Gee Bee R-3 ARF Fantasy Scale Racer [Archive]

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Flyboone

May 23, 2008, 12:55 PM

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/images/dms890.jpg (http://www.hobby-lobby.com/geebee-r3.htm)

DMS890 Gee Bee R-3 ARF Fantasy Scale Racer

59" wingspan, 52-1/2" long, 620 sq. in. wing area, 7 lbs. 14 oz. flying weight. The Gee Bee R-3 is the design of Italian aircraft designer Mirco Pecorari. It is a "Fantasy Scale" aircraft and it has never been built as a full size airplane. There has been talk that a full size version may be built by Jim Kimball Enterprise. Donuts Models is the only company authorized to build Mr. Pecorari's design and they have done a brilliant job. The airplane is a combination of intricately laser cut balsa and ply construction combined with beautiful pre-finished fiberglass cowl and wheel pants. The top deck and canopy are one piece and pre-cut and held in place with magnets. The wings and tail are conventional wood construction pre-covered in heat shrink film. This is an airplane for the experienced modeler and pilot. The assembly is not difficult but it requires some prior experience and some skill to complete. The airplane was inspired by the giants of air racing's past and its performance is every bit the racer. The airplane is quick and very aerobatic. It looks fast standing still and looks fantastic flying by at full speed. Not for the faint of heart. For 4-channels: Ailerons (2 servos), Elevator, Rudder and Throttle.

For more information click HERE (http://www.hobby-lobby.com/geebee-r3.htm)

Use this thread to discuss any and all things related to Gee Bee R-3 ARF Fantasy Scale Racer

JustinMoore12

May 23, 2008, 10:17 PM

Wow thats stunning. If only i had more money :rolleyes:

baldwinc

May 28, 2008, 05:30 AM

I know I'll be ordering one soon! I LOVE IT!!!!!

Wind_of_Change

Jun 23, 2008, 12:50 AM

It really bugs that I got a nice Hobby Lobby flyer in the mail that said 20% off, and showed this plane on it. But when I got on to buy one, the sale was for in stock items only, and this plane had never even been in stock yet because it's a new item. Lame advertising! :p

jackosmeister

Aug 21, 2008, 01:32 AM

This thing looks awesome, I so want one.

Looking at power options for it the the recommended AXI 4130/16 and a 16x10 prop on 6S dont give very good numbers according to my calc. Am i doing something wrong or is this a good setup on this aircraft? 60Mph pitch speed doesnt seem like it matches those looks!

I wonder how a scorpion HK4035-630 with a 12x12.5 pattern prop on 6S would fly it. Any suggestions?

dswitkin

Feb 18, 2009, 10:14 PM

Does anyone have hands-on experience with this plane? How was the build? How does it fly? How has it held up over time?

Thanks,
Daniel

Happymcc

Feb 19, 2009, 10:05 PM

I am building one right now . I have purchased a Saito FG20 for power and
it needs the nose weight . The batteries are on the firewall and it looks
like it is going to balance .
I am trying to find out if I need to use the flying wires . I have figured a
way to brace the wheel struts and just don't want the wires . It looks
to me that the wing tube is plenty strong enough .

dswitkin

Feb 20, 2009, 08:32 PM

I would check with Hobby-Lobby whether the flying wires are required. Personally I think they look cool and add a nice scale touch, so I'd use them either way. But don't skip them if they are functional, or you'll be flying on borrowed time.

Daniel

Happymcc

Feb 20, 2009, 09:35 PM

I got a reply from Donuts models today , did not get a reply from Hobby Lobby
Donuts the manufacture said they were not functional but there to support
the wheels and if I could figure out a support for them that would be fine .
I have to disassemble for transport , there in are my thoughts .

Flyboone

Feb 21, 2009, 12:59 PM

I responded to your PM with the same information. The tube should be plenty to hold the wings on.

Thanks,
Jason Cole

dswitkin

Feb 21, 2009, 09:47 PM

I responded to your PM with the same information. The tube should be plenty to hold the wings on.

Thanks,
Jason Cole
Sorry you guys didn't make it out to the WRAM Show this year. I was hoping to drool over the R3 in person.

Daniel

Happymcc

Feb 22, 2009, 12:21 PM

[QUOTE=Flyboone]I responded to your PM with the same information. The tube should be plenty to hold the wings on.

Thanks,
Jason Cole[/QUOTE)
Thanks Jason
I am still not sure which way I am going to go but thank you for the reply

Flyboone

Feb 23, 2009, 10:36 AM

Let me ask you this, why wouldn't you use the flying wires?

Jason

Happymcc

Feb 23, 2009, 11:22 AM

I was thinking about a couple things .
Ease of assembly , I have to take it apart for transport .
And let me make one problem into a question .
Have you had any problems with the wires trying to tear
the screws out of the wing or fuselage ?
To me the plane looks just as good without the wires
But I think I am going to use them after all .
I have done some close inspection and I see some hard wood
blocks in the wing going form top to bottom where the wires
are attached .

Flyboone

Feb 23, 2009, 02:23 PM

Yeah, we just leave our put together. That would be a pain to take the wings off all the time. We haven't had any problems with the attach points being ripped out and I've had some pretty crazy cross wind landings. They are plenty strong if you ask me.

Thanks,
Jason Cole

Happymcc

Feb 23, 2009, 02:54 PM

always flying

Mar 18, 2009, 11:54 PM

Intrested to see video,and or pictures of this beauty!

mannyh

Happymcc

Mar 19, 2009, 12:04 AM

Intrested to see video,and or pictures of this beauty!

mannyh
Check out Youtube there are many

FD Pilot

Aug 26, 2009, 09:08 PM

dswitkin

Aug 26, 2009, 09:42 PM

Dudes,

The Gee Bee R3 is Blowout Sale at Hobby Lobby for $270! I just bought one, I've been lusting after this airplane ever since it came out. I'm really jazzed, this is a birthday present to myself.
I saw that, it's very tempting. I wonder what that means for parts in the future.

Daniel

Happymcc

Aug 26, 2009, 09:46 PM

Just for you information
The plane takes off and fly's great , Landings on the other hand are lots of fun .

dswitkin

Aug 26, 2009, 09:50 PM

By fun, you mean scary? I bet you need to keep the speed up. Have you tried flaperons?

Daniel

aero104

Aug 26, 2009, 10:32 PM

I think you will still be able to get parts from www.Donuts-models.com

maybe?

Chris

ScaleNVYflyr

Aug 26, 2009, 10:38 PM

I'm so tempted too, but I have two others on the bench. I'm only concerned that the model production will be stopped. I guess I will risk that.. Momma needs some diamonds first!

Flyboone.. should I worry about production stopping on this kit or is the sale just that..

dswitkin

Aug 27, 2009, 08:43 AM

Thanks Chris. Any chance you can ask Donuts to make a 46" or 48" version of the R-3? I'd pay up to $200 for that and snap it up in a second.

Daniel

Flyboone

Aug 27, 2009, 09:55 AM

FD Pilot

Aug 27, 2009, 11:37 AM

We're just closing it out. It will still be available from Donuts Models.

Thanks,
Jason Cole

Jason,

Why is HL not going to carry the Gee Bee R3 anymore? Donut Models is not in the US so parts will be expensive. Nuts! - I think the one I just bought will end-up a display model now :(

ScaleNVYflyr

Aug 27, 2009, 11:02 PM

We're just closing it out. It will still be available from Donuts Models.

Thanks,
Jason Cole

Well I'm sad to see that but I'm happy I didnt' buy one now!

dswitkin

Aug 28, 2009, 11:00 AM

We're just closing it out. It will still be available from Donuts Models.

Thanks,
Jason Cole
Too bad. This is hands-down my favorite plane Hobby Lobby has ever carried. I was literally drooling last year at NEAT when I saw it in person.

Daniel

Flyboone

Aug 28, 2009, 12:45 PM

We'll have some cool new stuff to drool over this year too!

Jason

zedhead

Sep 02, 2009, 10:39 PM

Dudes,

The Gee Bee R3 is on Blowout Sale at Hobby Lobby for $270! I just bought one, I've been lusting after this airplane ever since it came out. I'm really jazzed, this is a birthday present to myself.
I just bought one too and the box fairy delivered it yesterday! However, mine came without a manual. HobbyLobby is closed now so I cant talk to them until tomorrow. I'm assuming there is supposed to be a manual or this thread would be full of questions about the CG and control throws, etc. So, is there a manual?

ScaleNVYflyr

Sep 02, 2009, 11:51 PM

. So, is there a manual?

did you look on the website?

zedhead

Sep 03, 2009, 08:44 AM

> did you look on the website?

Yes, looked at the donuts-models website -- don't know what language it is, but it aint English! Despite that, I was able to guess at most of it and poke around their site but didnt find any manuals for any of the donuts planes.

Flyboone

Sep 03, 2009, 10:18 AM

The manual is on our web page for the Gee Bee here http://www.hobby-lobby.com/geebee_r3.htm?pSearchQueryId=173939 Click the Instructions/Reviews tab to get to it.

Thanks,
Jason Cole
Hobby Lobby

zedhead

Sep 03, 2009, 02:39 PM

Thanks for the reply Jason. Somehow I overlooked that tab before I asked my question. D'oh. So I called Hobby Lobby's customer service during my drive to work this morning and the emailed .pdf was waiting for me in my inbox when I got to my desk. WuHoo!

Also, I gotta say that I am still blown away by the AMAZING finish, covering job, and overall appearance of this ARF. Wow! I drooled over the fuselage for 15 minutes before I realized that it wasn't fiberglass! And then I discovered the hatch. There is not even one single wrinkle anywhere on the the fuselage or wings. Not one.

LNLP

Sep 26, 2009, 07:59 PM

Please note that Hobby Lobby is showing that they are selling the
GEE Bee R-3 still, but the price has risen to $409.00.

Jason, does the new kit differ in anyway from the one I bought
on sale? LNLP :)

Flyboone

Sep 28, 2009, 10:09 AM

Nope, there's only ever been one version of this one.

Jason

marcel76

Oct 13, 2009, 12:17 PM

Hi,
Just got the information from Hobby-Lobby customer service chat that they don't have the GeeBee R3 anymore and that they do not have any plans to re-stock in the near future. That's really bad news. This is such a good looking plane and I really would like to get one.
-Marcel

perttime

Oct 13, 2009, 02:01 PM

Marcel, why don't you get it from France?
Check Donuts Models.

marcel76

Oct 13, 2009, 04:51 PM

Marcel, why don't you get it from France?
Check Donuts Models.
Sorry, I should have read all the posts in the thread. Thanks for your reply.
I will get on of these beauties. :-)
Marcel

perttime

Oct 14, 2009, 03:07 AM

It is a beauty :)
I noticed that you are from Switzerland and thought a European supplier would make sense anyway. Donuts also has a small flat foamy version...

There is one or more foamie designs here in the Foamies (Scratchbuilt) section too.

Falcone

Nov 12, 2009, 12:33 PM

marcel76, just bought one of those (couldn't resist, but its gonna be static display only :D) at eFlite, see http://www.eflight.ch/shop/USER_ARTIKEL_HANDLING_AUFRUF.php?darstellen=1&Kategorie_ID=408&Ziel_ID=3039&anzeigen_ab=0&sort=&order=&PEPPERSESS=2b6ecc17fe37abf317a8e36bab571d61
They're on sale, but only a couple of 'em left!

Jason thanks for the instructions, they were none in my box either :cool: