"If there was a Gee Bee on the ramp, I’d fly it." Delmar Benjamin - 1983.Thus began the story of the Gee Bee R-2 replica, but it wasn’t until some six years later that Steve Wolf and Delmar Benjamin seriously started talking about its construction. But why choose this aircraft with such a checkered past? As Delmar puts it, "Part of the reason that I wanted to build it was because there are 60 years worth of wild stories about this plane, but nobody has flown it for that long either. I just thought I should do it". But Delmar also has a healthy respect for what can happen. "It is a dangerous plane, there is no doubt about that. Anything that stalls at 100 knots and has the glide ratio of a manhole cover is not a safe airplane." It could very well be said that the aircraft history was more bad luck than bad design. Maybe it was a "flyable" aircraft, if so building the replica would serve to vindicate the Gee Bee design and dispel some of the myths.Of primary consideration was which of the Granville Brothers (G.B. or Gee Bee - the origin of the aircraft’s name) models would be chosen for the project. This was in fact an easy decision. The most famous combination of race plane and pilot was Jimmy Doolittle and the big red and white R-1 Thompson Trophy racer. However, the replica was going to have to built on a budget and reliability would be paramount. The R-1 had a larger engine, a Pratt and Whitney R-1340, and was used for pylon racing. Jimmy Doolittle raced it only once and only accumulated 3 1/2 hours total flying time on it. The R-2, on the other hand, had a smaller more fuel efficient R-985 and was used for cross-country races. Considering the fact that Lee Gehlbach had flown the original R-2 some 31 hours, including the Bendix Trophy Race, without damaging it or himself - the R-2 became the clear choice. Now the biggest problem was getting some working drawings of the aircraft so that the replica could be built. The original plans, some 300 sheets, were still in existence. However, the Granville family was insistent that the drawings not be released to anyone wanting to build a flying replica. As luck would have it, the New England Air Museum was then building an exact, non-flying replica of the R-1 using the original drawings. Also Pete Miller, the R-Model airplanes’ chief engineer, lived near the museum. Learning of this, Delmar Benjamin and Steve Wolf visited the museum where the replica was being built. They took hundreds of pictures and measurements (thanks to the cooperation of project manager Bob North). They also talked at length with Pete Miller, who gave them some invaluable insight. Another break in the project came in the form of Vern Clements, a Gee Bee fanatic who has built some extremely accurate flying models based on his Miller-verified drawings. Armed with the above, Steve and Delmar were now able to create their own plans. All that remained was to figure out if any changes would be required.It was decided that NO changes to the aerodynamic design would be done. Changing anything to enhance the flying qualities would not prove to dispel the myth of the Gee Bee. Aside from some modifications to the brakes, tailwheel, emergency escape exit and fuel flow mods (Steve knew in the back of his mind that with Delmar at the controls, this airplane would be flown inverted) the aircraft would be as its designer intended it to be. The replica would be a true reproduction of the Granville design. Even the paint scheme, colors and numbers on the Gee Bee Replica are the same as the original. The name "SARA" on the cowl is actually an acronym and stands for the Springfield Air Racing Association. The dice and the numbers "7" and "11" were used to depict the dice game "craps" where these numbers are considered lucky - thinking the pilots needed all the luck they could get!The original plan was to build the replica over a full year.... with Steve doing the work on the main structure at his aircraft shop in Oregon and Delmar doing the sheet metal and "iron pounding". And so, after some 6,000 man hours of work by Steve and Delmar... the dream became reality! And now, with many hours flown, the myth of the Gee Bee being a "killer machine" has finally been put to rest....... The above is but a small glimpse of how and why Steve Wolf and Delmar Benjamin came to build the Gee Bee R-2 replica. To get a true picture of how they felt, what was gained from research, complete construction details from start to finish, test flights as well as the smiles and tears of the people associated with this spectacular little airplane..... a visit the gift shop to purchase their book "Gee Bee" is the only winning ticket!
http://www.geebee.comMy buddy Delmar. . .ok. . he probably doesnt even remember my name. . .but we used to chill together. . ok. . near each other at airshows. . .lolTX-EcoDragon
