C-GVFF: Republic THUNDERBEE

Details

Price History

Listings

Description

The Charles Joy, Thunderbee, Serial number 001 is an incredible airplane.
It has won multiple awards (SUN 'N FUN Grand Champion Seaplane 2011 and
Oshkosh "Silver Lindy" for Reserve Grand Champion Seaplane 2011) and been
featured in magazine articles. The previous owner invested significantly
into building this plane and the current owner has invested significantly
bringing it up to the highest standards that could be
obtained on such an aircraft. Whether it has come to labour, parts, or
research no cost has been spared. The plane has been flying regularly
(average of 3 flights per month) and is ready for its next owner as the
current owner has moved on to an even larger airplane so he can accommodate
a growing family.

It began life as a standard 1947 Republic RC3 SeaBee. In 2010 the previous
owner began a complete bare-hull restoration. The primary modification was
the installation of the Robinson LS V8 engine conversion, incorporating a
GM LS-1 engine of 320HP, Freon air conditioning, and fully digital avionics
package, with a dual-channel autopilot, a dual battery backup system, and
dual fuel pickups, pumps and filters.

The baggage compartment door was enlarged and the compartment extended by
relocating the aileron cables. This gives us lots of room for gear and
luggage. 1000lb useful load off the water or land has been demonstrated.

The hydraulic system was removed and an all-electric landing gear system
was engineered to replace the original hydraulic rams. Additionally, the
rubber donut tail wheel suspension was replaced with an adjustable
hydra-sorb coil over shock.

Additionally unique to this aircraft is the billet aluminum machined
control column extensions and control knobs, featuring control wheels from
an Airbus A300.

Typical operation at 2,500ft with 23" MAP and 3300RPM results in 102 knots
TAS, using 11 gallons per hour with the economical option of premium
automotive, marine or 100LL fuel! Useable fuel is approximately 75 gallons.

This aircraft was Certified as 51% Amateur Bulit by Transport Canada MDRA.
This was achieved over 10 years by incorporating all new systems including
flight control changes, wing modifications, power plant, landing gear,
avionics, electronically, climate control, seating, flooring, firewall,
bulk heads, baggage compartment, wheels, tires, brakes, control wheels,
instrumentation, with dual battery system and dual fuel system.

The aircraft was then Imported to the USA under FAA Certified Experimental
Exhibition- Full USA practice area, no restrictions.

After several years flying in the USA it has been imported back into Canada by its current owner and being flown under the registration C-GVFF.  The aircraft is flown often and maintained and improved upon at every opportunity.
  

Avionics

-EFIS ONE Get 4 w/ synthetic terrain mapping and nav base w 2 channel auto pilot

-Garmin SL 30 Nav-Com with ILS and 2 channel monitoring

-Garmin GTX 330 Transponder

-406 ELT (ME 406)

-XM Satellite radio and weather pre wired

-All digital LED Position, anti collision, under-wing, cabin, and cargo compartment lighting

-Xenon high-discharge landing lights with Wing wag

-Full color professional wiring diagrams (MS Visio, and PDF)

-Air horn (see video attached to this ad)
  

Airframe

-475 Hours Total Time since Bare haul restoration
 
-November 2021 Annual Inspection
  

Engines / Mods

Engine: 

-Installed Robinson LS liquid cooled automotive engine conversion

-Robinson LS, model: LS-1, Serial number: K017 967


Prop: 

-Hartzell HC-A3V20-3L (Overhauled Sept 2017) Seabee AD compliant.
  

Interior / Exterior

Interior:

-Light Cream coloured leather 4 place seating
 -Removable and aesthetically pleasing teak flooring

Exterior:

-Matterhorn White w/ removable Vinyl color trim, Paint in excellent condition.  Painted in 2010, always hangared. Shows extremely well. wiped down after every flight.
  

Remarks

Performance: 

-100 knot cruise at 11 GPH

-Excellent T/O performance compared to original Franklin engine and many other conversions.

Weights:

-Empty Weight: 2790 lbs
-Gross Weight: 3800 lbs
-Useful Load: 1010 lbs
-Usable Fuel: 75 Gallons

Additional Information:

-Fit & installed new windows and seals

-Main Landing gear rebuilt and improved upon this year 

-Designed & installed all new wiring, Mil spec Teflon, coded as per drawings
 
-Installed new instrument panel 
complete with EFIS and associated interfaces 

-Designed, fabricated & installed new DUAL fuel system, two pickups, two Racor marine filters, dual Walbro elec. pumps, dual Corvette pressure regulated filters 

-Fabricated & installed new control cables & installed new pulleys. 

-Redesigned aileron system to extend baggage compartment

-Installed Robinson LS engine kit with latest upgrades (2010)

-Designed & installed new engine controls

-Designed and installed electrically operated landing gear system with proximity switches-(no micro switches)

-Modified gas tank compartment for improved maintenance

-Installed new fuel bladder complete with new SS drain tube

-Designed, fabricated, and installed new dual battery electrical system, dual back- up system

-Designed, fabricated, and installed new battery box

-Designed, fabricated, and installed new baggage compartment access system 

-Installed new floor access panels, where required; added under-floor sealed tool/ rope box

-Installed heating and Freon air-conditioning systems with fresh air pick-up 

-Designed, fabricated and installed reinforcing system for new motor mount installation

-Designed, fabricated and instilled reinforcing system for rear fuselage

-Repaired bow door skin, with locking gas shock

-Repaired main doors, with gas shocks

-Removed/replaced empennage bay 4 top skin for repair of hull reinforcement 

-Designed and installed stiffeners under horizontal stab spar

-Installed new fuel bladder to accept automotive / marine fuels

-Lower hull corrosion proofed with Chemtal AV-8 (formerly Ardrox 25)

-Installed Island Air wide spray rails
  

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