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For decades I’ve been thumbing through my copy of Frank Zaic’s 64-65 year book. The back cover is missing, the spine is broken and the corners are dog-eared. I’ve spent many evenings just looking at all of those aircraft from forty or more years ago. I always come back to page 65 to look at Dick Warner’s Bean Bogan 865. Notes on the plan say it finished 2nd at the 64 NATS and another builder, R. Feazel, claims to have never finished lower than second during the 3 years he had flown the plane up to the time of publication. In short, I’ve developed a fascination with this design. The plane was designed to late to be NOS legal so no one flys, it I presume. I’ve read the original 1959 Flying Models article and ordered the plans from Aerodyne. I doubt that I will build it because it probably wouldn’t be completive in any event.
Just wondering if any of the mature flying set (notice I didn’t say old) has had any experience with this plane and did it glide as well as the Zaic yearbook suggests.
Earl
Guys, I just received a wonderful reply from Hank Sperzel (noted power flyer) about the Bean Bogan. With Hank’s permission, I am posting his personal e-mail to me. Enjoy.
Hi Earl, I just read your posting on the NFFS site asking about the Bean Bogan. I built the airplane 3 times! I first built it when it came out in Flying Models. I powered it with a Johnson 29 and it flew fine. The next one I built was about 1965. I was in the Air Force and was trying to make the Air Force team so I needed to fly lots of events to get the necessary point. #2 was a B/C version. I had a Johnson 35 as well as the 29 so I’d just swap engines and fly class “B” and “C”. #2 was lost at Lackland AFB because of a locked gate. I couldn’t get over that 10’ chain link fence. All I could do was watch the DT’ed Bogan settle into the shanty town just off the base, some little Mexican kid got a good airplane and a good Johnson 29. The next one I built was in 1983. This one was covered with Red and Yellow Transparent Monokote and was powered by an OS 40. I flew the airplane at the 1984 Nats in Reno and a picture of the airplane was in Flying Models. Monokote was a poor choice of covering, way to heavy. Because of the weight it was a rather mediocre airplane. I plan on another soon. The airplane, if the weight is keep within reason, is a gliding fool and I think it will do OK in the Classic events.
Hey John L.
Seems like I remember an Aeronut flying a Bean Bogan at the 70’s Bong meets…would glide forever.
Denny 😀Included with Hank’s email was a great photo of Hank holding a Bean Bogan and a 1400 inch Texan clad in red and yellow transparent monocoat. Beautifull birds. Sorry, but I don’t have the skills to up load the picture. The file has the extention .doc and is 112 KB. If you would like to see the picture email me at egriffith@cox.net or better yet get the file from me and up load it to NFFs forum. That would be good.
Bill, I asked Hank if the picture was taken at Bong and he sent the following reply.
“Nope it was taken at Mead Nebraska by my wife Joan. Tell Bill that Bob Watson still has his Bean Bogan.”
Free Fight Hank in Omaha
Denny you are really sumthin!!
From what I remember, it was Willard Smitz that had one that he flew. Ole Willard flew everything! I am still in contact with Willard and he has been attending the NATS with Tony Italiano. I seem to recall that it also was red and yellow.
Is Ralph still alive ? If he is would you know his phone number?
Last time I saw Fezell or fezxal???? was at Northeast Louisians University back in 1971. He was a union sheet metal rep in that Local. I had just loaded my Talon A-2 from giving a demminstration in speech class
He saw it and we talked for a few. One heck of a competitor.
Clay M. Parker 360-933-1925 claymparker@comcast.net Bellingham Wa.Bean Bogan #4 is underway! I have the fuselage complet but for the wing platform. The L.E./T.E. and spars for the wing and stab are cut and the LE & TE for both the wing and stab are notched to receive the ribs. I had the ribs for the wing laser cut.
Free Flight Hank
Thanks for the up date Hank. Between now and Christmas I’m going to have my plan reduced to 320 inches, put a Cyclon (.049) up front and see what happens. I believe this should be legal for Clasic Gas; right?
Earl
The AMA plan service has the large version listed at 865 inches. As I said before, I’m going to scale my down for 1/2a. If that is of any interest to you let me know.
Earl
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