Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / June 2004

I know it's not the size you wanted, but it is a nice looking kit...

http://www.adrianpage.com/zpage.html

FredD

For my part I wholeheartedly recommend Adrian's Gee Bee Z. I bought it some
18 months ago, finished it some 16 months ago, and had fun all the time. I
haven't tried Kyosho's model that also looks great, and the fuse is made of
fiberglass, but from what I read on the Net, it's noticeably heavier than
Adrian's design.

BTW, Adrian is nice guy that promptly replies to e-mails, and from some
other guys on this group I heard he's also available on the phone too.

Regarding looks, the kit is as close to the scale as you like it to be. Even
though ailerons are not scale, the scale outline is given in the plans, so
you can make scale ones if you like. I didn't bother.

There's also a lot, and I mean *a lot* of details on that plans, so if
you're one of those patient guys (which I am not) - nock yourself out.

Building the plane is a joy - everything is laser cut, fits perfectly, the
balsa is extremely light and hand picked, and I guess the framework, prior
to scaling, could be finished in a week, without breaking a sweat.

Flying is also extremely pleasant. Don't listen to those old geezers on the
field who will comment on Gee Bee's stubby appearance. In my case they've
all told me it would be a bitch to hold straight on the runway, but it
really wasn't. I'm no expert flyer, but I repeat, on normally maintained
runway it doesn't swirl sideways more than any other taildragger I flew.
Just add throttle nice and easy, don't shove it all the way up all of the
sudden, and you'll have no problems.

Flying is vice free. The plane is very light, and if you set the throws as
recommended (later on you can increase rudder and ailerons, but I wouldn't
recommend increasing throws on the elevator) and CG as per plans, anyone can
fly this plane.

However, there are some bad habits.

First, I would recommend removing tailskid from the rudder and attaching it
to the end of the fuse thus making it fixed. It is not scale, but the skid
is very rigid and I hade the whole rudder separated from the plane on
several occasions flying from the grass field. From paved runway it probably
wouldn't happen, but maybe it would.

Also, the method for fixing pants and spats on LG is somewhat complicated
and not robust enough. For the time being, I removed them from the plane,
and am thinking of making them completely different - out of blue foam
snugly fit on LG wires, and then glass coated and epoxied and painted.

Also, since the engine is pretty high above the ground, the plane will have
some tendency to nose over on TO roll and landing run, but don't be tempted
to move CG further back or to increase control throws on elevator - big
mistake (ask me how I know...).

Also, I would like to see Adrian add the decals for reg. no. and racing no.
in the kit, because you have to cut those on your own, which is in my
opinion unnecessary complication. (There is a sheet with other stickers for
the plane, but no registry numbers and racing number "4").

Anyway, sorry for such a long post, but I thought I have to share my
experience with this kit with other guys in this hobby. :-)

Cheers

Drago

Hi Ted;

Adrian's Gee Bee Z seems to be the consesus here, and I must agree...

If the size doesn't suit you, perhaps you could ask for the plans only and
scale them up.  I scaled them down quite a bit, and the plane still flew
great.

Dan.