GEE-BEE "Z" MODEL SUPER SPORTSTER

Historical Note:    Our Gee-Bee Model Z Super Sportster model aircraft is modeled and handcrafted using various high-quality grade materials by our renowned master craftsmen.  Our Gee-Bee Model Z Super Sportster model aircraft is uniquely designed and manufactured using the latest innovations and techniques applied in the over-all manufacturing and operation process procedures.  The model airplane’s parts including the fuselage, wings and glass cockpit are extremely accurate and precise based on the original. This model aircraft will fascinate anyone, aviation enthusiast and model aircraft collectors alike for its remarkable and exceptional quality.  This elegant Gee-Bee Model Z Super Sportster model aircraft is definitely the perfect gift and collectible you would want to give to your friends and family.

Scale:    1:20
W/S:      14.25    inches
Lgth:      9.0    inches

Item Number:    TMC-KGBZTE                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Price:    $169.95

Historical Note Cont'd:    The Gee Bee R-1 Super Sportster is a special purpose racing aircraft made by Granville Brothers (Gee Bee means Granville Brothers) Aircraft of Springfield, Massachusetts.

The 1932 R-1 and its sister ship, R-2 were the successors of the previous year's Thompson Trophy which won the model Z.  The R-1, piloted by Jimmy Doolittle, won the 1932 Thompson Trophy cross country speed race, setting a new world landplane speed record of 476 k/ph in the Shell Speed Dash.  But the R-1 rapidly earned the reputation of being a very dangerous machine due to its small wings, very low polar moment of inertia and tiny control surfaces.  Unfortunately, the R-1's shortcoming was common to most racers of the day.  During the 1933 Thompson trophy race, Russell Boardman was killed flying number 11, wherein it stalled, caught a wingtip and crashed.  The plane didn't underwent rebuilding anymore.

The R-1 was later repaired with parts from the crashed R-2, creating the "Long Tail Racer."  But soon, it also crashed soon after it was built and luckily, its pilot wasn't severly injured.  Another rebuilding followed, and it was then sold to Cecil Allen.  Allen modified the R-1 with larger gas tanks aft of center, making the aircraft unstable in pitch.

The Gee Bee Super Sportster R-1 has a maximum speed of 294.38 mph and a range of 925 miles.