Goodbye Bear

[Lon Moer]

Re: Goodbye Bear

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I think it's a "good for bad" scenario. Sold 232 (sadly to go where we don't want it), but it got Rod some airplane cash, and already had a trailer coming to pick it up so why not take care of Bear too?

I highly doubt this would've happened now if 232 hadn't sold. It's too much of a coincidence.

Good observation...

[toldjaso]

Re: Goodbye Bear

This was posted on the Lewis Air Legends Instagram site this morning.

"The Bear is heading back to Breckenridge, Texas for some TLC...wing modifications and oil cooling system work. More big flying adventure to come, perhaps even a run for the World Speed Record again! Thank you fans for the continued support!
Team Rare Bear"

I told Cornell when it went to Texas last time I figured they would want to replace the center section main spar while it was there. I was surprised when it came back without that being done. It has "a little" battle damage from when it was torque-rolled in Indiana.
Don't know if that is what they plan to do or not.

[toldjaso]

Re: Goodbye Bear

Wing mods meaning put the flaps back on it too?

Or winglets?

[GRNDP51]

Re: Goodbye Bear

I told Cornell when it went to Texas last time I figured they would want to replace the center section main spar while it was there. I was surprised when it came back without that being done. It has "a little" battle damage from when it was torque-rolled in Indiana.
Don't know if that is what they plan to do or not.

Speaking in for RAD2LTR (Will) on this site, he talks with Dusty a good amount and there’s a wing spar mod that seems to be very important to strengthening F8F’s that Dusty believes should be done on every Bearcat. The Bearcat that just finished at Ezell is the first to have it done. I imagine strengthening the airframe in general (this wing spar mod included) would be on a priority list to get completed.

[Fence Sence]

Re: Goodbye Bear

Empty Cave

[marada mx3]

Re: Goodbye Bear

I think we can all agree on that front, but of course she’s going to support Bear with Stew in the saddle. I believe a compromise of the best shape Bear has been in under Rod’s ownership should suffice

Is it a foregone conclusion that Mr. Dawson will be the pilot going forward? He didn't give that impression while chatting at Osh last year.

[CubersWrist]

Re: Goodbye Bear

Or winglets?

I don't think so. Winglets are good for induced drag, and induced drag is not the main drag concern for racing or speed record attempts. Write-up on Clipped wingtip mod

[GRNDP51]

Re: Goodbye Bear

Is it a foregone conclusion that Mr. Dawson will be the pilot going forward? He didn't give that impression while chatting at Osh last year.

Nobody knows that answer yet, one day at a time

[N22252]

Re: Goodbye Bear

Empty Cave

Is the 3-blade prop hanging on the wall somewhere, or did it tag along with the Bear? (One can always hope)

[ChrisMX105]

Re: Goodbye Bear

Is the 3-blade prop hanging on the wall somewhere, or did it tag along with the Bear? (One can always hope)

One can only hope, the sheer coolness is worth at least 10mph..............but up or down??

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: Goodbye Bear

One can only hope, the sheer coolness is worth at least 10mph..............but up or down??

The only problem with that prop is that the only man who ever truly could fly it is no longer with us....

[Reever]

Re: Goodbye Bear

The only problem with that prop is that the only man who ever truly could fly it is no longer with us....

I heard something about the three bladed prop caused some structural stress and that was the reason for not using it. "Clod hopper yaw dampers".

[Leo]

Re: Goodbye Bear

There was a great article IN Air Classics many years back written by John Penney about flying the Bear. He describes the stick and rudder forces, trim issues and the cyclic "twist" in the planes direction of travel with that prop. It did not sound like a fun ride!

[Race5]

Re: Goodbye Bear

It set the speed record with the 4 blade prop.

[gp70442]

Re: Goodbye Bear

I remember at the time that Lyle reported unexpected gyroscopic forces (3 blade) causing the nose to want to go left or right every time he loaded or unloaded some G around the pylons. The first time it happened was in one of those legendary battles with Strega. He didn't know what was causing it but he but kept dancing on the pedals because it was a fierce race.
It sounded like a pretty hairy ride. At least, that's the way I remember the report from that time.
I realized then that it would take a pretty big pair to ride that out.

One of the local historians can correct me if my memory is fuzzy.


GP