Gee Bee R1 Racer

The decade from 1925 to 1935 saw exciting attempts to wring more and more speed from often frail aircraft structures, the enthusiasm for these attempts being engendered by the rapidly growing sport/spectacle that began in the United States and was known as pylon racing. The classic in this category was the Thomson Trophy, first flown in 1929. The races of 1931 and 1932 were won by Granville Bee Bees, amazing planes which could reach almost 300 mph. Designed and built by the five Granville brothers (hence the popular name Gee Bee or GB), the Model R Super sportster was typical of the racing version at the peak of its development.

Mahogany Wood. Scale: 1/20. Wingspan 15 inches, Length 10 5/8 inches.