Artur
thats cool! please post flight info when finished
your braver than me--have always wanted to do R-1 or 2 . the numbers are good--just to fat for much prop to be exposed(not a big problem except in stunt?)
from memory-mostly correct if not 100%
the airplane known as the R1 1/2(R-6h #77) was a rebuild of the big engine R-1(#11)for thompson and the smaller engined R-2(#7) for bendix combined into one airframe.
there was no razorback--the R-1 originaly was designed with out a fin.it was flown like this on its first(test/ferry) flight from where it was built to where it was hangerd for testing.test pilot(dont remember his name-Boardman?)said good flying airplane--needs more fin area.
that night a fin was built and rudder extended for test flights the next day.
Henry Haffkees book sets all myths straight with the facts(people who were there-crew ect)
good flying airplanes--unlike Dolittle claimed in late life---originaly praised the airplane.(last chance to be a heman)
Delmar Benjimans book on building and flying his R-2(pilots report)is interesting as well
R-2 was lost on landing for refueling durring x-country(Bendix) race.(slid off end of short grass strip and turned over in ditch)
R-1 was lost few min later when taking off-pilot pissed at r-2 pilot horesed it off ground and stalled it killing him
R-6h lost durring testing- slid off end of short grass runway and turned over in ditch
the granvilles were now broke
most runways of the day were not sutible for these airplanes--brakes werent either this was one of benjamans few problems
sorry dont remember pilots names---Russel Boardman(R-1)? ,Ken Miles(R-2 R-6h )?,Lowelle Bayles model Z? Robert Hall model Y?there were more models and pilots
David