Air racing is usually described as a kind of motorsport in which airplanes compete by flying a fixed course. The sport began in 1909 in France and the following year the first air race was held in the United States at Dominguez Field south of Los Angeles. The Planes of Fame Air Museum. located at the Chino, California, airport, has a display of air racers.
Miles & Atwood
Shown below is full-size, flyable replica of the aircraft in which Lee Miles won the 1934 Greve Trophy Race. This was a popular air racer from 1933 to 1937.
Macchi M-39
Designed by Mario Castoldi, this Italian racer flew to a Schneider Trophy victory at Hampton Roads, Virginia in 1926. It has a top speed of 259 mph. Shown below is a full-size reproduction.
DGA-5 “Ike”
This is an oversize, flyable replica of the 1930s racer. It has a top speed of 207 mph.
Gee Bee R-1 Super Sportster
This 1932 racer has a maximum speed of 294 mph.
U.S. Army Air Corps R3C-2 Racer
This racer had a top speed of 246 mph. Shown below is a full-sized, non-flying reproduction.
More Airplane Museums
Planes of Fame: British Aircraft (Photo Diary)
Planes of Fame: Some Jet Fighters (Photo Diary)
Yanks Air Museum: Observation Aircraft (Photo Diary)
Yanks Air Museum: World War II Bombers (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Olympic Flight Museum (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: 1930s Monoplanes (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: An Overview of the Port Townsend Aero Museum (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Vintage Aircraft in the Museum of Mountain Flying (Photo Diary)
