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View Full Version : Tail options for the Bee...

KDOG
09-30-2004, 06:24 AM
I was looking into StarBees tail, which does indeed look like its fantastic, but $625 before shipping is kinda steep.I did see some pics of a guy with a tube and fabric tail which looked pretty good, still had a nice big, fat ol' H-stab and all. Does anyone know of any other tail plans for the bee?
gyropilot
09-30-2004, 06:53 AM
I was looking into StarBees tail, which does indeed look like its fantastic, but $625 before shipping is kinda steep.I did see some pics of a guy with a tube and fabric tail which looked pretty good, still had a nice big, fat ol' H-stab and all. Does anyone know of any other tail plans for the bee?
Generally when you buy a tail KDOG, you're paying for a *lot* of labor.

If you don't want to build, then you're going to pay!

The least expensive and easiest way to go would probably be to build a glass over foam core like the Watson tail.

Regards,

John L.
KDOG
09-30-2004, 07:45 AM
Hmmm... I see what you're saying. I'll just have to keep my eyes open.
Brent_Brown
09-30-2004, 01:44 PM
Kdog It will take me a good 40 hours to make a tall. I sold them in the past for up to 500. That realy only covers the time I put into it. the foam ,glass, epoxy, filler, AL. spar, and more is about 200 so good luck on finding a tail for 100 bucks.

I would like to bring a tail that is in different point of construction to show how I make one.

Hot wire the foam, then pull out one ready to glass.
glass one side then pull out the completed one

this would be like a cooking show to cut down on the time needed to do it for real at the end we mount it to a gyro and fly away into the sunset.
KDOG
09-30-2004, 03:02 PM
Now I didn't say I was looking for a 100 dollar tail. I guess I really don't know how much a tail cost to build. I was just asking. I still want to see that tube and fabric tail I saw on someones bee.
Brent_Brown
09-30-2004, 04:32 PM
And I was just saying good luck finding one. I wish I did. That is why I made my tall tail, I didn't find one I chould justify buying at the time.
scottessex
09-30-2004, 04:55 PM
Let me tell you, the tails made by Brent are 1st class work, I got a used one last weekend, I drove 660 miles to get it! But I know for what I got, I could not have built it myself for the price, and even gas, I got a good deal.

I have a Ron Menzie flying tail I am not using, but you will have to build a horizontal stab. I can send you pics if you want, or look at my crash pictures :) .
ultracruiser41
09-30-2004, 06:40 PM
Built mine up from aluminum tube, gussets and fabric. Took a design from Ralphs website and converted to actual dimensions. Tail is light, strong and cheap. I would guess...$100 bucks at the most.

Barry
GyroRon
09-30-2004, 07:02 PM
Scott, did you drive up to Gary Safrits to get his tail?
scottessex
10-01-2004, 01:54 AM
Yes Ron I did, I was going to give you a call, But I was running tight on time, :mad: otherwise I would have come and hung out with you for a few hours. But I left at 4:00 am and got back at around 6:30pm. and still had to do all my weekend chores around the house. :)

I got me a set of rotorblades on sunday, Still waiting on my prop.
KDOG
10-01-2004, 02:35 AM
Ultracruiser, mind sharing pics and plans?
GyroRon
10-01-2004, 03:25 AM
Okay, I see.
scottessex
10-01-2004, 03:33 AM
I would have loved to get a ride in the Pacer. :) But as it was I wasn't sure if I was
even going to be going until friday evening, Gary had been out of town etc. I have been trying to get this done for about a month but our schedules were not lining up. I'll see you at ROC, hopefullyI can cut our of here early Fri morning. Hope for good weather.
KDOG
10-01-2004, 03:47 PM
Ultracruiser - Are you Tim Blackwell? If so I would REALLY like to talk to you about the tail that I see you have on your bee. I see the pictures on Ralphs In Progress page, and I like it alot. Seriously, If you wouldn't mind, I'd really like to get more info on that...

EDIT:

Oh never mind, I didn't see your name up there. Bah, don't mind me...
GyroRon
10-01-2004, 04:20 PM
UltraCruiser is Mr Barry Kroplien of Matthews N.C. His Bee is on Ralphs page, it won best workmanship award at Bensen Days 2004. So far I am the only one to have flown it. I like it.
KDOG
10-01-2004, 04:43 PM
Great, how did the tail feel? Do you think its lighter than the StarBee tail? It is the tube and fabric tail, right? I'll have to go back to Ralphs page and look again...


BTW we almost have the same B-days, how does it feel to be 32? I don't know what to think yet...