1931 Curtiss Wright Travel Air B-14-R "Speedwing"

The one-of-a-kind "Speedwing" — a fire-breathing racing biplane built for Casey Lambert with a Pratt & Whitney R985.

The Speedwing: A One-of-a-Kind Racer

The Curtiss Wright Travel Air B-14-R "Speedwing" is a one-of-a-kind piece of aviation history. The aircraft embodies the spirit of racing, adventure, and innovation that defined the era. With its powerful Wright Aeronautical R-975-E2 engine generating 400 horsepower, streamlined design, and aggressive stance, the Speedwing was built for the thrill of air racing.

This plane’s story begins in 1931, when Casey Lambert, a wealthy aviation enthusiast from St. Louis, commissioned a custom-built racer. Lambert, whose adventurous life included dating Hollywood icons like Elizabeth Taylor, serving as a test pilot, and even having an airport named after his family (Lambert Field, St. Louis), was captivated by the era’s booming air racing scene. The Speedwing was the only B-14-R ever built, purposefully designed to dominate the skies.

The Curtiss Wright Corporation, which had absorbed Travel Air, was producing sport and military aircraft, but the B-14-R stood apart. While two other B-14 models were built with smaller engines for sport flying, Lambert’s Speedwing was the ultimate racing machine—a sleek, fire-breathing biplane that could rival military aircraft of its time. He raced the Speedwing (N 12311) extensively, logging nearly 600 hours of flight time before selling it back to Curtiss Wright in 1937—only to buy it again just six months later. After Lambert, the plane passed through multiple owners, each adding their own chapter to its remarkable history.

Like many aircraft from the Golden Age, the Speedwing’s fate was uncertain. After years of active flying, it suffered damage during a windstorm in California and was grounded for decades. Then began its incredible restoration journey:

✦ In 1992, aviation enthusiast Bernard Mueck acquired the aircraft and began a painstaking restoration, aided by legendary antique aircraft experts, including Bob Lock.

✦ Over the next two decades, the aircraft was rebuilt, with contributions from Dick Hansen, Thomas Louden, and Ron Rippon, culminating in its return to flight in 2018 by Steve Thomas at Poplar Grove Airport, Illinois.

✦ During the restoration, the aircraft’s engine was overhauled, new avionics were installed, and its historic design was meticulously preserved, ensuring it remained true to its original 1931 racing roots.

This aircraft is a rare survivor but also a stunning work of art and engineering. Its bold yellow and black livery, muscular frame, and high-performance Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine ensure that it remains one of the most awe-inspiring aircraft in the collection.

With its arrival at Mustang Field, the Curtiss Wright Travel Air B-14-R "Speedwing" will continue to inspire, reminding us of an era when pilots like Casey Lambert pushed the limits of speed, skill, and ambition.

For more information including photographs, restoration information, history, and how we came to acquire the plane go to www.DreamWacos.com

The Lambert Speedwing