Gere Sport (oz7160)

About this Plan

1933 Gere Sport. Radio control stand-off scale model biplane. Scale is 1/3.

Quote: "Since our original design of this model in 1975 many new developments have come about for the large model. For the most realistic type flight we would suggest the use of Quadra or Evra type gas type engines. Their economy of operation and long life would seem to be a sensible type approach with today's higher glow fuel prices.

For the use of the larger type engines we would suggest doubling the firewall to 1/2 inch thick. Sheet all tail surfaces with 1/16 in balsa. Glass the center section of both wings, and make the bottom wing bolt on. We would also suggest having the Quadra flywheel modified to reduce vibration. We can furnish the address for the above mod upon request. For modelers not interested in scale, ailerons can also be added to the top wing for a spectacular increase in roll rate.

As of this date there are no reported problems with building or flying the Gere. Because of its gentle flying habits and ease of construction the Gere has turned out to be one of our more popular models and has proven to be a show stopper whenever flown in public."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 01/11/2015: Removed the third sheet (templates for wing joiners, landing gear, cabane struts) at the request of BarryWestergom who drew up that sheet.

Update 12/03/2020: Added kit review from April 1978 RCM, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "RCM Product Test. Bod Nosen's Gere Sport Biplane: Sitting on the flight line on its 6 inch Du-Bro balloons, or in flight, Bud Nosen's 8 ft Gere Sport Biplane is a show stopper. It was uniquely tailored just for you if: F-4's and F-86's are flying things, but biplanes are flying machines - real airplanes.

The Gere's flight performance is scale-like, and so is the visual impact of this almost 'half-size' airplane. Start thinking in terms of large, awesome, cavernous, outsize, etc, and get ready to understand what it's like to build and handle a 'half-size' airplane. We built cradles out of 2 in thick foam to hold the fuselage for work on radio installation, covering, etc. And if you cover your current project with what's left from the last one - plus one new roll - forget it. We did an analysis to decide how much MonoKote was needed, didn't believe it, re-did it, and then bought 9 (nine) rolls.

The kit is excellent, a real pleasure to build - but not for beginners. An instruction sheet (printed on both sides) is more than adequate for the experienced builder - with one top wing exception to be covered later. An accurate bill of materials is also provided. If the instructions and bill of materials are followed carefully, there is no need to add any materials. Although, when you first open the box, you will think there is enough wood to build a squadron of planes.

The Gere was built as kitted except for the addition of Interplane N struts, upper wing ailerons (same size as lower wing ailerons), and provisions for attaching the lower wing with leading edge dowels and trailing edge nylon 1/4-20 bolts, instead of the kit provided rubberband hold-down. And, since bipes have short nose moments and the fuselage is voluminous, the radio installation was made immediately aft of the plywood firewall (1/4 x 6 x 9) and the forward bottom section of the fuselage was converted to a removable hatch for access to the radio system and fuel tank.

Building was straightforward, but discount the 18-hour assembly time noted in the kit. Once we get to the field, we can get the Gere together in 15 to 20 minutes. Die-cutting and materials selection were literally perfect, as were parts fit to the plans and each other.

No special tools, other than large wood clamps, were used. All basic framing was performed on the cork coated side of my 6 x 2 ft hollow building board. Using a 36 in steel scale helps assure that everything is built straight.

Fuselage initial assembly (sides and bulkheads) over the plans is a must to assure a symmetrical fuselage. The fuselage is a basic box with two square bulkheads built up from 1/4 in ply strips (lengths and widths up to 9-1/2 x 1-1/2) and three aft fuselage bulkheads built up from 1/4 x 1/2 sheet balsa. Wood clamps 6 in deep with a 12 in throat were used to clamp the sides to the bulkheads.

And now the fuselage sides - this is another point where you are impacted by the size of this graceful biggie. The vision conjured up by an eight foot bipe is overwhelming, the full size plans hammer the impact further in; the amount of wood is unbelievable; but the fuselage sides finally bring you to the full appreciation of the size of the Gere. The 3/16 thick sides are assembled first, end-splicing three 3 x 48 and 3 x 30 sheets, and then edge-splicing the 78 lengths to get a side sheet 3/16 x 9 x 78 in long. The sides are then tapered fore and aft of the wing saddle area for final assembly.

The landing gear is a standard configuration, two wires (3/16) soldered together above the axle and mounted to the fuselage bottom in a ply sandwich. I added internal triangular braces to tie the plywood to the fuselage sides. The fuselage top is round with the traditional inset stringer type aft fuselage turtledeck topped by a conical headrest. The round forward fuselage top is sheeted with soft 1/8 sheet (well soaked, of course). A single stringer running longitudinally along the center of each fuselage side breaks up the slab side effect. All in all, a classic, beautiful configuration... "

Update 18/4/2023: Added kit review from MAN, September 1978, thanks to RFJ.

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