J. Doolittle Laird LC-DW500 Super Solution

Additional Information:

The Laird LC-DW500 Super Solution aka “Sky Buzzard” was a racing biplane built in the early 1930s by Matty Laird and the E. M. Laird Airplane Company for the Cleveland Speed Foundation. It had a large radial engine and an extremely faired windshield to reduce drag. Other than being a biplane, the Super Solution was similar in appearance to the Gee Bee, a more famous racer from that period. It was an advanced design for the time because of the relatively clean aerodynamic construction and tight engine cowling.

James Harold Doolittle (December 14, 1896 – September 27, 1993) was an American military general and aviation pioneer who received the Medal of Honor for his daring raid on Japan during World War II. He also made many early coast-to-coast and record-breaking speed flights. Doolittle won many flying races early in his aviation career and helped develop and improve instrument flying.

The Super Solution was the first winner of the 1931 Bendix Trophy race from Burbank California to Cleveland Ohio where it was flown by Maj. James (Jimmy) H. Doolittle. During the race, Doolittle landed and refueled at the Albuquerque Airport at Oxnard Field. Doolittle eventually won the race with a time of 9 hours and 10 minutes on September 2, 1931. The aircraft number was NR-10538.

Jimmy Doolittle flew his Laird “Number 400”in the 1931 Thompson race but was forced to land in the 7th lap because of engine trouble.

Jimmy Doolittle is refueling his Laird in one of his stops in a Bendix across country race.

The Laird Super Solution being refueled on Oxnard Field in Albuquerque. One of the Laird’s flying replicas at the Kermit Weeks Fantasy of Flight museum in Florida.

GALLERY: