Gee Bee Model R-1 Specifications

Gross Weight                                 3075 lb
Empty Weight                                 1840 lb

Wing Area (incl ailerons)                101.9 sq ft
Aileron Area (total)                      11.1 sq ft
Stabilizer Area                            7.5 sq ft
Elevator Area                             8.06 sq ft
Fin Area                                   2.4 sq ft
Rudder Area                                7.3 sq ft
Wing Span                                      25 ft
Root Chord                                     53 in
Aspect Ratio                                    6.14
Airfoil                               M-6 (modified)
Incidence                                    2.5 deg
Dihedral                                     4.5 deg

Length                                       17.5 ft
Max Fuselage Diameter                          61 in
Wheel tread                                    76 in
Wheels                                      6.5 x 10
Tailwheel                                    6 x 2.5
Ground Angle                                  16 deg

Max Level Speed                          296.287 mph
Cruise Speed                                 260 mph
Stall Speed                                   90 mph
Landing Speed                                 80 mph

Rate of Climb (SL)                          6100 fpm
Endurance (full throttle)                    2.14 hr
Range (full throttle)                         630 sm
Range (cruise)                                925 sm

Powerplant                    P & W Wasp R-1340-T3D1
Power                              730 hp @ 2300 rpm
Engine displacement                       1344 cu in
Bore and storke                          5.75 x 5.75
Compression ratio                                6:1
Blower Ratio                                    12:1

Prop                                Smith Adjustable
Prop diameter                                   8 ft

Fuel                                         160 gal
Oil                                           18 gal

First Flight                               8-23-1932


Notes:

- The Rudder/vertical fin were englarged after the first flight.

- Jimmy Doolittle flying the R1 Won the 1932 Thompson Trophy (252.686 mph)

- Re-engined with an 800hp P&W Hornet for the 1933 Races.

- A 10 inch Rudder extension was added at the lower end of the rudder when it was re-engined.

- Destroyed on Take-off in Indianapoli during the 1933 Bendix Race.  Witness described
  a premature takeoff followed by a snap roll.  Winds were quartering.  Quartering wind, left
  turning tendancies (Torque, P-factor and slipstream effect) and the airplanes long takeoff
  roll were contributing factors.

Gee Bee Model R-2 Specifications

Gross Weight                                3883 lbs
Empty Weight                                1796 lbs

Powerplant                             P & W Wasp Jr
Power                              530 hp @ 2300 rpm
Engine displacement                        985 cu in
Bore and storke                          5.19 x 5.19

Fuel                                         302 gal
Oil                                           20 gal

Max Level Speed                              257 mph
Cruise Speed                                       ?
Stall Speed                                   90 mph
Landing Speed (1932)                          80 mph
Landing Speed (1933)                          65 mph
Rate of Climb (SL)                                 ?
Range                                       1000+ sm

First Flight                               8-21-1932

Notes:

- R2 was equipped with wing tip lights (R1 did not have them.)

- In 1933 the R2 was re-engined with the R1's R-1340-T3D1

- Flaps added in 1933 were 2 segement split flaps on lower surface of wing only.
  (Patent 2,006,391) (aka wing brakes or air brakes)

- Flaps lowered landing speed to 65mph

- During the 1933 Bendix, on an unscheduled fuel stop in Indianapolis Thaw ground looped
  the aircraft on landing.  Minor damage to the aileron and gear resulted.  Pilot elected
  to not complete the race.

Gee Bee Model R Links