Rare Bear questions??

[supercub]

I have a few question regarding Rare Bear.

1. Have they considered clipping the wings any shorter?? I believe Conquest I were slightly shorter.

2. Any thought given to changing the windshield/canopy? I know it's modified, but is there room for further reduction in that area?

3. Has there ever been talk of installing a 4360, or this totally unreal, because of weight or ??

4. Are there any other future mods that you can talk about in the works?

5. Also, from what I've read, the paint scheme is temporary, is this true? It's nice, and I know the team was really pushed, but personally I don't care for the flame/squiggly scheme.......I'm sure that will draw some flack LOL...............but no matte how she's painted, got to love her. Thanks to all.
Brian

[MMPerk]

Re: Rare Bear questions??

5. Also, from what I've read, the paint scheme is temporary, is this true? It's nice, and I know the team was really pushed, but personally I don't care for the flame/squiggly scheme.......I'm sure that will draw some flack LOL...............but no matte how she's painted, got to love her. Thanks to all.
Brian

I can answer this one...

Yes, the paint on 'Rare Bear' is temporary. Don't know about the other questions though.

[jetsarehard]

Re: Rare Bear questions??

supercub,
in regards to clipping the wings further on the airplane i would suggest you watch the video of john deadsticking the bearcat after the gold race this year(it's in the john penney thread), that thing was coming down at a fairly steep angle. in his post john said that under normal circumstances "over the fence speed" is 105 kts., he flew that approach at 125 kts. for safety reasons and that did make the approach steeper than normal. removing more of the wing would make an already difficult aircraft more difficult, especially in an emergency. besides, it's still the fasted piston powered anything on (or off?) the planet.

[RRMERLIN7]

Re: Rare Bear questions??

All I have to say is... If it Aint Broke Don't fix it ... but....After all the crud from the cowl got everywhere, there is probably a lot to fix ..

[Dago Dog]

Re: Rare Bear questions??

supercub,
it's still the fasted piston powered anything on (or off?) the planet.

Doh! you mean 2nd fastest . . . . the fastest is red

[Ken Dwelle]

Re: Rare Bear questions??

History My Friend.

[Shawn Aro]

Re: Rare Bear questions??

aro achrive Shawn

[MMPerk]

Re: Rare Bear questions??

Thanks for the photo...that must go way back.

Lonnie

[Shawn Aro]

Re: Rare Bear questions??

1976 Mojavy

[wolfee]

Re: Rare Bear questions??

Doh! you mean 2nd fastest . . . . the fastest is red

Not acording to the OFFICIAL record books.

[MRussell]

Re: Rare Bear questions??

Not acording to the OFFICIAL record books.

Even unofficially, it's still quite debatable if you go by Lyle's account (from what I've heard).

[mustang5151]

Re: Rare Bear questions??

Being the #1 Mustang fan, I hate to admit it, but, according to the Library of Congress book of facts I have..."The fastest a piston engined aircraft has ever flown is 528 mph. The record was set on August 21, 1989, by Lyle Shelton in a modified Grumman F8F Bearcat, Rare Bear, equipped with a 3800-hp Wright 3350 engine." In order for Strega to beat this mark by the 1% required by the FAI to establish a new record, it would have to average 533.28 mph in 4 passes over the 3 km course(2 each way). Go Tiger!!!!!

[taglialavore]

Re: Rare Bear questions??

TO MUSTANG5151
You found it, I was almost to write about the official Rare Bear world speed record. I'm sorry, but Shelton and Rare Bear were the firsts, and that is another bean in favor to RB people.

[taglialavore]

Re: Rare Bear questions??

Talking about official records:

http://rapidshare.com/files/59861721/F_d_ration_A_ronautique_Internationale__FAI__-_General_Aviation_World_RecordsSPEED_RECORD.htm.html