Gee Bee Model "D" Sportster

[PipesCS]

The ailerons are now part of the short kit.:)

The changes that went into the PT-19 wing changes worked out so well I put them in this wing. It takes less than an hour to frame it up and there is no longer a requirement to purchase extra wood as even the sheeting is laser cut for the center section.:wave::wave:

[PipesCS]

I have been down with a rough case of a sinus infection. Managed to start covering the parts and am getting ready to mount the motor and radio.

The longer tail and larger elevator/stab is not that obvious and will hopefully help with the ground handing.

[PipesCS]

Survived my sons Boy Scout Campout.

Have mounted the servos in the fuselage and started covering same. I need to cut out the head rest this today and tomorrow as I have a 2 week work trip to California. Work is always getting in the way.

My changes to the tail and ailerons worked well but I am still not satisfied with the way the lip of the cowl looks. I needed to have used a thicker piece of wood.

Had hoped to fly the Model Y this weekend but the weather has taken a turn for winter.

[PipesCS]

Had to stop. Work is in the way again.:mad::mad::mad:

Be working in Beautiful El Mirage Calif. for two weeks:roll2: If you know where this is you have been lost once in your life.

Managed to get the wing finished except the right aileron and mounting the servos

[PipesCS]

My job has had me on the road alot along with finally getting to a knee surgery that I had been putting off.

Now the boss around here is not letting me in the shop too much as I heal up.

I did manage to find a new female pilot figure to simulate Mary Haislip who raced the Model D during the 1931 season.

The covering is coming along slow and this photo also shows the larger battery compartment. When I started this model I was using 10C batteries. Now that the 20C are more popular I deepened the battery compartment.

[PipesCS]

In using a female pilot figure to show Mary Haislip as the pilot of the Model D during the 1931 National Air Race I became curious about her.

I found a copy of a letter from her husband Jimmy Haislip written to Henry Hafke in 1980 were he discribes his crash in the R-1 and this paragraph mentions Marys flying the Model D. It is signed with best wishes from Jimmy and Mary so she was still alive in 1980.

"My wife's experience with one of the smaller Gee Bees was confined to one race at Cleveland in 1931. Zantford came to us hurriedly one afternoon and asked if Mary would fly one of their airplanes in a Woman's Race. We were across the field from the starting line and the race was due to start in less than ten minutes. One of the boys taxied the Gee Bee across while we went by car. I showed Mary the ignition switch and the throttle and reminded her that after the race there was plenty of fuel to fly a little familiarization before landing which it turned out she didn't need. She placed in the race ahead of the other identical Gee Bee and turned the airplane back to the Granvilles in perfect condition. That year she had competed in seven different race events for women and had flown six different airplanes in them including one of her own that she flew in the Coast-to-Coast Derby. In all the contests she entered she placed either first or second to the delight and admiration of the other airplane owners."

As to the model I was able to get down the stairs and put on a little more covering.

Will try to post photos later.

[PipesCS]

Coming along.

Don't Tell the Wife....


I am not totally happy with the piece of Ultracoat around the nose bowl and may redo it.

Motor is mounted with only a little more covering and the shaping of the turtleback balsa

[PipesCS]

Put the new Model D next to the original

The original in the front was painted with Bahamas Blue to match the original.

Wanting to cover this one with Ultracoat and it is a close match onthe paint.

[PipesCS]

Went back to work after a long break. Carved out the headrest and hollowed it out today. managed to get one side covered and the rudder dry fitted.

Will try to have it finished out this weekend and get the decals on.

[PipesCS]

Managed to get the headrest covered and mounted, the control surfaces hung and three of the four servos mounted. Also the tail wheel is on now.

Thought about flying again but looks like another week of storms here in Northern Alabama.

[tandemairbike]

Outstanding job Charlie. Keep it up.

Terry :)

[PipesCS]

Hey there

How are you doing

I sent for new set of decals from Callie. I am adding to the rudder set.

Have the servos mounted and the ailerons hooked up. Wife on travel so not a lot going on with it right now. Kids are 24/7

[tandemairbike]

I am surviving.
doing a little flying when I can. Honey-do list is getting a little intense.

A little building, assembling and repairing occasionally.
Keeping an eye on what your doing too.

see ya.:wave:

[PipesCS]

Went back thru the tread to check some facts.

This is actually the third of the Model D I have built. Gee Bee II was never finished only being done to check the fit on some new parts after the first one

Gee Bee I is retired and hanging on the ceiling in the den.

I have all the equipment mounted now and did a weight check with a 20C 3S1P 2200 Lipo which is somewhat heavier than the original in the Gee Bee I.

All Up Weight with the Ultra Coat covering is 36 and a half oz. the original with a painted finish was 36 even.

The Tail is longer and I have gone to two servos on the ailerons. Cant explain the weight other than ultra coat must be lighter. I do remember Manfred used a film type covering and came in at 29 oz.

[PipesCS]

I spent the evening putting in all the radio and one I added to help with the looks was a shortend antenna. I have long ago thrown out the wrapper so cannot tell you what brand it is.

The original antenna on the Gee Bee I really stood out in the photos of it flying so I decided to go this route.

The reciever is a Berg four channel which I have had good luck with in the past.

[PipesCS]

I sent Callie a drawing of the cowl louvers.

I have thought about cutting them in but decided to look into a decal to simulate them.

She is going to cut them from a dark grey color.

[PipesCS]

I tried to send Callie a CAD drawing but our two systems were not compatable.

She was able to take a JPEG to trace over

[still4given]

I haven't read through the entire thread, but looked at many of the pictures. I built one of these years ago from a kit and have always wanted to do another. Are the plans available for purchase? I would love to get set.

Thanks, Terry

[PipesCS]

They are still free but I am having trouble with my mail. Send me a PM with your Email and I will try and get them to you somehow.

[still4given]

PM sent.

I tried to respond to your email but got an undeliverable notice. I can wait for you to send from work.

Thanks, Terry

[JohnR]

This was a nice built thread, thanks for sharing. I have always been a Gee Bee fan.