Old Aircraft Gee Bee Model R: A Cute But Dangerous Airplane
The aircraft had a very peculiar design characterized by a thick stoutly fuselage complete with low-set monoplane wings and lack of a conventional empennage. The airframe was essentially built around the massive radial piston engine mounted at the extreme forward of the design.
The cockpit was located very far aft, just in front of the vertical stabilizer, in order to give the racing pilot better vision while making crowded pylon turns. However, his extreme rearward placement allowed the forward fuselage to block all forward-low views over and out past the engine. Similarly, the small cockpit window areas forced the pilot to work harder than most.Photo credit
Old Aircraft Gee Bee Model R: A Cute But Dangerous Airplane
Old Aircraft Gee Bee Model R: A Cute But Dangerous Airplane
Russell Boardman prior to first test flight of the Gee Bee Model R1. Boardman was later killed during the 1933 Bendix Trophy race when his R1 stalled and crashed. Photo credit
Old Aircraft Gee Bee Model R: A Cute But Dangerous Airplane
Gee Bee Model R1 Super Sportster Photo credit
Old Aircraft Gee Bee Model R: A Cute But Dangerous Airplane
Gee Bee Model R1 Super Sportster and it's pilot Jimmy Doolittle in 1932. Photo credit
Old Aircraft Gee Bee Model R: A Cute But Dangerous Airplane
Gee Bee Model R Super Sportster. Photo credit
Old Aircraft Gee Bee Model R: A Cute But Dangerous Airplane
Sources: Wikipedia / Air Racing History / HowStuffWorks / Military factory
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