin, stab, and elevator out of scrap balsa I had laying around. Now I'm stuck till my order comes in from Balsa USA. Oh well...... Anyway Bill Hodges is coming by tomorrow morning, and we're gonna fly at Lake Wales. Anybody who wants drop by is welcome.

Phil

RC Storick · « **Reply #5 on:** February 26, 2009, 07:02:24 PM »

Quote from: PHIL COOPY on February 26, 2009, 06:58:49 PM

Got a little more done on the Bee Bee Stunster today. Built the rudder, fin, stab, and elevator out of scrap balsa I had laying around. Now I'm stuck till my order comes in from Balsa USA. Oh well...... Anyway Bill Hodges is coming by tomorrow morning, and we're gonna fly at Lake Wales. Anybody who wants drop by is welcome.

Phil

Hey Phil I don't have a ride can you send someone by to pick me up? (I can only hope)

Phil Coopy · « **Reply #6 on:** February 26, 2009, 07:52:25 PM »

Sure Sparky.......any volunteers out there?

Phil

Larrys4227 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 27, 2009, 04:46:20 AM »

Quote from: PHIL COOPY on February 26, 2009, 06:58:49 PM

Anyway Bill Hodges is coming by tomorrow morning, and we're gonna fly at Lake Wales. Anybody who wants drop by is welcome.

Phil

Too bad I got work in the way, otherwise I'd come over. Gonna be the better day, out of the next 2-3

Have fun! And post some pics!

FlySafe! Larry (Larrys4227)

Phil Coopy · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2009, 07:49:12 PM »

Finally got back on the Gee Bee Model D Sportster again. My balsa order finally came in and I picked up some parts at the Southeastern Model Show. The wing is pretty much framed up with the right amount of dihedral in it hopefully. Pics below don't show it too well but it's there. Well on to the fuse tomorrow unless the boss has plans for me.

Phil

Phil Coopy · « **Reply #9 on:** March 12, 2009, 11:07:33 AM »

Got the fuselage made last night. It's built up with 3/32 sheeting and carbon veil reinforced lite ply doublers. The wing has 7/8" dihedral on each side and a 4" bell crank assembly. So far I am up to 42 ounces with the engine, muffler, tank, and 1 roll of $kote figured in. Don't know what the weight of the dope for the fuse will amount to. I also still need to fair in the cowel so that should add a little weight. Hope I'm not building a boat anchor here............

Phil

John Stiles · « **Reply #10 on:** March 12, 2009, 05:45:32 PM »

Man-O-man, that's one cool lookin plane in the bones....can't wait to see it covered....I dare ya to cover it in Chrome Monocoat!

Matt Colan · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2009, 05:48:55 PM »

Looks good Phil. Keep us posted

Ward Van Duzer · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2009, 09:53:30 AM »

Kool!

Ward-O

Bill Heher · « **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2009, 01:21:55 AM »

Phil- is that a Car I see in your shop? How do you manage to have room for all your planes, building equipment, tools, etc. and still get a car in there!
The last time I had a car in my garage Hurricane Charlie was trying to blow the door in and I was using the wifes new van and some 2X6 to brace it from the inside.

Plane looks good- are you gonna have it done in time to head over to Melbourne on 4/19?

Phil Coopy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 14, 2009, 09:34:04 AM »

Good to hear from you Bill,

It's a tight squeeze but a Geo Tracker ain,t very big.

I'll be at Melbourne if I can get a kitchen pass.

Phil

Phil Coopy · « **Reply #15 on:** April 08, 2009, 07:11:03 PM »

Back on the GEE BEE again. Got it covered and primed. Waiting for soem brown dope to tint the creme so it will match the creme $kote. May even have it done for the IRKS fly in if I can keep on it long enough to get it finished. We'll see...depends on how long the honey-do list is this week.

Phil

Roger Vizioli · « **Reply #16 on:** April 08, 2009, 07:54:31 PM »

Quote from: PHIL COOPY on April 08, 2009, 07:11:03 PM

Back on the GEE BEE again. Got it covered and primed. Waiting for soem brown dope to tint the creme so it will match the creme $kote. May even have it done for the IRKS fly in if I can keep on it long enough to get it finished. We'll see...depends on how long the honey-do list is this week.

Phil

Phil,
Please bring it even if it is not finished. I have asked Walt Umland to bring the G-Comedian even if it is not finished.

Roger

Bill Heher · « **Reply #17 on:** April 09, 2009, 06:03:58 AM »

Well as usual my addiction to my paycheck will have to take precedence over my addiction to C/L. I have to Travel starting on Easter Sunday and wont be back for a few weeks, so I will miss the IRKS event. ^#&^*&&^@!!!!

I even got the F-86 to the point where I was ready for Robert to coach me on panel lines, and I won't get a chence to do that before I go.

The only bright spot is that I managed to adjust the schedule so I get to Portland the evening before the Fireball's contest- so I can go hang out with them for a day.

Oh yeah- a couple of pics- one of the Sabre, and a couple others to show why it isn't finished- the boss was tired of stepping on the grass when she got in / out of the car. She even had a gaurd posted to make sure I did everything right.

Leo Mehl · « **Reply #18 on:** April 10, 2009, 09:36:00 AM »

Quote from: Bill Heher on April 09, 2009, 06:03:58 AM

Well as usual my addiction to my paycheck will have to take precedence over my addiction to C/L. I have to Travel starting on Easter Sunday and wont be back for a few weeks, so I will miss the IRKS event. ^#&^*&&^@!!!!

I even got the F-86 to the point where I was ready for Robert to coach me on panel lines, and I won't get a chence to do that before I go.

The only bright spot is that I managed to adjust the schedule so I get to Portland the evening before the Fireball's contest- so I can go hang out with them for a day.

Oh yeah- a couple of pics- one of the Sabre, and a couple others to show why it isn't finished- the boss was tired of stepping on the grass when she got in / out of the car. She even had a gaurd posted to make sure I did everything right.

Looking forward to seeing you Bill. I hope we will have good weather as usual. It is spring and anything can happen.

Phil Coopy · « **Reply #19 on:** April 11, 2009, 06:12:57 PM »

Took a while to get a paint match to the monokote creme color but with the help of my wifes' keen eye for color it's pretty close. Had a lot of the trouble with the blue from Brodak because it had a lot of solid blue specks of pigment in it that I couldn't filter out. I guess it will have to do for this version.

Phil

Bill Hodges · « **Reply #20 on:** April 12, 2009, 06:22:37 AM »

Phil, it looks great!! See you in Cocoa.

Bill Hodges

Matt Colan · « **Reply #21 on:** April 12, 2009, 06:28:37 AM »

Looks good Phil!!!

Roger Vizioli · « **Reply #22 on:** April 12, 2009, 07:23:07 AM »

Quote from: Bill Heher on April 09, 2009, 06:03:58 AM

Well as usual my addiction to my paycheck will have to take precedence over my addiction to C/L. I have to Travel starting on Easter Sunday and wont be back for a few weeks, so I will miss the IRKS event. ^#&^*&&^@!!!!

I even got the F-86 to the point where I was ready for Robert to coach me on panel lines, and I won't get a chence to do that before I go.

The only bright spot is that I managed to adjust the schedule so I get to Portland the evening before the Fireball's contest- so I can go hang out with them for a day.

Oh yeah- a couple of pics- one of the Sabre, and a couple others to show why it isn't finished- the boss was tired of stepping on the grass when she got in / out of the car. She even had a gaurd posted to make sure I did everything right.

Bill,
When you return, please contact me. We can set up an unofficial "Mini Fly In". Naturally, all will be welcome to attend this one also.
We cut an "extra" circle yesterday (about 120' dia), with grass about 3" high, for use by the combat flyers and "possible" training flights.
Phil,
Looking good!
send me an e-mail if you want to come over early for test flights!
Roger

Joe Bowman · « **Reply #23 on:** April 12, 2009, 07:42:40 AM »

Phil, That looks super. Hope you had good luck with the panther logo you were in searcing for earlier. I bet it will fly good too. It just "looks right".

Joe

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #24 on:** April 12, 2009, 11:01:42 AM »

With all this Gee Bee activity, I'm also in! But now I'm looking for the "Gee-Bee" script logo that goes on the rudder. Should be about 3" across. A decal would be OK, but a paint stencil even better. I would even make do with original art work that I can send off for a vinyl decal.

I'm not very good at free-hand artwork!

Floyd in OR

Phil Coopy · « **Reply #25 on:** April 21, 2009, 07:26:36 PM »

Floyd,

I sort of found one for my project after googling for awhile, copied it and cleaned it up a bit. For the panther I had to adapted one from clip art. I can send you .jpg's if you like.

Phil

Terry Bolin · « **Reply #26 on:** April 22, 2009, 07:05:22 AM »

Love the plane! Good look and colors. would you want to share the plans that you modified?
Keep posting pics.
T

Joe Bowman · « **Reply #27 on:** April 22, 2009, 07:40:51 AM »

OUTSTANDING

Matt Colan · « **Reply #28 on:** April 22, 2009, 08:28:17 AM »

Looks Great Phil!!!

john e. holliday · « **Reply #29 on:** April 22, 2009, 07:43:48 PM »

That blue and white Gee Bee is absolutely gorgeous. I say you have to be a fanatic to go to that much detail. Hope it flies as well as it looks. DOC Holliday

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #30 on:** April 23, 2009, 08:52:47 AM »

I dig it,, but then I am a sucker for Gee Bees,, let us know how it flies,, SOON