The Robert E Barnstead Photo Collection

Part of The Hall Bulldog Project — documenting Bob Hall's 1932 Thompson Trophy racer.

In 2024, Steve Rush reached out with a remarkable gift: a collection of period photographs taken by his grandfather, Robert E Barnstead, at the 1932 National Air Races in Cleveland, Ohio. These images, preserved by the Barnstead family for over 90 years, provide fresh perspectives on some of aviation’s most iconic racing aircraft.

The Hall Bulldog Photos

The collection includes four photographs of the Hall Bulldog, Bob Hall’s sleek monoplane racer. These images capture the aircraft and its creator during the hectic days of the Cleveland Air Races.

Hall Bulldog front view with crew working on engine — Ground crew working on the Hall Bulldog’s Pratt & Whitney Wasp Jr engine at Cleveland

Hall Bulldog left front view with ground crew pushing — Ground crew pushing the Hall Bulldog at Cleveland, race number 69 visible on the fuselage

Bob Hall seated in Hall Bulldog cockpit — Bob Hall seated in the Hall Bulldog cockpit, preparing for a race

Bob Hall standing in Hall Bulldog cockpit with parachute — Bob Hall standing in the cockpit wearing his parachute, possibly before or after a race

These photos have been added to the Hall Bulldog Photo Timeline alongside other period images documenting the aircraft’s 1932 racing season.

Bonus: Gee Bee Racing Aircraft

In addition to the Hall Bulldog photos, the Barnstead collection includes ten photographs of Granville Brothers Gee Bee aircraft—the legendary racing planes that dominated the 1932 air racing season.

Gee Bee Model Z

The Gee Bee Model Z was the precursor to the more famous R-1 and R-2 Super Sportsters. Several Model Z aircraft competed at the 1932 Cleveland races.

Gee Bee Model Z rear quarter view — Gee Bee Model Z showing race number 4 on the tail

Gee Bee Model Z right side view — Gee Bee Model Z parked on the Cleveland airfield

Pilot in Gee Bee Model Z cockpit — A pilot seated in the Gee Bee Model Z cockpit

Gee Bee Sportster

The Gee Bee Sportster was a more practical design than the extreme racing variants, though still quite fast.

Gee Bee Sportster distant view — Gee Bee Sportster on the field with spectators in the distance

Gee Bee R-2 and R-1

The Gee Bee R-1 and R-2 Super Sportsters were the ultimate expression of the Granville Brothers’ radical design philosophy. Jimmy Doolittle famously won the 1932 Thompson Trophy in the R-1 at an average speed of 252.686 mph.

Gee Bee R-2 in hangar — Gee Bee R-2 (NR2100) being inspected in the hangar

Jimmy Doolittle with Gee Bee R-1 — Jimmy Doolittle with the Gee Bee R-1 at Cleveland

Cleveland Flight Line

These photos capture the busy atmosphere at the Cleveland Air Races, with multiple aircraft visible on the flight line.

Cleveland flight line with Gee Bee and service vehicle — Gee Bee Model Z on the flight line with a service vehicle

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Steve Rush for sharing his grandfather’s photographs with the Hall Bulldog project, and to the Barnstead family for preserving these irreplaceable images of Golden Age aviation for over 90 years.

All photographs courtesy of the family of Robert E Barnstead.