The Gee Bee Model Z

 

Gee Bee Model Z National Air Races - 1931	Gee Bee Model Z Cowl Detail 1931	Gee Bee Z and Lowell Bayles Winning Team - 1931 Thompson Trophy
Gee Bee Model Z With 750hp P&W Wasp Sr Note larger diameter cowl November or December 1931

Gross Weight                                 2280 lb
Empty Weight                                 1400 lb
Useful Load                                   880 lb
Seats                                              1

Length (overall)                          15 ft 1 in
Cowl Diameter                                  46 in
Span                                      23 ft 6 in
Root Chord                                   50.4 in
Rib Spacing                                   5.5 in
Spar Spacing                                 25.5 in
Airfoil                                          M-6
Incidence Angle                                3 deg
Dihedral Angle                               4.5 deg

Wing Area                                   75 sq ft
Aileron Area                               9.5 sq ft
Stabilizer Area                            8.4 sq ft
Elevator Area                              6.9 sq ft
Fin Area                                   2.2 sq ft
Rudder Area                                4.9 sq ft

Landing Gear Travel                             6 in
Tires                      23 inch Goodrich 6.5 x 10
Wheel Tread                                 71.75 in
Wheel Fairing Width                          10.5 in

High Speed                                   270 mph
Cruise Speed                                 230 mph
Landing Speed                                 80 mph

Runway Requirement                      5000 ft @ SL

Range                                         900 sm

Powerplant              P & W Wasp Jr (Supercharged)
                                   535 hp @ 2400 rpm
Fuel                                         103 gal
Oil                                           11 gal

Production                                         1
   
First Flight                               8-22-1931

Construction

- Chrome Moly steel tube fuselage.

- Covered with fabric

Flight Controls
Rudder - Cable Actuated
Ailerons - Torque tube actuated
Elevator - Push pull tube and double cables

Notes:
- Winner of 1931 Thompson Trophy at 236.24 mph

- Qualification speed for 1931 Thompson (level flight,
  1 pass each way, averaged) 267.342 mph

- Larger 750 hp Wasp Sr, new prop and cowl were installed
  after the Thompson.

- Destroyed on a speed course, December 1931, Detroit, MI
  Zantford Granville attributed the accident to a fuel cap coming loose,
  passing through the windscreen and striking the pilot.

Gee Bee Model Z Links