The 1932 National Air Races were again held in Cleveland Ohio August 27 to September 5. Many new raceplanes were entered this year to dramatically raise the interest level and attract more visitors. The Bendix race from Burbank CA to Cleveland would feature four new aircraft with identical  engines and well qualified pilots. There would also be six other cross-country races on the on the program. Twenty one closed-course races including the Thompson Trophy Race for men and the Aerol Trophy Race for Women. Two speed dashes were again included on the program.

The line-up for the Bendix would feature three Wedell-Williams's model 44's and a Granville Brother's Gee-Bee Super-Sportster model R-2.

Hazilip wins Bendix in 8:19 hours Jimmy being congratulated by Amelia Earhart

Bendix Trophy Race

A host of new aircraft were introduced this year in the closed-course events. Benny Howard was back with two almost identical, Menasco powered racers.

Bob Hall chief engineer and designer for the Granville brothers, who designed the Gee Bee model "Z", winner of the 1931 Thompson Trophy designed the "Bulldog" for the Thompson and the "Cicada" for the Bendix. Both planes were plagued with engine problems. Bob flew the "Bulldog to disappointing 6th in the Thompson. The "Cicada" did not start the Bendix. Sometime after the Thompson the engine and prop were removed and returned to the manufacturer's. The "Cicada" crashed and burned.

Other new racers to appear this year

Program

Parachute jumping demonstrations and pin-point landing contests were big crowd pleasers. While the idea was to land in a prescribed circle in front of the grandstands, it was not uncommon for some to land in the grandstands or in the parking lot. 

Shell 3-Kilometer Speed Dash

Thompson Trophy Race

The success of the Granville Brothers Model "Z", winning the 1931 Thompson encouraged them to build  two new racers for 1932. One for the Thompson (R-1) and one for the Bendix (R-2). While they were basically  the same design, the R-1 had a larger engine and a smaller gas tank than the R-2.  Both the R-1 and the R-2 were very difficult to fly. When Jimmy Doolittle's Laird was damaged due to a landing gear failure and Russell Boardman (original pilot for R-1) was injured in a crash, Doolittle became the pilot. The R-1 required great skill to fly, but Jimmy Doolittle was up to the task. The Gee-Bee took an early lead and went on to win.

Gee-Bee R-1

Aerol Trophy

Aerol Trophy Race

The ladies entered in the Aerol Trophy Race showed great courage and skill as they took off into and approaching thunderstorm. A severe storm hit the Cleveland Airport while they were flying the third lap. Despite the storm they continued flying until race officials brought them down. Winners were declared in the positions they held when the race was called off. Gladys O'Donnell had never flown, or even taxied, the Howard "Mike" before the race.

                                               

Gladys O'Donnell