Original Lazy Bee Kit

I designed the first Lazy Bee for myself, in the late 1980s. I never imagined that I would start a business producing kits. I just wanted an RC plane that I could fly in my tiny backyard. There wasn't anything on the market that would work for that back in those days.  I'd done a lot of kit building and scratch building, and put in a lot of time studying and experimenting, and I felt confident that I could just MAKE the very thing I wanted.  

What happy times! I had a blast getting to know what the Lazy Bee was capable of. It had no trouble taking off from the short and rocky patch available to me as a  "runway". I purposely designed this plane to perform well at low speeds, but right away I could see that this plane had a unique flying aptitude.  I really loved flying it up close and personal.

 As I got to know this plane, I discovered so many lovable qualities!  Magnificent ground handling. An easy-to-fly, stable personality--including an inclination to return to straight-and-level if I took my hands off the controls. Maneuverability and agility for performing stunts which took on a new charm at low speeds. Hardiness to face winds that my other planes could never fly in.

I could do loops and rolls--a few feet off the ground--or put the Bee into a spin, and pull it out, right above the ground.  Sometimes, instead of landing it, I would simply catch it. 

 As I became more confident and daring with performing stunts close to the ground, I discovered other traits that further endeared the Lazy Bee to me: durability and crash survivability!  Although the Lazy Bee is an extremely docile plane if you are simply FLYING it, for a few years I chose to put this plane into all types of treacherous situations, many of which ended with a crash. Time and time again, there would be little or no damage. Maybe a small repair. Then back into the air!  

 Eventually some of my flying buddies saw my Lazy Bee. When I started flying it in public fields,  some of the guys would laugh a bit. "There's Betty Boop's airplane!"  But after they saw it fly, so many modelers would offer me money for the plane or for blueprints that I decided to go into business as Clancy Aviation.

 I discovered that it is one thing to make a plane that flies well, and quite another thing to create a kit and instructions so that other people can make that plane, too! I put great care into making detailed instructions. I put my phone number on the blueprints so that builders could call me if they needed help.

The Lazy Bee quickly became popular with both beginners and experts. It really is a great plane to learn to fly with…  yet fun to fly if you are a hot pilot. I'm especially proud to say that my kits gained a reputation for high quality, and for being fun to build. 

The Lazy Bee Kit that I sell now at Andy Clancy Designs is the same plane.  However, the kit has been updated and upgraded. I make it myself with one of the best laser cutters available, using wood I carefully choose for the job it will do. I want your plane to be as good as mine, and I personally guarantee the quality. 

Its design has been updated to make building it a little easier and to use the latest motors. It is stronger than the original and just as lightweight.  The Kit can be built with either a 40 or 48 inch wingspan.