Flying a classic - 33% Godfrey Extra

[SleepyC]

Ok.... so a little while back I came across a nice deal on a 33% Godfrey Extra.
Snapped it up and have been waiting to fly it.
Today was the day.
Its a nice plane, it has been used, but is still in great shape.
Its no 3D'er but I was expecting a nice smooth plane.
(the elevator's whole throw is 1" up and 1" down.)

Well, the plane flew great, the 3W 75 pulled like a champ, and even though this plane is just north of 26 lbs, it flew GREAT on a 75cc motor! (Not a rocket, but more than enough for my attempt at precision flying)


I learned a lot today flying a nice precision style plane...
and that is... I suck....
Being able to jerk around the 3D planes of today can sometime make you look like your a better pilot than you are.
(well in my case I NEVER look good.. )

But with a plane that was designed to fly smooth, snapping out on the up-line on a loop, or missing the proper % of rudder input on a knife edge so that it jerks can't be smoothed over by throwing the sticks and making the plane do some insane flat spin variation,...

This plane really makes me want to learn and master the roots of flying,
I really dig this plane, and its difference to the planes most of us are flying today.

Man... I really have mixed emotions today, I love the plane, but realize just HOW GOOD SOME OF YOU GUYS ARE TO MAKE THE ROUTIENES YOU DO SO PERFECT.

Oh well... got planes and time... so there is ALWAYS HOPE for me YET!!

(Never hurts to bring a pro Photographer flying, Jeremiah brought out his WH 260 and flew, but its always good to say "Hey Miah, mind taking a few shots with my Camera??)

Heres a few shots from the day.

Bunch of the Godfrey, a few of my Patty , and my buddy Adam hovering his UCD, which 2 min later suffered a failure and was reduced to sticks.... lots of sticks...
RIP UCD #6

[funky]

Where did you get the T-Shirt?

[SleepyC]

That was my clothing company I had a while back. (I used to race RC cars )

[GremlinX]

KOOOOOOL

[ICE_MAN]

Sweet airplane man, and I'm sure alot of us would learn the same thing if someone through a precision plane at us!! Haha. I plan on trying my hand at precision this summer.

But anyways WTG on getting that bird back in the air! Now get it flying some precision! And you, Chicks? HAHAHAHA! Just Kiddin'

[Biff]

Looking good Sleepy! Hope you're planning on bringing her to the Nall. We'll get her mixed out and on a rail. There's nothing in the world to compare to a properly trimmed/mixed airplane. It also GREATLY reduces pilot load. Knife edge should be rudder input only. Down lines perfectly vert with hands off. We'll get her flying perfectly for you! I think I've got an extra pair of wheel pants. Flying a Godfrey without pants is like driving a '57 Chevy without the hood. We'll have her pimpin big!

[torquen]

What's funny sleepy is these type of planes use to be the king of the block. I love it when people come up to me and ask how long I was flying until I could torque roll or 3d. They just dont understand that the planes back then only had 3" wide elevators and small ailerons. It was a effort to torque roll something like your plane on the deck. Now days, you have the sims, ARF's, and awesome planes that come right out of the box ready to be fully competition flown. Looking good!
Garrett Morrison