Before it was Rare Bear

[wingman]

Re: Before it was Rare Bear

So which weekend was that, John? I just wanted to bring this thing up front again -- there are things I'm curious about

This thread has been fun.

[BellCobraIV]

Re: Before it was Rare Bear

I haven't disappeared, I've just been buried in a couple of projects at home. I should get some time to answer some questions this weekend.

[wingman]

Re: Before it was Rare Bear

No -- I think that first engine was quite stock. They ran decently in 1969, though with systems problems. They ran better, with all systems working in 1970 -- til they blew up the engine due to bad advice on fuel mixing. They then built up their first "hybrid" 3350 for Cape May in 1971. Apparently that was an ex-airline motor with supercharger and other modifications done largely by Bill Coulter and Mel Gregoire at AC&T. I think that was the first motor with the "slow" nose case. BCIV obviously knows far more about this than I -- I hope we'll get there in the future...

Neal

[Reever]

Re: Before it was Rare Bear

Did the engine in the photos have the slow nose case?

[Lockheed Bob]

Re: Before it was Rare Bear

WOW. Classic 3350 photos. Thanks for sharing.

[Fence Sence]

Re: Before it was Rare Bear

Man, apparently Pete had an eye. That second image is gorgeous. So this is the first motor? Well, the first 3350 to be mounted to this airframe? Had there been another 3350 on a Bearcat at that point? A scrapheap motor on a scrapheap airframe. Talk about humble beginnings to basically the most beloved air racer of all time. Especially to Reno-ites. It sure was nice to be able to drive out and peek through window and see The Bear. I miss it.

[wingman]

Re: Before it was Rare Bear

In the meanwhile I'll post another Pete Behenna photo or two. So back in 1969 Lyle had an airplane shell, a remarkable crew coalescing, and parts coming in from around the country. He still needed an engine. According to Dell Rourk, Lyle went to see George Byard at Aircraft Cylinder and Turbine in Sun Valley, Ca.

AC&T had an old R3350 in the open out back of the shop -- it was scheduled for salvage and had been sitting back there in the weather with no plugs or stacks and rainwater in the cylinders. George donated the engine to Lyle's project. George Putman cleaned out the sticks, birdsnests, and other crap and with some help from the mechanics at AC&T managed to rebuild the motor.

John -- what was the timeline of all this? When did Lyle move the kit into the hangar? When was the fuselage more or less complete? When did Putnam get his hands on the engine and when was it actually hung on the airplane?

Neal

[BellCobraIV]

Re: Before it was Rare Bear

Would be nice to see something like that come out of this.. We've never done a book, unsure of fees and such, suspect that as with all air race stuff, the audience is limited thus is the market for any product out of it..

Hopefully this little electronic field of play which seems to have dragged in some pretty cool players will satiate the need... come back often LOL!!

Answers like the last one are forcing me to dig a little deeper, don't worry I am going back in to the caves of the past. C'Ya soon.

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: Before it was Rare Bear

If this were a book, it would be an air race fans dream.

Would be nice to see something like that come out of this.. We've never done a book, unsure of fees and such, suspect that as with all air race stuff, the audience is limited thus is the market for any product out of it..

Hopefully this little electronic field of play which seems to have dragged in some pretty cool players will satiate the need... come back often LOL!!

[knot4u]

Re: Before it was Rare Bear

Deleted.

[BellCobraIV]

Re: Before it was Rare Bear

Great post, John. I don't have any Behenna shots of the center section from behind. My Behenna collection is limited -- I never had time to print it all and I don't think I got sent all his negs anyway. I just printed what was obviously important or interesting. You don't have a copy of that shot either?

So the fuselage was intact from the firewall back, but bent? Where was the major damage -- in the rear fuselage or center section? There was wing spar damage too, wasn't there?

Didn't Richard Tracy have input into designing the engine mount? Dell Rourk talks about both Bill and Dr. Tracy being involved in its design at that point...

Neal

After Lyle passed away several items of his were stolen. Included among those items were his picture collection of the Bearcat's build up by Pete Behenna. There were eight volumes of invaluable pictures. I know some of those items have made their way out into the hands of collectors because I have been told that so and so has this item, and so and so has that item.

[Reever]

Re: Before it was Rare Bear

If this were a book, it would be an air race fans dream.

[wingman]

Re: Before it was Rare Bear

Great post, John. I don't have any Behenna shots of the center section from behind. My Behenna collection is limited -- I never had time to print it all and I don't think I got sent all his negs anyway. I just printed what was obviously important or interesting. You don't have a copy of that shot either?

So the fuselage was intact from the firewall back, but bent? Where was the major damage -- in the rear fuselage or center section? There was wing spar damage too, wasn't there?

Didn't Richard Tracy have input into designing the engine mount? Dell Rourk talks about both Bill and Dr. Tracy being involved in its design at that point...

Neal

[knot4u]

Re: Before it was Rare Bear

I remember Bill Hickle once told me he'd flown an airplane straight and level BACKWARDS! I respected Bill and didn't want to question him so I just went back to work correcting whatever it was that we'd done that didn't meet his high standards. I'd been training for my PPL for a bit and as I was removing zip-ties and adding adel clamps or redoing ugly safety wire I was ruminating about flying backwards. At the end of just another long hot night at Van Nuys I questioned him about it, because he was Bill Hickle he explained that if you're flying a J-3 in windy conditions you might point the nose into the wind and reduce your airspeed and you'll end up going backwards. He was all smiles telling me about it, although he did warn that it was a fairly disconcerting visual if I ever attempted it.

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: Before it was Rare Bear

John, this stuff is priceless! I think I can speak for everyone who hangs here... Please keep sharing!!!!!

Sorry for not getting back to you on phone! Going crazy trying to stay awake enough to get a bunch of stuff I've got going on finished....

But again, please keep it up!!!