Microsoft Flight Simulator Releases Famous Flyer #2, the Granville Brothers Gee Bee Model Z and Model R-2

Thompson Trophy-winning racing aircrafts from the Golden Age of Air Racing now on sale in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

The Microsoft Flight SimulatorThe team is thrilled to announce the latest addition in the Famous Flyers Series of aircraft: the Gee Bee Model Z/Model R-2 Super Sportster. These monoplanes are single-engine and single-seat racers built and designed by Granville Brothers Aircraft, USA. The company (“Gee Bee” is a phonetic representation of the initials GB) produced a few different iterations of the design, notably the Model Z and the Model R-2. Due to their unique appearance and blisteringly fast performances, each model is considered a historical great of the Golden Age of Flight. 

Urged on by early successes with their “Sportster” race aircraft of the late 1920s, the Granville Brothers created their first Super Sportster, the Model Z, to race at the Thompson Trophy pylon race at the National Air Races at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1931. Five brothers created the Model Z to get every drop of speed possible from their aircraft design. They also used a wind tunnel for the first time. The result was a racing legend with a burly fuselage, straight main wing, traditional tail unit, and a cockpit located just forward of the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer, perhaps the Super Sportster’s most notable characteristic. The Model Z was powered by a Wasp Junior 9-cylinder radial engine. It won the 1931 Thompson Trophy first prize. This inspired Granville Brothers to make even more super sportsters.

Model R-2 was designed to be used in the 1932 National Air Races. It is almost identical to the Model Z. The only difference between the R-2 and the Z is the slightly larger fuselage and wings. The R-2 finished fifth and sixth in the Thompson Trophy Race’s cross-country Bendix Trophy Race in 1932.

The Microsoft Flight SimulatorCarenado has carefully recreated the Model Z, and R-2 to reflect the performance and visual appeal of these Famous Flyers. You can purchase them as a $14.99 bundle on PC or Xbox, exclusive to the in-sim market. Get yours now to experience an unparalleled aerial speed experience!

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