Flying the Griffon Lionheart

[@MikeKobb]

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

[@timhardin7511]

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

[@davidthorpe6139]

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

[@olivierdamiron7279]

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

[@OldMotoGuy54]

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

[@alanmcampbell]

That plane looks fantastic.

[@robertcecil6880]

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 🤷🏽‍♂️❗️

[@willcall9431]

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.

[@andrewryder1319]

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

[@Paiadakine]

Beautiful Staggerwing.

[@cinnamanstera6388]

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

[@terry12327]

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]

Beautiful craft. Gorgeous sound.

[@marshallhammond1099]

Staggeringly beautiful.

[@carmelonold1090]

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

[@tegsingh7484]

This plane is really beautiful

[@JesseOaks-ef9xn]

With reduced drag and composites it should perform even better than the original Staggerwing. I hope someone or some group will buy the design and start producing them again.

[@beegee22]

Some airplanes just make you smile. :-)

[@navion1946]

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

[@elosogonzalez8739]

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]

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]

@@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]

That is such a beautiful plane

[@dalestephan6777]

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

[@tourbike]

Why arent there more biwing planes, these are beautiful

[@palco22]

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

[@PRH123]

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]

Now carbon there is an idea

[@mikecloud9828]

Beautiful footage and subject.

[@golffit3066]

Beautiful lines

[@larryblanks6765]

That is just "Plane" gorgeous!

[@billolsen4360]

Stunning

[@dietero100]

OMG what a beautiful bird!!!

[@upsidedowndog1256]

Gorgeous aircraft! I think Walter would have approved.

[@martinsavage6838]

Beautiful.

[@RADThird1]

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

[@tomjohnson5597]

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

[@RADThird1]

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

[@RADThird1]

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

[@pumarolz]

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

[@sunilkumarnayak9268]

Beautiful plane

[@szczurrat2402]

Larry French is a good dude. Worked for Griffon. Had to leave due to epoxy. Kind of a bummer to find out I can't take much epoxy exposure. BUT, Larry and his son Jordan are good dudes. The lionheart is in a conex last I heard.

[@allenbond7221]

She is absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!

[@111Sylvester]

how does the cooling air vent?

[@miguelrodrigo3233]

ES una pena que no haya tenido más aceptación porque es un diseño clásico, pero modernizado, muy bonito. Saludos.

[@charlescobb86]

She sounds goooood!! 👏🏻👏🏻

[@zyruemusic]

AMAZING!!!!!

[@jpdutoit6277]

This is very cool

[@EliCohenMisterMedia]

Beautiful

[@PacificDark]

I want one.

[@neilsaeroadventures1116]

I think I need to build an rc version of this

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

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

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

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

[@mytubehkjt]

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

[@justsnappy]

Where is this filmed. Looks like the Northwest.

[@LowEarthOrbitPilot]

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

[@1pjlewis2]

Wow

[@wayneyd2]

Sad that only 6 ever made.

[@alloutofdonuts3998]

Love it 💗

[@dionbrandt6176]

Sweet plane

[@inekemateman273]

Some Airplane!

[@daddyinnerwavin9875]

What engine is that

[@LowEarthOrbitPilot]

Pratt & Whitney R985

[@joeylandis8735]

I would like two please

[@joeheitz1833]

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

[@MattMorris481]

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.

[@Langlom100]

By far the nest looking sexy and classy aircraft

[@lonzo61]

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.

[@normg2242]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@hud86]

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

[@garygullikson6349]

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

[@jimtheedcguy4313]

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

[@leeroyholloway4277]

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

[@matthewspry4217]

In the left seat alone 🤣

[@bigroy38]

Who's the attractive lady at first?

[@machia-mw1lm]

No struts . Don't like it . Sorry .

[@DanasWings]

They're not necessary.

[@machia0705]

parafan Technological arrogance. Redundancy=safety.

[@chrisc548]

Beautiful plane