Beck-Mahoney Sorceress ‘N89TT 89’ (51277821889)

c/n 01 Built in 1970 by Lee Mahoney and his father S.C.’Mickey’ Mahoney as a racing biplane powered by a 135hp Lycoming O-290. It was the first sport biplane to exceed 200mph on a closed course and ultimately reached 245mph. Already a successful racer, it was purchased by Don Beck in 1972 and he carried out minor modifications before achieving further racing successes. When it was retired in 1984 the Sorceress had become the world’s most successful racing biplane, although that title has since passed to Tom Albere’s ‘Phantom’. Don Beck donated the Sorceress to the Smithsonian Institute in 1984 and it is seen on display at the Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center as part of the National Air and Space Museum. Washington Dulles International Airport, Chantilly, Virginia