Granville Gee Bee Model Z Super Sportster
Granville Brothers Aircraft · United States · first flew 1931 · light aircraft
The Granville Gee Bee Model Z was an American racing aircraft built by Granville Brothers Aircraft of Springfield, Massachusetts, with the sole intent of winning the Thompson Trophy.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 4.57 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Tiny barrel-like racing monoplane
- Single large engine in the nose
- Low wing with a span of only 7 m
Look for a very short, stubby racing monoplane with a large engine and a low wing of only 7 m span.
Specifications
- The Granville Gee Bee Model Z Super Sportster has a length of 4.57 m (15 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.01 m (23 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 430 km/h (267 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It first flew on 22 August 1931. Only one was built and it was designed by Bob Hall.
Variants
It was developed into the Gee Bee Model R.
Where you'll see it
It won the Thompson Trophy in September 1931. It was destroyed in a fatal crash on 5 December 1931, which began the reputation of later Gee Bees as killers.
Related aircraft
- Gee Bee Model Y Senior Sportster
- Gee Bee Model R Super Sportster
- Gee Bee Model R-1 Super Sportster
- Gee Bee Model A
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- Akaflieg Berlin B4 F.F.
- Berliner-Joyce OJ-2
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