Jump to content
Model Cars Magazine Forum

Rocketeer Gee Bee R-1 “Betty”


Recommended Posts

  • 4 weeks later...

Actually according to the Lowell Bayles biography, it was first believed that aileron flutter caused structural failure when the wing folded just outboard of the flying wires attaching point, but further frame by frame inspection of the crash film showed the gas cap coming off and crashing through the canopy, it is believed that caused Bayles to be knocked unconscious and pull back on the stick and at the estimated speed of 330 mph the wings didn't hold up to such a violent maneuver and resulted in structural failure.

A further search of the flight path resulted in finding the gas cap beside the railroad tracks considerably before the crash site.

The plane was destroyed in the crash and ensuing fire, but the violence of the crash resulted in the finding of Bayles body over 300 feet from the crash site.

Edited by horsepower
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...