ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 42
Jimmy Doolittle, one of the greatest air racing pilots in history, and the Gee Bee R-1.
Jimmy Doolittle was highly respected for winning the Schneider Trophy in
1925 and other races, and also made the first ever blind instrument landing for Sperry
Gyroscope in 1929. He also earned the first ever doctorate in aeronautical engineering
from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
In preparation for the 1933 races,
the brothers made more improvements.
R-1 would be fitted with an even larger
engine, and R-1's "old" engine would
put in R-2. R-2 would also get a new
wing. Both Gee Bees would get larger
rudders to fight the more powerful
engine torque. Experienced pilots were
assigned, with Russell Boardman flying
R-1 and Russell Thaw in R-2.
On the first leg of the Bendix race,
Thaw stopped for fuel in Indianapolis,
but, on landing, a wing caught the
ground and swung R-2 around,
damaging the wingtip. He pushed it into
a hangar for a quick repair.
42
* T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F I S TAT
Then Boardman arrived for fuel for
R-1. He chatted briefly with Thaw, then
began to take off to get back into the
race, but immediately after becoming
airborne, R-1 stalled, rolled over and
crashed upside down on the runway.
Boardman was rushed to a hospital,
leaving Thaw so shaken that he chose
to drop out of the race. Boardman died
the next day.
Granny, waiting in Los Angeles,
got the news. Rather than go home
completely empty-handed, he borrowed
a Gee Bee Model Y from another pilot
and entered it in the Thompson Race.
He knew he wouldn't win, but he came
in last and won $375. But maybe R-2
could win some events in Chicago
and Indianapolis.
Sad Ending,
2 More Crashes
Russell Thaw flew the R-2 from
Indianapolis back to New York, and
Jimmy Haislip took it onward to
Springfield for repairs. He took it on
several test and practice flights, but he
crashed it before it could be entered
into any more races. He survived.
The R-1 that Boardman crashed in
Indianapolis was trucked to Springfield
Photo courtesy of National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution (SI 2003-3756)
AVIATION HISTORY
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019
From the President
News & Event Calendar
Perspectives: Q&A With Peter Barrett
Slowing Down
The Joy of Giving
The Place to Be
Finding the Sweet Spot
Aviation History: The Gee Bee Racers
Appraisal: Airbus A380 and Bombardier CRJ900
ISTAT Foundation: An Evening to Celebrate – 2019 ISTAT Foundation Gala
At a Glance: Christine Rovelli
What’s Next: ISTAT Flies to Buenos Aires
Advertiser Index
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - Intro
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - Cover2
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 1
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - From the President
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 3
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 4
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 5
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 6
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 7
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - News & Event Calendar
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 9
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - Perspectives: Q&A With Peter Barrett
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 11
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 12
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 13
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - Slowing Down
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 15
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 16
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 17
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 18
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 19
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - The Joy of Giving
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 21
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 22
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 23
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 24
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 25
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - The Place to Be
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 27
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 28
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 29
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 30
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 31
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - Finding the Sweet Spot
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 33
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 34
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 35
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 36
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 37
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - Aviation History: The Gee Bee Racers
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 39
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 40
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 41
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 42
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 43
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - Appraisal: Airbus A380 and Bombardier CRJ900
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 45
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 46
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 47
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - ISTAT Foundation: An Evening to Celebrate – 2019 ISTAT Foundation Gala
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 49
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 50
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 51
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - At a Glance: Christine Rovelli
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 53
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - What’s Next: ISTAT Flies to Buenos Aires
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 55
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - Advertiser Index
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - Cover3
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - Cover4
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