Have a Kyosho Gee Bee Z on the way (Toward the end of the month). Would like any recommendations for power setup. Have not actually done a conversion on a slimmer arf like this, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Can be seen at: http://www.kyosho.co.jp/main-ee.html
Scroll down and click on listing for the GeeBeeZ to see specs and pics. Thanks, Paul

I just heard about a new CO2 motor that should fit this application perfectly!
http://www.bouyah.com/sdf/planes/ter...s/co2motor.jpg

That's an original, I don't think I've seen anyone do one of them yet. Keith Shaw did an R model a few years back with a geared Astro FAI 25 and 16 cells. It did, or should I say he did superb knife edge flight the length of the field. He claimed the worst trait the plane had was taking off and landing. The Z model has a bit longer fuse so it may be a smoother flyer. I might even go for a geared 20 cell motor. The 2000 Nimh cells would help to greatly decrease weight.

Wow! That's a good airfoil (NACA 2414) and with a 55 inch wing, the only thing dicey is the approx 36 inch length of the fuselage. It may be longer than the "other" barrel that flys, but not much!

I would do the model with 14-16 cells, using the MEC SuperBox to play with gear rations so I had enough power to fly well - even though flights might be in the 3-5 minute range - and when I got more used to it, go to more cells (regearing for best power/prop/length of flight).

Sure is attractive! I will have to call Tammies Hobbies and see what the price - and the wait - is.

Terry

Sure, Terry, let's see THAT on floats at Pine Hollow this July!! Lessee, if you power it in your usual fasion - what, 30 cells?

(sorry, I couldn't resist )

Be interesting to compare it to the Page Aviation kit of the Z I've got one of those to convert but can't seem to find my "round tuit"

Keith Shaw's R2 - saw it at KRC at the Bub Lehigh field, didn't seem to have any problems getting up and down, and the flying bit was good inbetween. Keith did say that his 16 cell version weighed less than most glow powered ones built from that plan.

Funny how the Pac Rim builds all those models and they never get lighter than ones we balsa butchers run up in our shops ?

I've heard of the Page Aviation ones being a little interesting to fly, but those were also overweight. I was looking at 16 cells, a MaxCim and a big prop on mine. 2000 nimh cells would allow a lower flying weight - no disadvantage as the flight profile would be mostly 'flat'. Have never heard of any of the full sized replicas being looped, the R2 has such a narrow band between flat out and stall that its unlikely it could loop from what I've read of it.

Heck, that shape - take off, blast around the patch, few fast 'pylon' turns, maybe one inverted and one knife edge pass and land. That should make you conversation topic #1 for a long while.

Good luck, keep us posted.

Dereck

I drooled over this ARF at Toledo, it sure was good looking. I got to heft it tho, and I'm sure it weighs all of its projected 6.4lbs. It should be around 8.5lbs with 16 cells, 511 sq in, that's about 38.5oz/sq ft wing loading. Is anyone flying anything that heavy?

Azarr
www.azarr.com

Originally posted by Azarr:
I drooled over this ARF at Toledo, it sure was good looking. I got to heft it tho, and I'm sure it weighs all of its projected 6.4lbs. It should be around 8.5lbs with 16 cells, 511 sq in, that's about 38.5oz/sq ft wing loading. Is anyone flying anything that heavy?

Azarr
www.azarr.com

I flew a Robbe Dornier 228 on 14 cells @ 36.5 ounces per square foot for a couple years - the wing was 400 square inches. My Mig-17 has a 225 square inch wing and it flying @ 35.5 at the moment. I'd be a little concerned landing a tail dragger with wheel spats on grass at that wing loading. The approach isn't too hard if you are good, it is the rollout that's problematical, best to start out with a plywood fin...

I bet you could finish it at 7.5lbs with 16 cells because of the IC components you won't use, and by going to mini/micro servos and a lightweight brushless power system. That still leaves it at 33.8oz/sqft. Like Dereck said, two speeds, flat out or stalled.

I have a Speed 400 GeeBee Z and it flew real well, but drops like a brick if the throttle is closed. You definetly do not want to deadstick a model like that. I have never flown it myself because I lacked the skill at the time I built the model. I now feel up to the task of trying it out myself and equipment will be installed once again.

I have the plan for the Page Z model and I think it would be well suited for my new Mega brushless. It swings a 10X6 prop direct drive on 8 cells. Light weight is the key to success with the GeeBees.

Pics of my Z here: http://users.cybercity.dk/~ccc29014/...ic/geebee.html

Michael

Thank you everyone for all the advice. It may be best for me to wait until I get it to see how much weight can be saved by using light weight hardware, compared to kit supplied stuff. What ever I choose, it will have to swing a huge prop to get any a1r going over that 9 to 10 inch round cowl! Thank you, Paul

Marshall, keep us posted, It's something I'm definitely interested in. I'd love to see it fly, I'm just down the road from you.

Azarr
www.azarr.com

I already have my order in for one of these http://www.adrianpage.com/R2.html when it comes available. Should be light enough for conversion to electric.

Todd

Todd, I love the way this one looks. Thanks for the link!

<img src=http://www.adrianpage.com/r2fly.jpg>