Hubert Boillot Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 (edited) OK. This is just to kick-off the GB and mark my presence. I need to focus first a bit more on my on-going builds. But I will participate, and take an opportunity to take TWO boxes out of the stash, by building simultaneously the Gee Bee R-1 and Gee Bee R-2 from Williams Bros. The kit allows to build both versions (the R-1 had a big P&W Wasp, and a large-opening cowling, the R-2 had a P&W Wasp Jr and a small opening cowling) and supplies the decals and cowlings for both. I will use AM engines most likely. The representation of the Wasp in the kit is OK, but not great, and it is a very visible item in this diminutive aircraft. I will use a Vector Wasp. For the Wasp Jr, the kits falls really short, but this will be a great reason to complete my 3D design of the Wasp Jr, and get it printed. I also found on eBay some vac-formed canopies that will be more realistic than the kit's thick transparencies. I have no date for the kits, but in one box, I found an ad for registering for the IPMS-USA which featured the 1981 issues of their magazine. Anyway I very well remember building this kit in the late 70s . Here is the kick-off pic with both boxes. They are of different vintage. The oldest one had a box-top opening and is molded in white, whereas the youger one has a side opening and is molded in grey. See you soon Hubert Edited August 13, 2017 by MostlyRacers Derek B, AndersN, 109 and 16 others 19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cees Broere Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Nice, looking forward to see you builds evolve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Nice one (two!), Hubert. Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn M Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 neat! love the GeeBee's! What colors you going to do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert Boillot Posted November 1, 2016 Author Share Posted November 1, 2016 (edited) neat! love the GeeBee's! What colors you going to do? White with red scallops and black trim lines, Shawn , in their 1932 guise, the only fitting color for a Gee Bee. The R-1 is "11" and the R-2 "7". There are decals for both in the kit. As usual with this scheme, the challenge will be the black trim lines ... Hubert Edited November 1, 2016 by MostlyRacers Leaning_Dog and Shawn M 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn M Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 love the red/white. Also a sucker for yellow and black on these Hubert Boillot 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaka HI Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Wait..an actual plastic kit? I guess we're willing to play with the "little" people once in awhile, eh? Hubert Boillot 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r0t0rdr1ver Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Another great choice for this GB. One of my favorite racers! Can't wait to see these gems come together! Hubert Boillot 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert Boillot Posted November 1, 2016 Author Share Posted November 1, 2016 Wait..an actual plastic kit? I guess we're willing to play with the "little" people once in awhile, eh? Shhhht! Don't tell anyone, and let's keep it our little secret just between the two of us, hey Shaka ... After all, I have a reputation to defend (But my modeller buddies with whom I have diner every month are surprised when I buy a kit that is not vacform or resin ) Hubert mozart, Jeff and Shaka HI 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero77 Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Cool ! The 11 and the 7 at the same time ! I have one of these kits very slightly started for about 2 or 3 years. I'm glad you started it, so i can copy your work for detailing the somewhat spartan cockpit ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero77 Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 love the red/white. Also a sucker for yellow and black on these The yellow and black one is the Gee Bee "Z". Shawn M 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill_S Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Seven? Eleven? Would you like a Slurpee? Jeff, Shawn M and dmthamade 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmthamade Posted November 2, 2016 Share Posted November 2, 2016 Always wondered how these aircraft flew. BIG engine, stubby wings, mini appendage. More like a cariacture of a real plane. I wonder how an Egg Plne of this would look? Don AndersN 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert Boillot Posted November 2, 2016 Author Share Posted November 2, 2016 (edited) According to Delmar Benjamin who built and flew a replica of the R-2, it flew very well, even banked more than 30°, or inverted, but it was an aeroplane you had to fly all the time. No hands off the controls, or it would soon try to destroy itself, and you with it. He also stated that it was a joy to fly in clear air, and a bear in bad weather, for the same reasons. Their accidents seem to have been caused more by a series of bad luck strokes, or stupid modifications that the Granville Brothers disaproved, like lengthening the fuselage and adding an extra fuel tank that moved the CG aft. This said, Jimmy Doolittle, after his Thompson win in 1932 on the R-1, wowed never to fly a Gee Bee again, and he held to his word. I think they answer perfectly the definition of a (very) "hot ship". Hubert Edited November 2, 2016 by MostlyRacers Shaka HI and KiwiZac 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee White Posted November 2, 2016 Share Posted November 2, 2016 According to Delmar Benjamin who built and flew a replica of the R-2, it flew very well, even banked more than 30°, or inverted, but it was an aeroplane you had to fly all the time. No hands off the controls, or it would soon try to destroy itself, and you with it. He also stated that it was a joy to fly in clear air, and a bear in bad weather, for the same reasons. Their accidents seem to have been caused more by a series of bad luck strokes, or stupid modifications that the Granville Brothers disaproved, like lengthening the fuselage and adding an extra fuel tank that moved the CG aft. This said, Jimmy Doolittle, after his Thompson win in 1932 on the R-1, wowed never to fly a Gee Bee again, and he held to his word. I think they answer perfectly the definition of a (very) "hot ship". Hubert IIRC, Delmar Benjamin did his homework on the GeeBee, and found that one of the problems of the original was the airfoil choice. He went off the reservation regarding authenticity with his replica and chose a different, better airfoil for his plane, and that made all the difference in handling. Shaka HI 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now