| The Gee Bee R-1 is probably the most recognized of all 1930's race planes. The stubby little airplane was the epitome of the classic Granville Brothers designs. Built in 1932, the R-1 was very fast and powerful, but it was also very difficult to fly. The pilot originally chosen to fly the R-1 was unable to participate because of injuries suffered in a crash, so pilot Jimmy Doolittle took over, and in 1932 raced the Shell Speed Dash with a speed of 296.29 mph and easily won the event. In the Thompson Trophy Race, Doolittle lapped his competition, winning the Thompson Trophy. The original R-1 pilot finally got to fly in the R-1 in the 1933 Bendix race, but while taking off from Indianapolis, he stalled the airplane on takeoff, killing himself and destroying the R-1. This incident was to bolster the controversy over the safety of the Granville designs. The Crawford Museum's R-1, is a reproduction of the airplane flown by Jimmy Doolittle at the 1932 National Air Races. It is painted as the original. The Crawford's R-1 replica is currently being reskinned for future display in the museum. |
