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The Chester Jeep aka the Chester Special #1 was an
The green and cream colored aircraft was intended to compete in the 1932 National Air Races, but was finished too late. It saw its first race in 1933.
*1933 National Air Races - 375 Cubic inch class - placed first once, and fourth four other times with a top speed of
*1933 Chicago - 375 Cubic inch class placed first four times, 1000 Cubic inch class placed second, 550 Cubic inch class placed third twice with a top speed of
*1934 Shell speed dash - top speed of .
*1934 National Air Races - Cleveland, Ohio 375 Cubic inch class - placed second four times, in the 550 Cubic inch class placed Third twice, and fourth and fifth once.
*1935 National Air Races - 375 Cubic inch class - placed first twice, in the 550 Cubic inch class placed third once and fourth once.
*1935 Miami Air Races - Placed first once, and second once.
*1936 National Air Races - First time racing under the name "Jeep". 375 Cubic inch class - placed second three times. Placed third in one 550 Cubic inch race.
*1938 Golden Gate International Exhibition race - placed last against aircraft with over 1000 hp in the field. Chester sells the Jeep to start on a new design, the "
air racer
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 prev ...
built by Art Chester for the 1932 National Air Races. The aircraft once held the world's speed record for aircraft at .
Design and development
The Chester Jeep was named after "Eugene the Jeep
Eugene the Jeep is a character in the '' Popeye'' comic strip. A mysterious animal with magical or supernatural abilities, the Jeep first appeared in the March 16, 1936 ''Thimble Theatre'' comic strip (now simply ''Popeye''). He was also prese ...
" from the Popeye
Popeye the Sailor Man is a fictional cartoon character created by E. C. Segar, Elzie Crisler Segar.P-51
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang is an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II and the Korean War, among other conflicts. The Mustang was designed in April 1940 by a team headed by James ...
fighter for North American Aviation
North American Aviation (NAA) was a major American aerospace manufacturer that designed and built several notable aircraft and spacecraft. Its products included: the T-6 Texan trainer, the P-51 Mustang fighter, the B-25 Mitchell bomber, the ...
.
The Jeep was a mid-wing
A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft configuration with a single mainplane, in contrast to a biplane or other types of multiplanes, which have multiple planes.
A monoplane has inherently the highest efficiency and lowest drag of any wing confi ...
taildragger
Conventional landing gear, or tailwheel-type landing gear, is an aircraft undercarriage consisting of two main wheels forward of the center of gravity and a small wheel or skid to support the tail.Crane, Dale: ''Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms ...
racer using a Menasco engine. The wings were supported with small strut
A strut is a structural component commonly found in engineering, aeronautics, architecture and anatomy. Struts generally work by resisting longitudinal compression, but they may also serve in tension.
Human anatomy
Part of the functionality o ...
s. The Jeep was modified with a new prop, spinner Technology
* Spinner (aeronautics), the aerodynamic cone at the hub of an aircraft propeller
*Spinner (cell culture), laboratory equipment for cultivating plant or mammalian cells
*Spinner (computing), a graphical widget in a GUI
*Spinner (MIT Media ...
and less sharp angles for the 1934 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 ...
. The aircraft's wings were removed and reinstalled for trailering to air events. In 1947 the aircraft was retrofitted ("butchered" by some) with an engine to meet the power requirement for the Goodyear races.
Operational history
The green and cream colored aircraft was intended to compete in the 1932 National Air Races, but was finished too late. It saw its first race in 1933.
*1933 National Air Races - 375 Cubic inch class - placed first once, and fourth four other times with a top speed of
*1933 Chicago - 375 Cubic inch class placed first four times, 1000 Cubic inch class placed second, 550 Cubic inch class placed third twice with a top speed of
*1934 Shell speed dash - top speed of .
*1934 National Air Races - Cleveland, Ohio 375 Cubic inch class - placed second four times, in the 550 Cubic inch class placed Third twice, and fourth and fifth once.
*1935 National Air Races - 375 Cubic inch class - placed first twice, in the 550 Cubic inch class placed third once and fourth once.
*1935 Miami Air Races - Placed first once, and second once.
*1936 National Air Races - First time racing under the name "Jeep". 375 Cubic inch class - placed second three times. Placed third in one 550 Cubic inch race.
*1938 Golden Gate International Exhibition race - placed last against aircraft with over 1000 hp in the field. Chester sells the Jeep to start on a new design, the "Goon
Goon may refer to:
Slang
* Humans:
** People noted for brutality, or otherwise as targets of contempt:
*** A guard in a prisoner of war camp (British World War II usage)
*** An enforcer (ice hockey)
*** A hired thug, in a goon squad
** Alterna ...
".
*1939 National Air Races - New owner Tom Stauch did not file correct paperwork to fly.
*1947 Goodyear Races re-engined for Formula One Air Racing
Formula One Air Racing is an American motorsport that involves small aircraft using engines up to in displacement. Racers can reach speeds over 200 mph.
History
Formula One air racing is sanctioned by the International Aeronautics Fed ...
. Piloted by Bill Falck.
*1948 Cleveland Air Races
In 1977 the aircraft was donated to the EAA Airventure Museum
The EAA Aviation Museum, formerly the EAA AirVenture Museum (or Air Adventure Museum), is a museum dedicated to the preservation and display of historic and experimental aircraft as well as antiques, classics, and warbirds. The museum is ...
in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Oshkosh is a city in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, of which it is the county seat. The city had a population of 66,816 in 2020, making it the ninth-largest city in Wisconsin. It is also adjacent to the Town of Oshkosh.
History
Oshkosh was ...
where it is now restored.
Specifications (Chester Jeep)
See also
References
{{Art Chester aircraft Racing aircraft Mid-wing aircraft Single-engined tractor aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1932