BoeingFan7879
Gee Bee R-1 Racer
After the Gee Bee Model Z swept the 1931 Thompson Trophy races, the Granville Brothers wanted to build on their success with an even better racer. After extensive wind tunnel tests of models, they found that a teardrop was the most efficient fuselage shape for an aircraft the size of the Gee Bees. This was incorporated in the new designs, dubbed the R-1 and R-2. The R-1 was designed for short-circuit air racing (like the Thompson race), while the R-2 was for long-distance racing (like the Bendix Trophy race).
Like the other Gee Bees, the R series' stubby shape was dictated by the desire to match the most powerful engine to the smallest aircraft possible. It was extensively streamlined, and the cockpit was set to the base of the tail. This was not only to maintain the aircraft's aerodynamics but also to give the pilot better visibility in flight while making turns; it did give the pilot poor handling on the ground, but that was less of a concern. Like the other Gee Bees, the R series was a handful to fly, unstable and unforgiving, and required an expert pilot.
The Granvilles were prepared to give the R-1 its debut at the 1932 Cleveland Air Races, but they were missing that expert pilot. They quickly found one: James "Jimmy" Doolittle planned to compete in his Laird Super Solution, but he was forced to belly land the aircraft during tests. Doolittle was asked if he wanted to try on the R-1, and he agreed that he would never shy away from a challenge. Doolittle won easily, overlapping all but one aircraft and never being forced into making tight turns, allowing the Gee Bee to do what it did best: go fast. Doolittle had set a new landplane aircraft speed record at 296mph (476kph).
The Granvilles were happy with the R series, but unfortunately, the 1932 Cleveland Air Races proved the high point. Another pilot, Russell Boardman—who Doolittle hoped would take the R-1 over 300 mph (482kph)—was killed during the 1933 Bendix race when he stalled. The R-1 was repaired using parts from the R-2, with a longer tail, but this aircraft was damaged during a landing accident. It was repaired again and sold to Cecil Allen, who modified the aircraft with a new wing and a rear fuel tank, but he was killed while taking off for the 1935 Bendix race: the rear tank had destabilized the R-1 beyond the hope of recovery. By then, the Granville Brothers had gone bust, ending the Gee Bee story.
A few replicas (mostly non-flying) of the R-1 have been built over the years. This one on display at the Planes of Fame is painted as Doolittle's aircraft at the 1932 Cleveland races, with the race number 11 on the fuselage and "7-11" on the nose—which is a winning throw in a game of craps. As you can see, this model was the inspiration for the character El Chupacabra in the 2013 Disney movie Planes.
Gee Bee R-1 Racer
After the Gee Bee Model Z swept the 1931 Thompson Trophy races, the Granville Brothers wanted to build on their success with an even better racer. After extensive wind tunnel tests of models, they found that a teardrop was the most efficient fuselage shape for an aircraft the size of the Gee Bees. This was incorporated in the new designs, dubbed the R-1 and R-2. The R-1 was designed for short-circuit air racing (like the Thompson race), while the R-2 was for long-distance racing (like the Bendix Trophy race).
Like the other Gee Bees, the R series' stubby shape was dictated by the desire to match the most powerful engine to the smallest aircraft possible. It was extensively streamlined, and the cockpit was set to the base of the tail. This was not only to maintain the aircraft's aerodynamics but also to give the pilot better visibility in flight while making turns; it did give the pilot poor handling on the ground, but that was less of a concern. Like the other Gee Bees, the R series was a handful to fly, unstable and unforgiving, and required an expert pilot.
The Granvilles were prepared to give the R-1 its debut at the 1932 Cleveland Air Races, but they were missing that expert pilot. They quickly found one: James "Jimmy" Doolittle planned to compete in his Laird Super Solution, but he was forced to belly land the aircraft during tests. Doolittle was asked if he wanted to try on the R-1, and he agreed that he would never shy away from a challenge. Doolittle won easily, overlapping all but one aircraft and never being forced into making tight turns, allowing the Gee Bee to do what it did best: go fast. Doolittle had set a new landplane aircraft speed record at 296mph (476kph).
The Granvilles were happy with the R series, but unfortunately, the 1932 Cleveland Air Races proved the high point. Another pilot, Russell Boardman—who Doolittle hoped would take the R-1 over 300 mph (482kph)—was killed during the 1933 Bendix race when he stalled. The R-1 was repaired using parts from the R-2, with a longer tail, but this aircraft was damaged during a landing accident. It was repaired again and sold to Cecil Allen, who modified the aircraft with a new wing and a rear fuel tank, but he was killed while taking off for the 1935 Bendix race: the rear tank had destabilized the R-1 beyond the hope of recovery. By then, the Granville Brothers had gone bust, ending the Gee Bee story.
A few replicas (mostly non-flying) of the R-1 have been built over the years. This one on display at the Planes of Fame is painted as Doolittle's aircraft at the 1932 Cleveland races, with the race number 11 on the fuselage and "7-11" on the nose—which is a winning throw in a game of craps. As you can see, this model was the inspiration for the character El Chupacabra in the 2013 Disney movie Planes.