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.
I am 34 now. Grew up close to aviation and when i was 9 years old at the Arlington air show in 1999 I saw Delmar and his geebee and was standing there looking and Delmar came up to me and asked if I had seen inside of it. He then took me under the rope and let me stick my head inside and then he offered to let me sit in it. He gave me one of the coolest memories of my life and I am now a private pilot of a pitts special and my dad’s old luscombe. That day I bought the history flies again on vhs and Delmar and Steve Wolff signed it. Now on a shelf in my house. It’s very cool you got to see it I hope it gave you some fun memories as it did me and many others
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
I am 34 now in 2024. When I was 9 years old at the Arlington air show in Washington state in 1999 I was standing there looking at the geebee and Delmar approached me and asked if I wanted to see inside of it. I said yes and he walked me under the rope and as I looked around inside he offered to let me sit in it and helped me inside. Delmar gave me one of the coolest memories as a kid and obviously I thought it was very neat then but I appreciate it a lot now. I am now a private pilot of a pitts special and an old Luscombe. And now greatly appreciate the skill to build and fly this airplane. Still have my vhs copy of this signed by Delmar and Steve wolff.
I remember going over to Hobby Field back when Steve was building this plane. Also remember Steve flying it over my shop. You could hear him coming and would have to go outside and watch. Amazing.
I feel so privileged to have seen this plane rip up the sky in Chino, CA. Delmar flew that thing with such a relaxed hand while passing us with a low, fast roll then a climbing outside knife edge turn. Jaw dropping stuff.
Steve Wolf was one of our A&P students at Portland Community College, I Was his sheet Metal instructor. He was a very sharp student and quick learner. Before he was a student , he flew an Aeronca Champ , doing aerobatics at Wally Olsen's Evergreen airport in Vancouver Washington .... He also did the wings for the Howard Hughs' Replica in Cottage Grove, Oregon.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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...
So, is this video about the Gee Bee's maiden flight or the Playboy magazine lifestyle behind the Cult of Delmar Benjamin and the Most Dangerous Mullet west of Montana?
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...
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.
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 😂
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!
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?
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Huge respect for Delmar as a highly skilled pilot and it says a great deal for that builder, beautiful job !
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.
I am 34 now. Grew up close to aviation and when i was 9 years old at the Arlington air show in 1999 I saw Delmar and his geebee and was standing there looking and Delmar came up to me and asked if I had seen inside of it. He then took me under the rope and let me stick my head inside and then he offered to let me sit in it. He gave me one of the coolest memories of my life and I am now a private pilot of a pitts special and my dad’s old luscombe. That day I bought the history flies again on vhs and Delmar and Steve Wolff signed it. Now on a shelf in my house. It’s very cool you got to see it I hope it gave you some fun memories as it did me and many others
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!
Lol, once he was wheels up it’d be too late to not have something.
My bee was a nasty bitch on the ground but in the air it was a great airplane to fly
This video has it all - mullets , girls , Richard petty / Indiana Jones guy, aviation, nice old guys.... This is my new favorite RUclips video!
hehehe you are right, this video have everything good, that was good times also, 80` ;)
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
That is some funny stuff
Where would we be, without Pioneers? A Most Excellent Display!!! More Power to You All ... Thanks.
I saw this airplane at an air show in the middle 90's. Benjamin was flying it. He put on a hell ofva good show.
That was really exciting! Thanks for the share. What a plane, what a pilot. A little barrel with wings. Amazing aero, really.
I am 34 now in 2024. When I was 9 years old at the Arlington air show in Washington state in 1999 I was standing there looking at the geebee and Delmar approached me and asked if I wanted to see inside of it. I said yes and he walked me under the rope and as I looked around inside he offered to let me sit in it and helped me inside. Delmar gave me one of the coolest memories as a kid and obviously I thought it was very neat then but I appreciate it a lot now. I am now a private pilot of a pitts special and an old
Luscombe. And now greatly appreciate the skill to build and fly this airplane. Still have my vhs copy of this signed by Delmar and Steve wolff.
I remember going over to Hobby Field back when Steve was building this plane. Also remember Steve flying it over my shop. You could hear him coming and would have to go outside and watch. Amazing.
I feel so privileged to have seen this plane rip up the sky in Chino, CA. Delmar flew that thing with such a relaxed hand while passing us with a low, fast roll then a climbing outside knife edge turn. Jaw dropping stuff.
my left ear thoroughly enjoyed this
Incredible airplane and even more incredible pilot
Steve Wolf was one of our A&P students at Portland Community College, I Was his sheet Metal instructor. He was a very sharp student and quick learner. Before he was a student , he flew an Aeronca Champ , doing aerobatics at Wally Olsen's Evergreen airport in Vancouver Washington ....
He also did the wings for the Howard Hughs' Replica in Cottage Grove, Oregon.
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.
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' ;)
Thank you RUclips, I never saw one of these until now. I had always seen the RC models people would build and fly back in the '80's.
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 !
It's at Kermit Weeks Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Fla.
Why is the museum closed? Momentary?
Tyler H weeks passed
stefan w kermit weeks is still alive.......
@@MrLunchHour2 passed gas....not away...silly!
stefan w lol
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.
Those eighties girls are looking so sweet - man I miss those days
Ya
That´s pretty thrilling! Taking off and landing. Flying inverted was the crown of the flight :)
100 mph stall...that'll scare a lot of bush pilots
A famous plane. One of the big legends of Aviaton.
amazing pilot, amazing mullet...'nuff said!
Bingus258 haha I was going to say the same thing
Clearly the mullet was in control
Like always
I’m growing a mullet starting tomorrow so I can fly like that!
Dope ass sweater too.
So cool. It's sometimes hard to put historical engineering in its proper light. This does it!
I remember seeing a Geebee fly inverted flying down a runway during an airshow in the 1980s. What an amazing airplane!!!
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.
Thanks for posting this, I know its your favorite plane.
Delmar was rocking a hell of a mullet back then.
100% right
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.
I've read that this plane was a beast to fly and killed a lot of pilots. It was made back in the 1930's for speed record attempts.
No words.
Used to admire the Gee Bee parked at OSH. Flying that is an accomplishment.
Thanks for sharing, Hannes! GREAT!
You are welcome buddy
Chubby boi-that's an iconic plane with one badass pilot.
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
AWESOME !!
Delmar piloting skills are amazing
Incredible.
when I see this Aircraft, Flying by the seat of your pants comes to mind.
There are a lot of amazing airplanes out there.This one is at the top of that field. Truely a beautiful plane.
😎🇺🇸
What a great pilot, sould be a professional test pilot..
A man with a mullet can do anything......
It must be difficult to walk with such big balls.
HAHHAHAH i agree
EPIC mullet
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...
To the young lady in the leather jacket @4:05, "Hey, what are you doing after this?"
That was awesome!
The legend!!!❤
This i one cool pilot who faced the Elephant, and came away with respect and confirmation of his skill.
Scary airplane. He makes it look easy!
When he flew it in Germany I believe he said that it is quite easy to fly, but it takes some time to learn to fly it - guess he is right!
what was that about not exceeding 30 degrees of bank ? heck lets go inverted !
It's much more stable inverted than upright
@@gabekremer7148 Thank you for the update.interesting. how that works out that way.
Its from the low of center mounting position and dihedral wing. When u flip it, it goes Anhedral and high, which is more stable.
So, is this video about the Gee Bee's maiden flight or the Playboy magazine lifestyle behind the Cult of Delmar Benjamin and the Most Dangerous Mullet west of Montana?
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...
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.
i have a umx flying model of this ive flown once-so many planes so little time
I've got that model too. Destroyed one, am on my second one now and it's finally working for me ... lol
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 😂
I also saw the GeeBee fly at KAWO, but I have to tell you that this is NOT an airplane..... it is an engine with trim tabs attached !!
i didnt know there is a pilot door on the side, figured the canopy raised and need a ladder
His mullet added some much-needed stability to the plane.
Amazing.
Does anyone have any idea where this plane is now? Is it in a museum somewhere or is it in a hangar somewhere?
The plane is on display at Kermit Weeks "Fantasy of Flight Museum" near Orlando/Florida, the biggest Gee Bee collection on the planet
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 didn’t realize they hand propped it but I guess it makes sense
Jimmy Doolittle was still alive he died in 1993 I believe he did see a video, or actually saw it fly before he passed away.
Was this aircraft used in the No Rocket Man film?
Now THAT is a cool dude
such a beautiful instable plane on low speed but in speed perfect
What kind of airplanes Delmar was flying before he'll fly the Gee Bee?
He flew lots of aerobatics planes like Pitts Specials and Buecker Jungmeister, too.
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?
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.
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.
5:08 HOW?? Can you taxi in that plane?? You can't see anything but the sky...
HIGHLY IMPRESSED, THANKS!!!!
I wonder if Lindburgh ever flew the original sample?
Impressive landing.
Is this video available with no music or laughing? I'd really like to see this again with only the sweet sound of the airplane, prop, and motor!
They were vicious little Bruts, that Only the Best Pilots Could Fly !
I would want some Nomex and a helmet.
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
I don’t know who has bigger balls, the guy whom hand propped it, or the guy who flew it!
Sure would have been nice to ditch the music at the beginning. Wanted to hear the engine instead!
how does it spin ? ..... HA,.... glide ratio ?
My grandfather built the gee bee.
Can't even omagine the torque on that thing
Dancin on the rudder
Good job....
Semi-hysterical laughing, just like model fliers after a successful maiden. Delmar is one cool dude.
This seems like the real world equivalent of the Earthworm Jims' Rocket. Strap in, hang on...
Very-Very nice - That's Aviation
Boy he was kicken the shit outa that rudder on take off! "CAn'tbank it over 30", proceeds to roll it.
I wanted to hear engine sound and what do I get? Music. Nuts.
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.
Righteous mullet
No shaking wings he goes directly down...No wonder it was called widow maker..
That's an highly skilled pilot. How about an updated version with contra-prop and retracting undercarriage?
That looks a bastard to land.
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.
Don't exceed 30 degree bank, proceeds to go inverted. LOL
Interesting .
love that mullet....he is not a follower...but a doer????
Not even a walkie-talkie between planes? That seems to be way too reckless
When we did a LOT of trade with Japan.......what happened with that?