The Gee Bee R-1 was designed and built for the 1932 Races. The Gee Bee R-1 is a fairly constructed aircraft. Only the best materials were used and the workmanship was incredible. The wings were covered with mahogany plywood and covered with ""balloon-fabric"" for added strength. The most unusual feature was its pilot position just ahead of the vertical fin. The R-1 and R-2 were considerably larger than the previous model Z. The R-1 and R-2 are very similar except that the R-1 has a larger and more powerful Pratt & Whitney R1340 ""Wasp"" engine and it is specifically made for the Thompson Trophy. The R-2 was built for the Bendix Trophy races. The biggest difference between the two aircraft was that the R-2 had two fuel tanks totaling a 302 gallons versus a single 160 gallon tank in the R-1. The R-2 has a 20-gallon oil tank and the R-2 also has streamlined running lights in the wings and on the tail for night flights. The R-1 has a speed of 294.38 miles per hour and a cruising range of 925 miles. |
Please note, Aircraft Spruce Canada's personnel are not certified aircraft mechanics and can only provide general support and ideas, which should not be relied upon or implemented in lieu of consulting an A&P or other qualified technician. Aircraft Spruce Canada assumes no responsibility or liability for any issue or problem which may arise from any repair, modification or other work done from this knowledge base. Any product eligibility information provided here is based on general application guides and we recommend always referring to your specific aircraft parts manual, the parts manufacturer or consulting with a qualified mechanic.