Almost a century ago, airplane racing was the equivalent of today’s Formula 1. Saving the distances, of course. Popular in the early 20th century they were massive events that positioned racing drivers as great heroes. Also like crazy people who risked their lives every time they got on one of the planes. Among all the manufacturers of these models, the company of the Granville Brothers (the Gee Bee for its acronym in English) stood out, which went bankrupt in 1934 for killing practically all its pilots. Although also for winning almost all the races they faced.
Gee Bee Americans created the company in 1929 with the intention of manufacturing airplanes, first for sightseeing and later to compete in races that at that time were led by Europe. They also set out to create racing cars, but the idea did not come to fruition. In fact, they went bankrupt before getting down to business with their car version.
They lasted only 5 years. Its peculiar history with combat planes, added to the crack of 29 and the effect of the First World War, as well as a Second World War in the offing, ended the incipient company formed by 5 brothers from Springfield, Massachusetts.
A little history of airplane racing, Formula 1 of ’29
At the beginning of the 20th century, and as a response to the harsh years of the Great War, the world was responding to the social and economic landscape that had remained. With half Europe destroyed, there was also room for entertainment. And it is that the First World War had left some first aircraft models that could be used for something other than war purposes. In fact, Europe was the leader in this type of competitions that were capable of gathering 350,000 attendees.
The reality is that the logic of this type of event has not changed much. At least as far as Formula 1 is concerned. There is a lot of pilot, but almost everything part of the equipment and technology that was put into play. Each team competed to add a major innovation that would bring their racing plane closer to being faster, lighter and more agile. And, of course, to win without dying trying.
In this way, the Schneider Seaplane Cup was one of the favorites by the European public. Then the Thompson cup and the Bendix cup were born in the United States. Later that of Reno in Nevada, the only one that currently survives many decades of accidents.
As for how they work, the reality is that it has not changed much a century later. They competed for aircraft categories in two different modalities. The first of them was speed: the one who made the best time between two airports won. The second of them, and the most dangerous, known as circuit by pylons. While the first allowed each racing plane to fly alone, the second forced everyone to compete simultaneously, which was the meat of accidents in practically all the meetings. Both modalities are maintained today and add the one popularized by Red Bull competitions with acrobatics.
The rivalry between countries, which had just faced each other in the War and were already preparing the way for the next one, and the high cost of adding technology to the racing planes – or simply repairing them when they crashed – was too much for the racing planes. . The situation ended a long tradition.
The Gee Bee, winners and a public danger
The history of the Granville Brothers is short, but intense. They founded the company in 1929, barely surviving after the Crash of 29. To finance their activity in aircraft racing, they created a model that could be sold for commercial purposes. The Model A (Elon Musk did not invent the nomenclatures) was born with a modification: parallel seats instead of linear. This, which was very successful in the target audience, was able to finance his sports career.
After the Model A came the Model X (again Elon taking ideas) and the B, C and D. These last copies or variations of the X or Sportster and meat of being racing champions.
The first model has already competed in its experimental phase in the All-American Flying Derby (speed race) crossing the country between airports. With a speed of 250 km/h, it was considered one of the best racing planes of the moment. So much so that he managed to finish second in the 1930 competition. A year later, the first misfortune came for the Gee Bee company: the pilot, who had taken the company to the Olympus of racing planes, crashed and was killed in a competition.
However, this did not stop the Gee Bee brothers. They continued to create models capable of competing in all events. Also with such risky innovations that, depending on the moment or the weather, they were forbidden to fly. Specifically, Models B and C. At the slightest inclement weather, the racing plane would end up crashed and disintegrated. And so it happened, one of the Model C units – much faster than its predecessor and also more unstable – ended up killing its pilot, Harry ER, in 1931. In 1936, a Model D also killed pilot Channing Seabury .
Faster, more streamlined and deadlier
The years passed, and the Civil War in Spain began in style; in fact, there are rumors that one of the Gee Bee models was part of the conflict, but no evidence has ever been found. But meanwhile, the world of airplane racing continued, and the company of the Gee Bee brothers rose to a higher level.
The Model E and the Model Y were born – a moment of silence to remember, once again, Elon Musk. These units, with modifications in the cabin, the turbine and the size of the plane, were always the candidates to win the races –mainly for women–. Of course, also to finish off their pilots. The first on the list, Florence Klingensmith, who, after changing the engine for one with more capacity, started the propellers of the racing plane at 330 km/h.
However, the company insisted on variations of this model. More and more compact and faster. The Model Z, next on the list, would win the Thompson Trophy, the reigning race at the time. And although he was saved from the list of deaths, his heir – who also changed the engine for one with more capacity – ended the life of Lowell Bayles. The fuselage and the heart of the racing plane were not compatible. The vibrations ended up bursting the fuel tank, causing the tragic accident.
The latest models of racing planes, icons of history
The Gee Bee company was coming to an end, but first they created two of the best models reminiscent of racing planes. Also the most dangerous and complicated to pilot. The Model R Super Sportster of which two versions were made: R1 for pylon racing and R2 for drag racing. Both winners in their categories and breaking speed records.
The problem? The R1 was so complicated to fly that it used to disintegrate in mid-air. Russell Boardman and Cecil Allen died piloting this racing plane and Roy Minor was seriously injured.
The Gee Bees’ later racing planes didn’t fare much better. Zantford Graville died in an R6, as did Francisco Sarabia in 1938, who crashed into the Potomac River and died unable to get out of the cab. Three years earlier, the racing plane company closed down due to a history of success in the prizes, but of deaths in each and every one of the models that took flight.