Re: 1/32 Granville Gee Bee Model Z Super Sportster.
Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2020 12:06 pm
Interesting comments taken from Kermit Weeks's website...
''Kermit’s Comments
The airplane stalls at 100 mph, which is immaterial according to Benjamin, since the effect of the ailerons is reversed at 110 mph or less. This flight characteristic makes this short tail dragger one of the more challenging aircraft to land and handle on the ground. Approach speed is 145 mph, with the wheels touching down at 120 mph, or else!
The Gee Bees were built for speed in a time when technical details like aerodynamic flutter were largely unknown. With less than 102 square feet of wing area to hold it aloft, the Gee Bees were indeed fast but suffered the consequences of pushing the speed envelope to their limit. Prior to flying the Gee Bee Z, I undertook flutter testing, which showed a problem above 240 mph. It is suspected this aircraft also has a problem, so before I fly it, it will be tested as well to determine at what speed it might likely occur.''
https://www.fantasyofflight.com/collect ... %20ground.
''Kermit’s Comments
The airplane stalls at 100 mph, which is immaterial according to Benjamin, since the effect of the ailerons is reversed at 110 mph or less. This flight characteristic makes this short tail dragger one of the more challenging aircraft to land and handle on the ground. Approach speed is 145 mph, with the wheels touching down at 120 mph, or else!
The Gee Bees were built for speed in a time when technical details like aerodynamic flutter were largely unknown. With less than 102 square feet of wing area to hold it aloft, the Gee Bees were indeed fast but suffered the consequences of pushing the speed envelope to their limit. Prior to flying the Gee Bee Z, I undertook flutter testing, which showed a problem above 240 mph. It is suspected this aircraft also has a problem, so before I fly it, it will be tested as well to determine at what speed it might likely occur.''
https://www.fantasyofflight.com/collect ... %20ground.
