Gee Bee Senior Sportster Model Z
The Granville brothers saw the big prizes in air racing as a means of keeping the company afloat during the dark depression days. In only a matter of months, the Model Z was designed by Bob Hall and built by the Granville organization just in the nick of time for entering the 1931 National Air Races at Cleveland, where it won all five of the events it flew in. The RC model is Quarter Scale size for a .90 glow engine. Part 1. The Gee Bee Model Z City of Springfield was the only one of the Gee Bee Sportsters that I had not built and flown. I started building these fantastic aircraft in model form in 1975 and have flown them all in many contests over the intervening years. They have won many trophies and prizes for me and have been a great joy to fly. I had built my first models in .40-size versions. After building several I decided to try a Quarter Scale Gee Bee. The Model Y was my first "big" one; since then I have built the Model D, Model E, and R-1 in Quarter Scale size. All have been fantastic flying models.
Gee Bee Z
THE BACKGROUND and history of the full-size and my model Super Sportsters were presented last month. Now, we're ready for construction. Before beginning, remember one very important fact: the model should be kept as light as possible. With its short moments, you could find it very tricky to fly if the wing loading gets too high. At 12 1/2 lb. it's a very stable flier-very positive on the controls, without any over-sensitivity. With care, your model can be built even lighter than my prototype. The bulky fuselage has a lot of material in it, so use lightweight wood where practical. This can add up to a substantial weight savings when the model is finished. Remember that weight and torque are the two big enemies of this aircraft.
Geebee Y Replica
THE BIRTHPLACE of Gee Bee aircraft, Springfield, MA, is also my birthplace. I built my first model of a Gee Bee in 1975. It was a Sport Scale Model Y Senior Sportster (MA Plan #131), and it started me on my way researching the fabulous Gee Bee airplanes and the men who built them. As I learned more about the Gee Bees, my interest intensified. I located Bob Granville, one of the original five brothers, and he put me in touch with his brother, Ed. Both of them supplied me with photos of the Model Y, and thanks to them, I built up a documentation package that helped me bring home several trophies.
Flaglor's Gee Bee Model Y Senior Sportster
The Nats at Westover provided a unique experience for many modelers when they were able to get a close look at a replica of one of the most famous of the Golden Age racers. Also present was the Scale model presented here as the first of a two-part series.
Ken Flaglor's: Gee Bee Model Y
MY FIRST GEE BEE model, built in 1975, was a Model Y. I found it was the best-flying model I had ever piloted. Since that time I have built three more Model Ys; two have been quarter-scale size. When I saw Ken Flaglor's replica, I decided to build a model of it, too. I spent a day with Ken and his beautiful machine, photographing the aircraft inside and out. I'm sure I have a pic-
