I was fortunate to be present to see the R2 Replica being flown by Delmar Benjamin at an event in Arizona in the 1990's. I flew in my Starduster II Biplane and was parked close to the GeeBee R2. I had quite a conversation with Benjamin that I will remember forever.
Fantastic, but demanding airplane! Note the amount of rudder action during the takeoff run, and just prior to touchdown....Delmar is such a gifted pilot, with balls of steel!
carloko08 the only thing this video is missing is an explosion somewhere in the background . I bet Delmar would not bother to turn to look at it either
Delmar and Kermit have done so much for aviation, and it's not to do with the amount or exotic types in their logbooks its that they proved that literally anyone with a dream to fly can achieve and go beyond the dream, the notion of clean cut, RayBan's wearing perfectly balanced aviators went right out the window with men like them.
I watched him fly it at SnF '96. i couldn't believe my eyes then, and my good fortune as I look back on that day. His airshow routine in the GeeBee was on par with anything I've ever watched.
Jimmy was my great grandpas cousin, the man did a lot in his life and was once the fastest man on earth. He had big balls for sure. That mullet is sadly fantastic, his wife sounded like she was pretty moist downstairs after he landed
Delmar flew his GeeBee at KAWO one time and I got to see it up close on the ground. I looked over and the guy standing next to me was him. I introduced myself and said, 'I have to tell you, this thing scares the bejesus out of me just looking at it!' Delmar replied, 'Me too' ;)
Delmar flew into the Pocatello Id Airport one day in 1998 w/ the R2 to refuel, refresh and have a chat w/ my A&P instructor John Baken. They knew each other, John was the regional Experimental Aircraft Association's president and a Great representative of Idaho's "Get er Done" attitude. Delmar pulled up to our old B-17 Hanger/Classroom and when the side hatch opened his teen daughter stepped out first and then Delmar. I guess her seat was up against the Firewall, facing aft. (I'd have paid good Money to just Sit in that seat for a flight!) He was kind enough to allow some annoying questions from the eager students and while explaining the R2's flight characteristics he said to Never take off or land under 90 Kts. He also explained how he'd almost learned the hard way why so many of the Original Gee Bee's crashed in violent Snap Rolls back in the day. He said the Ailerons would bind up and lock in Hi G turns, and so the Replica was modified to remedy that problem. Delmar is a highly instinctual Pilot w/ Chuck Yeager like skills in the Pilots seat. It was a Real Treat to meet him !
I always thought the GeeBee was more of a guided motor than an airplane. The wings just counteract engine torque and everything else is following the prop.
In honor of these brave pilots who died flying this type of craft. Though some models were enhanced beyond the Granville brothers recommendations. Lowell R. Bayles... Dec. 5, 1931 Russell Boardman... July 2, 1933 Florence Klingensmith... Sept. 4, 1933 Cecil Allen... Aug. 30, 1935 Francisco Sarabia... June 7, 1939
That was definitely not a beginner's mullet. You have to be committed to pull something like that off. Building and flying your own GeeBee was impressive enough.
You can imagine what it was like in all the airshow hospitality tents after the show with all the jet and warbird jockeys barely able to fit their egos into the tent, and then Delmar walks in and they all look at their shoes 😂
Talented Kid,,, The Epitome of "Cool Hand Luke",,, Talented Kid... So Few Can Do,,, But He Is One ,,, He Can Do... All The Shows He Put On,,, and Never a Hair Out of Place, As Far As The Spectators Knew...
amazing video this, i never heard about this plane, look like a Miyasaki´s Ghibli Studio aircraft design, incredible lines and with a look of a epic peaceful-east-pre-war Miyasaki´s tale, the canopy and the entire concept is incredible, the pilot is a brave man, anyway i see many dangerous moments overall during the take off and landing coz in the air was simply amazing, this planes are to sell or are just personal proyects?
To get any control from the ailerons etc. you need a lot of wind over the control surfaces. Without it the plane will stall. Like a bee, it takes power to over come the weight of the plane, because the wings are so small.
Everybody laughing, but you could feel the tension preflight...everyone well knew this flight may not go well, especially Delmar and his wife...they knew well that their embrace might be their last, and you could tell it...
It should have been called the Bumble Bee! Have you ever seen a bee who loses his air on his wings? He spins into the ground, but usually recovers. Because he is more than 3 mistakes high. RC fans will understand.
What Kermit Weeks' aerodynamicist showed with flutter testing was even scarier.......from its onset, til total destruction , could be measured in probably less than two seconds.
Wonderful to see this. Big fan of this aircraft. But, wish it contained more information instead of happy people. The original R2 had a 550 HP motor, does this one ? Also, the original had two gas tanks that held 302 gallons of fuel. Built for cross country Bendix race. From Burbank CA. To Cleveland, Ohio. The R1 was fitted out with an 800 HP motor, and a 160 gallon fuel tank. Built more for the Thompson pylon races. There was also a special type of propeller created for these planes too. Wish there was more information given here.
yea i think the same, but that was a man of 80`, hard as a rock, that times was like roman soldiers way, BRUTE, nowadays that flight would not have been authorized if it had not had elements of protection as you say, nomex suit and a helmet
What are they on? They are on , it's over and I'm still alive. Coming back from Vietnam and Desert Storm at wheels up we cheered, we laughed, we cried; we were still alive.
Hannes Lutzenberger okay thanks......I've heard of Fantasy of Flight but haven't had a chance to get there yet, i watch kermits "Kermie Cams" all the time, I live in the northwest panhandle of Florida just a few hours away
You live only few hours away and you never made it to that amazing place? We fly from Germany to the US only to see the Gee Bee :-) So come on, life is short!
I saw this plane fly at an airshow. Unfortunately some dumb ass decided that was a good time to fire up the engines on a big four engine plane. So I did not get to hear the GeeBees engine as it passed.
