• Red and brown-colored monoplane model with one engine.
    Download Image

    A Travel Air Model R, piloted by Doug Davis, won the 50-mile free-for-all speed contest at the National Air Races in 1929. Despite having to re-circle a missed pylon, he still beat the Army and Navy's fastest pursuit aircraft. Walter Beech, president of Travel Air, did not allow press access to the aircraft while it was being built or at the races. The Model R was, therefore, dubbed the "Mystery Ship" by the press. This model was donated by Thompson Products, which sponsored the race.

  • Red and brown-colored monoplane model with one engine.

Photographer:

Eric Long

ID#:

NASM2011-00638

Source:

National Air and Space Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Copyright:

Smithsonian Institution

Rights Usage:

Contact Smithsonian Institution

Terms of Use:

Smithsonian Terms of Use

For print or commercial use please see permissions information.

Related Content

Model, Static, Travel Air Model R

Object