Flying the Griffon Lionheart

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2024
  • In the late 90's aircraft designer Larry French imagined what the iconic Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing might have been if Walter Beech had been around 50 years later. French used composite materials and created a modern version of the biplane. It was sold as a kit, and six were made. The kits are no longer being made or sold. As of late 2015, only one is still flying. AOPA Live's Paul Harrop tells the story of this beautiful aircraft. For more on the Lionheart, check out Facebook.com/griffonlionheart

ความคิดเห็น • 75

  • @MikeKobb
    @MikeKobb 8 ปีที่แล้ว +68

    I'm sorry this design wasn't a bigger success. A modern Staggerwing would be such a joy.

    • @timhardin7511
      @timhardin7511 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      See: Griffon Lionheart! It's kit type DIY a/c, but definitely GORGEOUS and a Beech 17 clone.

  • @davidthorpe6139
    @davidthorpe6139 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    One of the most beautiful aircraft to ever grace the skies.

  • @OldMotoGuy54
    @OldMotoGuy54 2 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Absolutely gorgeous aircraft!!! Is there ANYONE that is considering starting to build these again? I think that it would be a very desired airplane.

  • @olivierdamiron7279
    @olivierdamiron7279 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Gorgeous, a testimony and respectful evolution of the timeless Staggerwing. Why did TH-cam wait so long to throw this into my feed?

  • @robertcecil6880
    @robertcecil6880 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Omg I have fallen in love. She is the most beautiful and remarkable aircraft ever. My flying days are past, but that being as it is, my love for the Lionheart is eternal and immediate.
    Hats off to the designer and the builder for your remarkable work.
    The legend lives, long live the Lionheart 🤷🏽‍♂️❗️

  • @Paiadakine
    @Paiadakine 8 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Beautiful Staggerwing.

  • @chrisc548
    @chrisc548 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Beautiful plane

  • @cinnamanstera6388
    @cinnamanstera6388 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    God, so beautiful, and pulled along by that beautiful R985. Criminal these weren't a bigger success.

  • @andrewryder1319
    @andrewryder1319 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    What a beautiful plane!! What a shame that only one is flying.

  • @terry12327
    @terry12327 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Got to say... "Amazing." Seen it at Oshkosh so beautiful even on the ground... Larry French is one nice and lucky guy to talk to about flying it.

  • @dwightalfred
    @dwightalfred 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Beautiful craft. Gorgeous sound.

  • @beegee22
    @beegee22 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Some airplanes just make you smile. :-)

  • @marshallhammond1099
    @marshallhammond1099 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Staggeringly beautiful.

  • @carmelonold1090
    @carmelonold1090 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Man, this plane is beautiful and flying It has to be a dream to wish of...
    💯

  • @willcall9431
    @willcall9431 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I remember this coming out as a kit. I was in awe. I think it was rather a complex build for the average home builder however. Glad there is an example flying through.

  • @elosogonzalez8739
    @elosogonzalez8739 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Through it's "WOW" factor, it just doesn't compare to the real thing. The STAGGERWING will go down as the greatest airplane of all time! I'm a bit biased as I have several hundreds of hours in the right seat! Listening to the R-985 for hours and remembering my ears ringing for days afterwards. The smells of an antique airplane that just don't exist in a new or experimental aircraft.. The attraction you get at every airport is beyond belief. As a ten year old kid I remembered getting out and your a THE ROCK STAR!
    I'm much older now and I know........... Maybe.... Just maybe.... It wasn't me they were lookin' at! It will forever be MY FAVORITE AIRPLANE! ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤!

    • @timhardin7511
      @timhardin7511 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      My Dad also flew a Staggerwing, but not a lot of hours. He loved it! It was always his dream to fly one and whenever the opportunity would arise, he would clear his schedule w/o hesitation. As to the Lionheart, I respectfully disagree with you, and I think Mr. Beech would admit the updates are also improvements. I also think the designer of the Lionheart, if building one today, would make more improvements via carbon-fiber and other advancements. It would be stronger, lighter, faster, and thus more efficient. Maybe add winglets, who knows? The ability to cruise at well over 200mph lifting and carrying the payload of a Beaver is to me, mind-boggling in an aircraft of this size, although I doubt the same cargo could be wedged into this Lionheart. LOL.

    • @elosogonzalez8739
      @elosogonzalez8739 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@timhardin7511 Ted Wells and Walter Beech certainly knew what they were doing when they put it all on paper. A timeless classic! I met designer Ted Wells at the Watsonville, CA. Fly-in in the 1970s, a real nice gentleman. He spoke of the Staggerwing and you could still see that gleam in his eyes.

  • @FreeRangeHuman4083
    @FreeRangeHuman4083 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    That is such a beautiful plane

  • @tegsingh7484
    @tegsingh7484 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This plane is really beautiful

  • @navion1946
    @navion1946 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    The 1990’s were the peak of experimental aircraft possibilities.

  • @larryblanks6765
    @larryblanks6765 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    That is just "Plane" gorgeous!

  • @dalestephan6777
    @dalestephan6777 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awesome. But I kept looking for the wing struts lol.

  • @palco22
    @palco22 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    She is a slick looking ride ! Yellow is definitely her color !

  • @dietero100
    @dietero100 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    OMG what a beautiful bird!!!

  • @upsidedowndog1256
    @upsidedowndog1256 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Gorgeous aircraft! I think Walter would have approved.

  • @pumarolz
    @pumarolz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Before the sound I was in love after it I want to build it

  • @golffit3066
    @golffit3066 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Beautiful lines

  • @mikecloud9828
    @mikecloud9828 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Beautiful footage and subject.

  • @billolsen4360
    @billolsen4360 ปีที่แล้ว

    Stunning

  • @RADThird1
    @RADThird1 6 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Very beautiful but I have to admit if I was building one I'd add struts and give up some knots.

    • @tomjohnson5597
      @tomjohnson5597 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Two years late, but I agree...beautiful airplane, she just doesn't quite look right without struts.

    • @RADThird1
      @RADThird1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @Biggus Dickus This is true but I'd add them just for the look!

    • @RADThird1
      @RADThird1 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @Biggus Dickus You're correct I'm not a pilot :0)

  • @allenbond7221
    @allenbond7221 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    She is absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!

  • @martinsavage6838
    @martinsavage6838 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Beautiful.

  • @zyruemusic
    @zyruemusic 8 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    AMAZING!!!!!

  • @tourbike
    @tourbike 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Why arent there more biwing planes, these are beautiful

  • @charlescobb86
    @charlescobb86 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    She sounds goooood!! 👏🏻👏🏻

  • @PacificDark
    @PacificDark 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I want one.

  • @jpdutoit6277
    @jpdutoit6277 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is very cool

  • @EliCohenMisterMedia
    @EliCohenMisterMedia 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Beautiful

  • @1pjlewis2
    @1pjlewis2 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Wow

  • @PRH123
    @PRH123 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I have an aviation mag from years back when it first appeared. I think it is made of wet layup fiberglass, would be interesting to see what it could do if it was carbon. Still very curious to know what aerodynamic and / or structural benefits there are (or could be) from the staggered biplane configuration but without the drag creating struts and wires.

    • @davidrte.664
      @davidrte.664 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Now carbon there is an idea

  • @neilsaeroadventures1116
    @neilsaeroadventures1116 ปีที่แล้ว

    I think I need to build an rc version of this

  • @wayneyd2
    @wayneyd2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Sad that only 6 ever made.

  • @inekemateman273
    @inekemateman273 8 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Some Airplane!

  • @alloutofdonuts3998
    @alloutofdonuts3998 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love it 💗

  • @dionbrandt6176
    @dionbrandt6176 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Sweet plane

  • @joeylandis8735
    @joeylandis8735 ปีที่แล้ว

    I would like two please

  • @111Sylvester
    @111Sylvester 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    how does the cooling air vent?

  • @Langlom100
    @Langlom100 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    By far the nest looking sexy and classy aircraft

  • @MattMorris481
    @MattMorris481 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    It’s nice but it just doesn’t look quite right. I remember this at if I’m not mistaken it was at sun n fun also.

  • @lonzo61
    @lonzo61 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Gorgeous, but it just looks like it needs a support twixt the wings. I'm sure the engineering and design negates the need for it. Still, it looks kinda weird....like something is missing.
    This is in every respect a very modern and capable airplane. WOW.

  • @joeheitz1833
    @joeheitz1833 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Beautiful no doubt. Bet the visibility is terrible tho'...

  • @justsnappy
    @justsnappy 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Where is this filmed. Looks like the Northwest.

    • @LowEarthOrbitPilot
      @LowEarthOrbitPilot 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Tullahoma, Tennessee (Likely over KTHA / Beechcraft Heritage Museum)

  • @johnnyllooddte3415
    @johnnyllooddte3415 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    where are the other 6 kits and how can we buy them..doc johnny

    • @johnnyllooddte3415
      @johnnyllooddte3415 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      can we buy the license to produce this plane and where can we see it

    • @mytubehkjt
      @mytubehkjt 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      This is a kit plane that needs to be produced. Please do it..

  • @hud86
    @hud86 หลายเดือนก่อน

    If that lower wing span was two feet shorter you wouldn’t get the “roar”

  • @normg2242
    @normg2242 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

  • @daddyinnerwavin9875
    @daddyinnerwavin9875 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    What engine is that

  • @garygullikson6349
    @garygullikson6349 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The shape of the vertical stab and rudder of the original always bothered me, the Lionheart's looks nicer.

  • @jimtheedcguy4313
    @jimtheedcguy4313 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    It’s beautiful, but something about a biplane without wing spars just rubs me the wrong way lol!

  • @leeroyholloway4277
    @leeroyholloway4277 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Good thing about that useful load... looks like about 600 pounds of crew in there.

  • @bigroy38
    @bigroy38 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Who's the attractive lady at first?

  • @machia-mw1lm
    @machia-mw1lm 7 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    No struts . Don't like it . Sorry .

    • @DanasWings
      @DanasWings 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      They're not necessary.

    • @machia0705
      @machia0705 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      parafan
      Technological arrogance.
      Redundancy=safety.

  • @sunilkumarnayak9268
    @sunilkumarnayak9268 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Beautiful plane