A&D Aircraft 20cc Gee Bee R3

[Doozer]

Just poppin' in to say it's been slow goin'. I'm not going to put any images up tonight because I've been working on the plane all day and I'm pretty tired. There's a lot to say, but it will have to wait until I'm fresh enough to say it.

I was hoping to get it done in three days.... but I don't think so. I want to fly tomorrow too so....


who knows ::shrug::

[19000rpm]

It seems there is always more work than first meets the eye when putting an ARF together.

[Doozer]

;D


Not finished yet though. I haven't installed any of the tail hardware or electronics. It has a pull pull rudder, but I think I'm going to use an aftermarket pull pull system. I also want another rx. This one came out of the Pitts. It was safe to crank it up with, but I don't trust it in the air.

Also, I've taken a ton of pics, so the build is going to take some time. However, I kind of feel burned by this one. The plane is a beauty, but the QC at A&D sucks. The text of the manual is useless; parts were broken; hinges were yellowed from heat and small; the two zip ties to the hold the gas tank snapped like balsa wood... I could go on... really, not just saying that. I've spent a ton money salvaging this plane, and lets not forget that I'm still owed money for shipping (paid for USPS priority, got UPS ground but got charged for 3 day shipping ). Many emails and phone calls... promises.... no follow through.

While it certainly is a gorgeous bird, and fun to sink my teeth into, I wouldn't recommend this kit to anyone unless it's price reduced. $250 out the door is top dollar. I paid close to $500. BOHICA!!! These kits have sat around in the heat, and that's obvious. My Pitts was a better ARF.

Anyway... I've still got some work to do, so I'll put up the build when it's complete.

[19000rpm]

Yeah, I know what you mean about iffy stuff in some of these kits. It's usually advisable to do what you think is a better solution. It's way better than looking down at a hunk of smoking, mangled junk and saying to yourself, "I wish I'd made that #@$% )(*&^ mod!"

Paying more than you needed to for a model is never a pleasant experience even if you get good service to go a long with it. If you strike out on both counts; then it's bound to leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Speaking of carppy service: Cermark called yesterday to see if they could fill my order. They've had 3 opportunities over the last 2 months (even prior to their warehouse move) to fill the order. I declined. I told them at this point I'd wait 'til Spring. Which I may do, if that taste in my mouth goes away.

Anyway, that new R3 of yours is going to be really nice in the air. That will make the memories of less than stellar price and service seem somewhat less important.

[Doozer]

Finished!!!!

Added the build post. Going to try and maiden tomorrow. ;D

[19000rpm]

Nice build post. You overcame the hardware deficiencies and all went pretty smooth after that.

Looking forward to the maiden vid! Good luck!

[Doozer]

Didn't get to maiden today. It looked like rain early on. Then I needed to go by a Robart portable aircraft stand. The Gee Bee is just a missile without it's wings and needs some support for the ride. I can't have it rolling around in the car. By that time, my camera man had to go to work, and we scrubbed today.

So today, I took the wings off and labeled each set of wires so I know what goes where. Surprisingly it's a simple process to remove the wings, on both planes. I wish I would have just bit the bullet and done this all along. It takes about 2 minutes to break down or set up the Gee Bee. Just release the flying wire clevises that are connected to the fuse, then unbolt the wings and that's it. The Bipe took 5 minutes. I think now I'll have room for at least one more plane ;D

Tomorrow looks promising and my camera man has the day off from work.

[Doozer]

Wasn't Pretty
Film @ 11

[19000rpm]

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo No!

[akent]

Oh man!
I just read the build thread and you did an outstanding job there, Doozer!

What happened today?

Ugh....
Kent

[Doozer]

I haven't even been able to watch the video yet.....

I had a feeling yesterday when I saw a brand new Spektrum 7610 rx flicker a bit @ close range. So I range checked it about 10 times... and I couldn't get it to flicker again. As you guys know I've been using and IBEF, and I changed everything from the Pitts except that. That's really the only thing that could have caused the loss of signal.

I was dealing with some serious trim issues for about a minute, then it leveled out for about two seconds and wouldn't respond to stick input. I got it back for about 10 seconds then it went in. Seemed longer...

Like I said, I haven't watched the video, and I'm telling you this all by memory but I'm really really bummed. I contemplated getting out of the hobby, but it was just a momentary lapse of reason. I've rededicated myself, but I will never use any more electronics from a crash again. Especially if I'm unclear what caused the crash. This lesson stung a bit more than most, but has made me stronger.

Literally a pile of sticks.... It's in a body bag right now. I'll put the video up when I can stand to watch it.

[akent]

Well, if you reorient your mind to actually enjoy crashes, then it becomes MUCH better!!

That's what I have done! Crashes are inevitable, but for me at least, my dumb thumbs are most of the reason, and if a crash is less than spectacular, then I am not as happy! I love a spectacular crash!

Now, if one happens to be someone elses, then they might be ultra-pissed, but I try to calm them down when it was spectacular!

What I have done is this:
1. If I crash, I am sad in my own mind if it wasn't spectacular! I mean a complete explosion!
I have more than a few examples of this:
1. I crashed a 2,300 watt Funjet into the parking lot of the flying field at an estimated 160+mph. The only electronic part we could find was the label to the receiver and some motor pieces. We never found any parts for the servos or ESC! Those just disappeared!
2. I crashed my next 2,500 watt Funjet #2 during a high speed pass down the runway. I found the limits of the airframe there, as it exploded. The battery ended up over 500 feet away. The rest was completely destroyed, but not as badly as in #1!

I have also crashed 5 E-F1 racers so far! (Electric Formula 1) racers. These go about 120mph or so. They are great fun to fly! I had one mid air with one! That was awesome!

Then there have been lots of lesser crashes. I love them all! But not the point that I do them on purpose! It's just when chit happens, you can either be upset about it, or happy about it! I choose the latter!

Take care, and man, I'm sorry I missed witnessing some of your crashes!
Kent

[r/c basher]

I feel for ya Dooz, crashing on the maiden is about one of the worst things that can happen in the hobby.

Not to get off topic but I've had a similar but not nearly as bad experience with my Alpha 40. The engine has never ran right from day 1. When I first got it the needles were set extremely lean and I didn't realize it because the engine comes with limiters thats "supposed" to keep people from damaging the engine by tuning lean, all it prevented me from doing was checking the needles because of the worthless limiters.

After taking the limiters off I found that my high speed needle was set at 1 1/4 turns from close and my low speed needle was set at 1 1/5 turns. This was already after 5 tanks of fuel, after reseting my needles to a richer setting, my engine still didn't run right. No matter what my needles were set at, the engine was always too lean causing alot and I mean alot of dead stick landings.

Since then I've tried everything I could think of, checked for air leaks everywhere, I rebuilt the carb, replaced all the fuel line, the glow plug, and pressurized the tank for leaks. None of it helped.

Long story short, my Alpha is sitting on my bench with a busted nose from dead sticking in the field one too many times. I've been beyond fustrated with it, and decided to wait until spring before I decide what to do with it. I'm considering converting to electric.

[19000rpm]

Well, there just aren't words to express it any better than akent has. I actually have come around to that attitude for the most part. You've got to go with the crashes or you will have a lot of difficulty moving on in the hobby. Crashes are as inevitable as the idea that there is just "one" last plane you want is ridiculous.

I've used electronics from crashed planes with some success. And some failure. I'm very selective about what I use now.

Here's an R3 I'm thinking about. You might want to take a look. www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__24673__Gee_Bee_R3_1400mm_EPO_PNF_.html It might help getting back on the horse.

[akphill]

I posted this one in the general plank forum
and it is a size 30 cc geebee without all the window dressing

www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=23842