The Cessna CR-2 was a mid-winged
racing aircraft
Air racing is a type of motorsport that involves airplanes or other types of aircraft that compete over a fixed course, with the winner either returning the shortest time, the one to complete it with the most points, or to come closest to a previ ...
in the CR series of Cessna racers.
Design and development
The
Cessna CR-1
The Cessna CR-1 was a short-lived air racer that was part of the CR series of Cessna racers.
Design and development
The Cessna CR-1 was built using $1200 in winnings from the Cessna GC-1.
The aircraft was a mid-wing open cockpit taildragger us ...
proved to be too difficult to handle, requiring a redesign of the aircraft. The new plane had an additional 2 foot of wing, and 2 foot of fuselage length.
The aircraft was a mid-wing open cockpit taildragger using a fabric covered wooden wing structure. The landing gear was manually retractable into the fuselage.
In 1932 the aircraft was rebuilt with thinner wings, retractable landing gear, and a 499 cubic inch Warner engine.
Operational history
The CR-2 was test-flown by Roy Ligget in May 1930. The aircraft took the name "Miss Wanda".
*1930 Omaha Air Races - The CR-2 placed fourth in the under 500c.i. class, and fifth in the unlimited class. Nearly losing the CR-2, the pilot, John Livingston, ordered an updated version, the
Cessna CR-3
The Cessna CR-3 was a follow on racing aircraft to the Cessna CR-2 that raced in the 1932 National Air Races.
Development
The CR-3 was ordered by air racer Johnny Livingston in response to the performance he saw when competing against the Cessna ...
.
*1930
National Air Races
The National Air Races (also known as Pulitzer Trophy Races) are a series of pylon and cross-country races that have taken place in the United States since 1920. The science of aviation, and the speed and reliability of aircraft and engines grew ...
Pilots Bill Ong placed second in the 650c.i. category, third in the 800c.i. category, and second in the 450c.i. category. Pilot
Mae Haizlip placed second in the Women's Free For All.
*1932
National Air Races
The National Air Races (also known as Pulitzer Trophy Races) are a series of pylon and cross-country races that have taken place in the United States since 1920. The science of aviation, and the speed and reliability of aircraft and engines grew ...
Roy Ligget placed second in the 510c.i. race, third in the 800c.i. race and third in the Cleveland Cincinnati race.
*1933 Miami Races - won the Col. Green cup in the 500c.i. race
*1933 Chicago American Air Races - Roy Ligget placed second to the newer
Cessna CR-3
The Cessna CR-3 was a follow on racing aircraft to the Cessna CR-2 that raced in the 1932 National Air Races.
Development
The CR-3 was ordered by air racer Johnny Livingston in response to the performance he saw when competing against the Cessna ...
.
*1933 Aero Digest Trophy Race - Second place again to the CR-3
*1933 Chicago International Air Races - Pilot R.O. Herman flew with a modified cowling.
*1933 Shell Speed Dash - Pilot Ligget suffered a cowling failure that struck the wing and caused a somersaulting crash.
Specifications (Cessna CR-2)
See also
References
{{Cessna
Racing aircraft
CR-02
Single-engined tractor aircraft
Mid-wing aircraft
1930s United States sport aircraft
Aircraft first flown in 1930
Retractable conventional landing gear