HOME      Gee Bee Racers

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
 
In the early 1930's the Granville Brothers built two unique aircraft designs for racing commonly referred to as the Gee Bee racers.  The Gee Bee racers were designated the Gee Bee R-1 and R-2 Supersportsters.
 
The designs of the two Gee Bee racers were very similar to one another with the primary exception being their engines. The Gee Bee R-1 was designed for pylon racing, primarily the 1932 Thompson Trophy race. The Gee Bee R-2 was designed for straight line racing, primarily the 1932 Bendex Trophy race.
 
The distinctive design of the Gee Bee racers, built around their engines, was credited for their successful racing records. The high wing loading and small control surfaces of the Gee Bee racers made them challenging to handle for all but the most experienced pilots of the day.
 
Famed aviator Jimmy Doolittle was know for his success in piloting his Gee Bee to a win in the Thompson Trophy race of 1932. Unfortunately other pilots met their demise in the unforgiving Gee Bee airplanes.
  

Specifications

        Primary Function:
        Crew:
        Engines:
        Power:
        Weight Empty:
        Max. Weight: 
        Length:  
        Wingspan:
        Cruise Speed:
        Max. Speed:
        Initial Climb: 
        Ceiling:
        Range:
        Year Deployed:
racer
one
P & W Wasp
800 h.p.
1,840 lbs.
2,400 lbs.
17' 8"
25' 0"
260 mph
294 mph
5,000 fpm
18,000 feet
900 miles
1932 
 
Radio Control Airplane

RC International Gee Bee rc airplane.
 
Radio Control Airplanes:
 
 
 
Gee Bee 25 - 40" ARF Nitro/Electric Radio Controlled RC Airplane Model
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Pictured above is the RC Gee Bee R3 "fantasy racer" from RC International.  Wing span and length of the Gee Bee radio control airplane are  both 120". To power the RC Airplane RC International recommends a AW 215 radial engine. Construction of the rc Gee Bee radio control airplane is all fiberglass.  All up weight of the rc airplane is around 40 lbs.
 
Will Hobby has a rc Gee Bee radio control airplane. The RC airplane has a wing span of 71" and a length of 47".   You can power the radio control airplane with either a .91 two cycle or 1.20 four cycle engine.  The Gee Bee rc airplane has a fiberglass fuselage and balsa and ply built up wings.  All up weight of the radio control airplane is about 9 lbs.
 
Green Model has a smaller Gee Bee RC Airplane. The wing span of the radio control airplane is 40" and length is 30".  All balsa construction is used for the rc Gee Bee.  To power the radio control airplane you can use a Torque 2830/1095 motor.
 
Green Model has a larger Gee Bee rc Airplane with a 84 1/2" wing span.  Fuselage length of the ARF radio control airplane is 62 1/2". Power for the RC Gee Bee can come from a 1.08 to 1.60 c.i.d. two stroke or 1.22 to 1.80 four stroke engine.  
 
Cleveland Model & Supply has plans for a number of sizes of the Gee Bee rc Model Z radio control airplane.  Wing spans of the RC Airplane are 24", 36", 48" and 72".
 
Cleveland Model & Supply will sell you plans for the RC Gee Bee  Model R radio control airplane. Wing spans of the RC Airplane are 25 1/2", 38", 51", and 76 1/2".  
 
In the first picture below is the Pacific Aeromodels Gee Bee rc Model Y ARF radio control airplane built by Andy Steere,  The RC Airplane has a wing span of 82" and a length of 62 1/2".  Balsa and plywood were used to construct the radio control airplane.  For power to the RC Gee Bee you can use a 1.08 to 1.6 two cycle or 1.20 to 1.80 four cycle engine.  The radio control airplane weighs approximately 15 lbs.
 
Kit Cutters has plans, a short kit, or full kit for the rc Gee Bee Model E.  The radio control airplane is from Don Smith Plans and has a wing span of 75".  To power the Gee Bee RC Airplane you will need a .91 or larger engine.  All up weight of the radio control airplane is about 12 lbs.  
 
Kit Cutters has plans, short kits or full kits for a number of sizes of the Gee Bee rc R2. The design of the radio control airplane that Kit Cutters is selling comes from Wendel Hostetler.  The smallest RC Airplane has a wing span of 36" and should be powered with an electric motor.  Next up in size is the RC Gee Bee racers R2 with a wing span of 80" and a length of 56 1/2".  All up weight of the RC Airplane is from 22 to 25 lbs.  The giant scale Kit Cutters rc Gee Bee  radio control airplane has a 100" wing span and a 71" length. To power the radio control airplane you will need an engine from 6.0 to 8.0 c.i.d.  Upon completion the RC Airplane will weigh around 35 lbs.
 
The second picture below is of the Gee Bee RC R-2 ARF radio control airplane from Great Planes. Wing span of the RC Airplane is 68" and length is 45".  Great Planes recommends .91 to 1.08 two cycle or 1.20 four cycle engines for their rc Gee Bee radio control airplane.   The RC Airplane should weigh between 11 1/2 lbs. and 12 1/4 lbs. upon completion.
 
The final picture on this page is of the Dare Hobby Gee Bee rc airplane built from their kit. The RC Airplane is 32" in length and has a wing span of 56".  Ideal power for the Gee Bee racers radio control airplane is a .40 two stroke engine.  The all up weight of the RC Airplane should be somewhere between 4 1/2 and 6 lbs.
 
Have you built a rc Gee Bee radio control airplane or would you like to recommend a Gee Bee RC Airplane plan, ARF or kit?  If so, please email us.
   
 
Radio Control Airplane
 Andy Steere and his Gee Bee rc airplane.
 
Radio Control Airplane

Gee Bee RC Airplane from Great Planes.

Radio Control Airplane
  Dare Hobby rc Gee Bee.