NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The Travel Air Mystery Ship is best known for handily winning the September 2, 1929 Cleveland Air Races. That is where it surprised the aviation world by besting the fastest fighter aircraft of the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy. The race was open to all aircraft and was flown over a distance of 50 miles.
The aircraft got its name "Mystery Ship" from the media because few people viewed it before the race. It was the creation of the Travel Air Co of Wichita, Kansas. The Travel Air Mystery Ship was flown to Cleveland in secrecy and kept under cover in a hangar before the races.
The idea for the Travel Air Mystery Ship, officially the Model R, was conceived shortly after the 1928 air races which were dominated by military aircraft. Walter Beech, head of Travel Air, felt that his company could produce an aircraft to beat the military. The Mystery Ship was test flown just days before it was to be raced. Luckily the performance of the aircraft during the test flights exceeded all expectations.
The aircraft was a monoplane design, using the latest in streamlining technology. Various engine cowls were tried and a NACA design was found to create the least drag. The all wood wings and plywood over steel tube fuselage, while not unique, when combined with the overall design of the aircraft, proved a winning combination.
After its win in Cleveland, the Travel Air Mystery Ship went on to set a number of speed records. A total of six aircraft were constructed.
Pictured above is the rc Travel Air Mystery Ship built by Paul Weigand from a kit for sale by Fred Reese. It has a wingspan of 70" and a length of 49".
Paul powers his rc airplane with an AXI 4130/16 motor turning a 16 x 10 prop. Although
out of production for a while, you can sometimes find the kits for sale on eBay.
In the first picture below is the rc Travel Air Mystery Ship ARF on sale from Lenger Modellbau. It has a wingspan of 37" and a length of 25" and comes with a geared Speed 300 size motor. Ready to fly weight is around 20 oz.
Pictured next is the giant scale Travel Air Mystery Ship scratch built by David Grief. Wingspan is 88" and a Hacker C-15 Acro motor powers it. All up weight is about 15 1/2 lbs.
Radio Control Airplane
Paul Weigand's rc Travel Air Mystery Ship.
Radio Control Airplane
The rc ARF Travel Air Mystery Ship for sale by Lenger Modellbau.
Radio Control Airplane
Dave Grief's rc Travel Air Mystery Ship.
Kit cutters has plans, a full kit, and a short kit for sale of the Travel Air Mystery Ship rc airplane designed by Jack Swift. It has a wingspan of 69".
The AMA Plans Service has Travel Air Mystery Ship plans for sale in wingspans of 15", 22", 24", 26", 28" and 1/4 scale.
You can find plans for sale of the rc Travel Air Mystery Ship from Cleveland Model & Supply. It comes in wingspans of 21", 28", 42", 56", and 84" giant scale.
We have seen some posts to RC Groups about a "fun build" rc Travel Air Mystery Ship. It is from a 24" wingspan short kit for sale by Ozark Model Aviation.
At Aviation History.com you can find three view drawings which may help to build a rc Travel Air Mystery Ship.
At RC Universe icegs mentions the rc Travel Air Mystery Ship in a posting.
MormonMike at RC Universe was looking for a rc Travel Air Mystery Ship kit for sale.
MajorTomski
suggested a source for rc Travel Air Mystery Ship plans at RC Universe.
Ercoupe Ed of RC Groups was looking for a large Travel Air Mystery Ship rc kit for sale.
Germanseppel or RC Groups was looking for a giant scale Travel Air Mystery Ship for sale.
Baumer or RC Groups was looking for rc Travel Air Mystery Ship plans for sale.
At RC Groups kepople was looking for a rc Travel Air Mystery Ship for sale.
Paul Willenborg of RC Groups was looking for information from which he could build a rc Travel Air Mystery Ship.
Travel Air Mystery Ship
