Hostetler 40% GeeBee Model Z

[Phil Clark]

Thank you everyone.......we're 99.9% done on the GeeBee at this end.......we've been ploughing on with a number of other jobs over the last couple of months, but after a CG check on the 'Z' last week showed we're almost bang on & can get the CG where we need it without the addition of any ballast......we just have a handful of minor jobs to tie up and we're ready for our final inspection & the arrival of the better weather so we can get out to the field with the client & start making some noise.

Phil

[Phil Clark]

A few pics of our 'production' since Christmas.........renovation & major rework of a 1/4 scale Richard Rawle Hurricane for James Ladell which we hope to see on the show circuit later in the year......+ a couple of Supermarine racers. Both are 1/6 scale.......the S.5 from a 1980's Arrow Models kit which has been done as a static model for a local air museum + the later S.6 from an Austrian Golden Age Productions kit which is Hacker A50 & 6s lipo powered......

Hurricane.jpg

Supermarine-S.5.jpg

Supermarine-S.6.jpg

[paul hughes]

Have you had a test flight of the Gee Bee Z yet Phil? and will we see it on the show circuit?

[Phil Clark]

No test flight yet Paul.........it's ready to go bar final inspection (happening later this month). Between waiting for some decent weather & finding a time where all involved a free over the same weekend, we hope to have it flown by the end of May.

Phil

[Phil Clark]

Engine running in the model for the 1st time.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5EFkSCUEW8

First trip to the field for a shake down session......so far, so good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vEOnRzDc40

[Phil Clark]

Nice stills shot from Thursdays shake down session.....

GeeBee-Z_370.jpg

Phil

[Phil Clark]

After a long wait, we got the big 40% GeeBee Z in the air this morning........ALL GOOD.....video to follow on the next outing.

Phil

GeeBee_Flying_01.jpg

GeeBee_Flying_02.jpg

[Steve Mansell]

Absolutely stunning. A true craftsmans work.

Somehow I can't see you looking at a small imperfection and saying "Oh, that'll do, you won't see it in the air"!

Any news on the sea dart?

Cheers,
Steve

[Phil Clark]

Thanks Steve

Sea Dart is still progressing........all of the detailed CAD development work has been completed by the team at TLJC over the summer months & final 'flying parts' are now arriving from the various manufacturers. It's hoped that we'll be into the final 'build' and paint stage by the end of the year.

Phil

CAD_01.jpg

Canopy_03.jpg

[paul needham]

Well done Phil and everyone connected with the GeeBee, looks brilliant. Would love to see her flying in the flesh.