{"product_id":"lindberg-70561-gee-bee-r-1-air-racer-1-32-plastic-model-aircraft-kit","title":"Lindberg 70561 Gee Bee R-1 Air Racer — 1:32 Plastic model aircraft kit","description":"\u003cp\u003eManufacturer: Lindberg\n\u003cbr\u003eKit number: 70561\n\u003cbr\u003eAircraft: Granville Brothers Gee Bee R-1 Super Sportster\n\u003cbr\u003eScale: 1:32\n\u003cbr\u003eBarcode \/ UPC: 858280705616\n\u003cbr\u003eKit type: Injection-moulded plastic aircraft kit\n\u003cbr\u003eSkill level: 2 \/ relatively straightforward construction\n\u003cbr\u003eOriginal kit date: The 70561 boxing is associated with a 1992 manufacture date, although the underlying Lindberg tooling\/reissue history is older.\n\u003cbr\u003eThe kit\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one of Lindberg's larger-scale Golden Age racing aircraft subjects. The 1:32 scale makes the famously bulky Gee Bee particularly effective as a display model: despite the real aircraft being quite small, its enormous radial engine and barrel-shaped fuselage produce a surprisingly substantial model.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit is an injection-moulded plastic glue kit, listed by Lindberg\/Round 2 catalogues as skill level 2. The 2007–08 Lindberg catalogue lists 70561 alongside the company's other 1:32 racing aircraft, including the Laird-Turner Meteor 70562.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable kit descriptions specifically mention:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    1:32 scale\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Plastic construction\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Pilot figure\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Detailed cockpit\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Detailed radial engine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Aircraft components and undercarriage\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Decals\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Rigging wire\/fine wire supplied for the flying wires\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Glue assembly\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA modeller who built the kit notes that the supplied rigging wire is included and that the pilot figure is noticeably underscale, appearing closer to approximately 1:48 than 1:32. The same build describes the kit as having some soft\/sloppy engraving and requiring filling and sanding in places, which is useful information when assessing it as a vintage rather than modern-tool kit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit is specifically intended to represent the Gee Bee R-1, rather than being a generic Gee Bee kit. The R-1's distinctive short-range racing configuration includes its large engine and characteristic red-and-white racing scheme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere are, however, some confusing references online because R-1 and R-2 kits are often discussed together. They were closely related aircraft, but the Lindberg 70561 is catalogued as the Gee Bee Air Racer\/R-1, whereas Williams Brothers produced a separate 1:32 R-1\/R-2 family.\n\u003cbr\u003eKit\/tooling history\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Lindberg Gee Bee has considerable vintage-kit interest. The kit database records Lindberg 70561 as an injection-moulded 1:32 Granville Brothers Gee Bee, while the 2007–08 catalogue identifies it as a current Lindberg offering at that time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt was subsequently reissued, so the 1992 date should not automatically be treated as the original tooling date. Collectors may encounter different box artwork and packaging while the basic kit remains the same.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit has also acquired something of a reputation among modellers as a simple but old-fashioned kit. Contemporary build reports suggest the basic shapes are recognisable and the finished model can look very good, but the builder should expect more traditional modelling work than with a modern precision-moulded kit. One experienced modeller described it as comparable to a good-quality short-run kit, with some untidy panel engraving and areas requiring substantial preparation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis makes the condition of the contents particularly important when valuing one. A sealed kit is much more desirable than an opened example with the small rigging wire, decals or pilot missing.\n\u003cbr\u003eThe real aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gee Bee R-1 Super Sportster was built by Granville Brothers Aircraft of Springfield, Massachusetts, specifically for the 1932 air-racing season. The R-1 and its sister R-2 developed from the earlier Gee Bee Model Z.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft was deliberately designed around one overriding objective: maximum speed in air racing. It had a huge radial engine, very short fuselage and an exceptionally large, bulbous engine cowling\/fuselage combination. The unusual shape was intended to minimise drag while enclosing the powerful engine and fuel system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe R-1 used a Wasp radial engine, while the R-2 was optimised for longer-distance racing with a different engine\/fuel arrangement. The two aircraft looked extremely similar but were designed for different race requirements.\n\u003cbr\u003eJimmy Doolittle and the 1932 Thompson Trophy\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe R-1's greatest claim to fame came in 1932, when Jimmy Doolittle flew it to victory in the Thompson Trophy Race.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDoolittle's R-1, registered NR2100 and carrying race number 11, became one of the most famous racing aircraft of the period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt was capable of approximately 296 mph in a Shell Speed Dash, an extraordinary speed for a propeller-driven aircraft of its era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe R-1's racing career was nevertheless extremely short. The combination of tremendous power, high wing loading and demanding handling characteristics made the Gee Bee racers difficult aircraft, and several Gee Bee pilots were killed in accidents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe surviving reputation of the aircraft has consequently been shaped by both its spectacular speed and its dangerous reputation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA replica R-1\/R-2 lineage aircraft later demonstrated that, in experienced hands, the basic design could be flown successfully and safely, but the original aircraft operated at the limits of contemporary racing technology.\n\u003cbr\u003eSpecifications of the R-1\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe important characteristics of the full-size R-1 included:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Country: United States\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Manufacturer: Granville Brothers Aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Role: Air racer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Crew: 1\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    First flight: 1932\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Engine: Pratt \u0026amp; Whitney R-1340 Wasp\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Power: approximately 800 hp in racing configuration\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Maximum speed: approximately 296 mph in its fastest documented racing performance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft's compact dimensions are one reason the 1:32 model is such an attractive size. The real R-1 had a relatively short fuselage but an enormous engine and extremely deep fuselage, giving it the famous \"barrel with wings\" appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lindberg","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57509849792892,"sku":"Lindberg-70561","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/sussex-model-centre.co.uk\/products\/lindberg-70561-gee-bee-r-1-air-racer-1-32-plastic-model-aircraft-kit","provider":"Sussex Model Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}