Granville Brothers Aircraft
Gee Bee Model R Super Sportster
The Gee Bee Model R Super Sportster, built by the Granville Brothers Aircraft in the early 1930s, epitomized the daring pursuit of speed that defined the Golden Age of air racing. First flown in 1932, the Model R was the most powerful member of the Gee Bee series, powered by a 535‑horsepower Pratt & Whitney R‑985 Wasp Junior radial engine that propelled the aircraft to a record‑breaking 267 mph during the 1932 Thompson Trophy race. Its distinctive teardrop‑shaped fuselage, compact wingspan of just 19 feet, and streamlined cowling minimized drag, while the wooden monocoque construction provided a lightweight yet rigid structure. The aircraft’s fixed landing gear, mounted on streamlined fairings, further reduced aerodynamic resistance. Although only one Model R was completed before the tragic 1934 crash that claimed pilot Jimmy Doolittle’s friend and a Granville brother, the plane’s unprecedented speed and daring design left an indelible mark on aviation. It inspired subsequent racing aircraft, demonstrated the limits of small‑plane performance, and cemented the Gee Bee legacy as a symbol of American ingenuity and the relentless quest for air‑speed supremacy. The sole Model R now resides at the National Air and Space Museum, honoring its daring legacy.
Classification
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 2
- First Flight
- 1932
- Service Entry
- 1932
Design & Classification
- Manufacturer
- Granville Brothers Aircraft
- Operator
-
United States
- Wikidata ID
- Q1543289