Thank you, Kermit for another amazing and for me,very informative video. I didn't realize that it was a "ZEE" that Bales was flying when he crashed and was killed in Detroit. This was the first video I have seen that showed the right wing collapsing before the aircraft rolled out of control and went into the ground. There would be absolutely no way to even attempt a recovery from that kind of catastrophy at that kind of speed and low altitude. I have seen a number of video's of Bales crash, but this is the first time I have seen the wing failure. Thanks again and please keep up the great video's.
Wow, that is a hot airplane. That landing was spooky. My time as a pilot is 97% taildragger but you won't see me in that hot machine lol. Good job Kermit.
Next to the space shuttle, those Gee Bees were the most ungainly looking flying machines I’ve seen. A pilot would have to have his balls in a tight cup to fly one.
Very cool, one of my absolute favorites. Can't beat the black/yellow livery in Disney's The Rocketeer as well! Any history on the screen used plane compared to this one?
If you watch the footage of the crash you see the aircraft dip very suddenly and then pull up, and at that point the wing fails. Bayles was doing in the region of 300mph. It must have caused a huge and sudden load on the wing structure which failed outboard of the rigging wire attachment point. I read that a couple of kids found Bayles Goggles and pieces of windscreen before the impact point and gave them to Zantford Granville....Thus the story of the fuel cap smashing the windscreen causing him to flinch putting in a large control input.
I'm sure the speed and flutter were involved - that's the first video of the accident I have seen of the Z and agree with your analysis, but I think the the fuel cap issue was a problem that crashed and killed the pilot of a B model.
Sorry to be so off topic but does anyone know of a tool to log back into an instagram account..? I was stupid forgot my account password. I would appreciate any tips you can give me.
@Edward Baker Thanks for your reply. I got to the site on google and im trying it out now. I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
Fun to see. But very pity that the wrong format was chosen on the video. (Fat guy format). Please fix this so that we can all see how nice shapes a GeeBee Z has.
I expect that the Gee Bee would beat least 100 MPH faster than the I-16, but the I-16 would bea lot safer, till some one starts shooting at you....lol.
Inertial Coupling? And working up Weight and balance must be a real pain, with the pilot sitting so far back. There's not much elevator and rudder authority - too small and too close to the front.
Aileron flutter.......so much and through many flights....fatigued the rear spar....wing broke...up...:/ early days..when aero guys were learning......
Your crazy to fly that plane. Just looks to unstable at high speeds. Not worth the risks. The design was not meant to with stand that much horsepower. As you mentioned older technology and testing was involved. Nice flying though.
The "number 4" as my grandfather, Tom Granville and uncles always called it, is and always has been my favorite Gee Bee.
Fascinating history ! I will learn more of these remarkable aircraft; thank you.
Thank you, Kermit for another amazing and for me,very informative video. I didn't realize that it was a "ZEE" that Bales was flying when he crashed and was killed in Detroit. This was the first video I have seen that showed the right wing collapsing before the aircraft rolled out of control and went into the ground. There would be absolutely no way to even attempt a recovery from that kind of catastrophy at that kind of speed and low altitude. I have seen a number of video's of Bales crash, but this is the first time I have seen the wing failure. Thanks again and please keep up the great video's.
I am impressed , beautiful plane and great pilot !
The Polikarpov and Gee Bee both require skill ....that I don’t possess, another great video .
Always been fascinated by the GeeBee Z. It has that "look" that some aircraft have.
What a cool little hot rod! Looks like a handfull.
Spectacular plane. Thanks Kermit. I am glad you are you as I know you are too.
Love the happy game show style music during the fiery crash
Man! You put that thing down on the very start of the runway!
Wow, that is a hot airplane. That landing was spooky. My time as a pilot is 97% taildragger but you won't see me in that hot machine lol. Good job Kermit.
Great, now I want one.
scary plane! great landing! thanks for your video!
What a great heart you get to fly an airplane known for crashing in a short time and nicknamed "The flying coffin"!
Also curious as to the results of the flutter tests. Beautiful craft!
One of my favorites. Looks a little squirrely (that gear is WAY forward of the wing!) but it seems to respond positively.
Nice flying!
Next to the space shuttle, those Gee Bees were the most ungainly looking flying machines I’ve seen. A pilot would have to have his balls in a tight cup to fly one.
What a terrifying aircraft! I couldn’t tell if you were landing back at the airfield, or strafing it.
Wow didn't think any were still flying. Really unusual aircraft.
It's a replica...
Hell. That beautiful plane even takes off at a ferocioussneed.
at a whaaaaat?
what was result of flutter test
I've always preferred the look of the Z GeeBee over the R models
... awesome footage :-)
LOL l like the upbeat '60's music accompanying the crash footage at 4:25.
Looks like a plane you would want to keep the tail up as long as possible on landing and as quickly as possible taking off.
Was it a handful to fly? It certainly looks fast, but it also looks dangerous....
What were the results of the tests?
hogsnplanes ---- that the pilot has balls of steel!
Very cool, one of my absolute favorites. Can't beat the black/yellow livery in Disney's The Rocketeer as well! Any history on the screen used plane compared to this one?
I beliee that this IS the aircraft that was commissioned for and used in "The Rocketeer". I have watched that movie every time I see it playing on TV.
Were is the plane that you want in the world champion in a 1982? Do you still have it and fly it ?
That will be answered in this weeks "Kermie Q's" episode.
If you watch the footage of the crash you see the aircraft dip very suddenly and then pull up, and at that point the wing fails. Bayles was doing in the region of 300mph. It must have caused a huge and sudden load on the wing structure which failed outboard of the rigging wire attachment point. I read that a couple of kids found Bayles Goggles and pieces of windscreen before the impact point and gave them to Zantford Granville....Thus the story of the fuel cap smashing the windscreen causing him to flinch putting in a large control input.
I'm sure the speed and flutter were involved - that's the first video of the accident I have seen of the Z and agree with your analysis, but I think the the fuel cap issue was a problem that crashed and killed the pilot of a B model.
Are you ever going to do a Kermie Cam in this one?
Thank you for another video Kermit. Did you ever find out if flutter was the cause of the accident?
Sorry to be so off topic but does anyone know of a tool to log back into an instagram account..?
I was stupid forgot my account password. I would appreciate any tips you can give me.
@Bode Amir instablaster ;)
@Edward Baker Thanks for your reply. I got to the site on google and im trying it out now.
I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Edward Baker It worked and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy:D
Thank you so much, you really help me out :D
@Bode Amir you are welcome =)
beautiful landing- which i imagine must be a trick in that aircraft
Cameron Lowes
Totally agree. How fast was that landing?! The thing didn't seem like it really wanted to climb on takeoff either.
Hahaha the upbeat music as we watch that pilot die in a horrific explosion
Fuckin hell
Funkshire I thought the same!
Is there anything you can't fly?
so awesome
Was the plane 'flutter shy'?
That thing's a menace at taxi speeds. Pilot visibility, especially forwards, must be abysmal.
Did he die ?
Did you ever flutter test?
We did. There will be a video clip made from the archive footage in the near future.
I'd like to see the fly of Gee Bee Z by Delmar Benjamin too!
It's on UA-cam
Fun to see.
But very pity that the wrong format was chosen on the video. (Fat guy format). Please fix this so that we can all see how nice shapes a GeeBee Z has.
I wonder how the Gee Bee would do against a Polikarpov I-16?
I wonder the same, they're very similar aircraft, it would be interesting!
i think the I-16 has a longer wingspan on both the tail and wings. I would imagine it would be more maneuverable.
I expect that the Gee Bee would beat least 100 MPH faster than the I-16, but the I-16 would bea lot safer, till some one starts shooting at you....lol.
awesome aircraft...but im sure very scary to "strap" it to you
Hi Kermy...how you feeling?
Bah!! No smoke puffing from the oil burning in the lower cylinders at start up. A typical phenomenon of radial engines.
Inertial Coupling? And working up Weight and balance must be a real pain, with the pilot sitting so far back. There's not much elevator and rudder authority - too small and too close to the front.
Aileron flutter.......so much and through many flights....fatigued the rear spar....wing broke...up...:/ early days..when aero guys were learning......
Didn't Jimmy Doolittle win a couple races with it?..btw..it was my uncle you took up in a grumman duck
too bad it does not have the huge wasp engine
Not another plane that Kermit flew??????????? Come on knock it off!!!!! There are people out here that are extremely jealous.
Your crazy to fly that plane. Just looks to unstable at high speeds. Not worth the risks. The design was not meant to with stand that much horsepower. As you mentioned older technology and testing was involved. Nice flying though.
i love the footage but why does every decent video have some shit music and some narrator sucking off the mic?
"some narrator" is Kermit (LOL)