Gee Bee R-2
by unknown

This painting reminds me so much of a recent airshow visit at which my younger son and I were fortunate enough to see the Gee Bee R-2 up close.  I can almost hear the young boy saying "Look! Daddy! What a big airplane, and so fast!"

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The Gee Bee...the airplane of an era.  The Granville Brothers' creations; The Model R-1 piloted by Jimmy Doolittle in 1932, reached the unbelievable speed of 296.2 mph; the Model R-2 (depicted above)  was identical to the R-1, except for a slightly different curve to the cowling.

Designed for the Bendix Transcontinental Race, the R-2 had a smaller engine than the R-1 in order to gain fuel economy (the Wasp Jr, 985ci, 530hp).  Bearing the title of "Pilot Killer" for many years, the Gee Bee Racers were tough to fly. 
 

Replica R-2

Recently, a true-to-scale replica was built by Delmar Benjamin and Steve Wolf.  Later flown on numerous flights and at many airshows the little "Engine in a Barrel" airplane proved to indeed be tough to fly, but it certainly CAN be flown safely at the hands of a skilled pilot.
 

Benjamin demonstrates the R-2's abilities
 

Today the replica R-2 is owned by the Fantasy of Flight Museum in Polk City, Florida.
 

2002 Wings Publishing