Robert Leicester Hall

Robert L. Hall (1906–1991) was an American air racing pilot and aircraft designer.

Career

Robert Leicester Hall was born in Taunton, Massachusetts 1905. After graduating in 1927 from the University of Michigan, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he joined the Granville Brothers Aircraft, where he was the chief engineer. He designed the Gee Bee Model Z racer, the "City of Springfield," which swept the competition in every contest in the National Air Races of 1931. On September 5, Hall flew the Gee Bee Z to victory in the General Tire and Rubber Trophy race. Lowell Bayles flew the aircraft the next day to victory in the free-for-all event.

The Springfield Aircraft Co.

Hall left the Granville Brothers in 1927 to form The Springfield Aircraft Co and moved operations to the Bowles Agawam Airport. There he designed the Bulldog racing aircraft, which he went on to race at the 1932 National Air Races, finished sixth at a speed of 215.5 mph. Afterwards there was speculation that its experimental Hamilton Standard propeller prevented the Wasp engine from running at full power. Hall was so disappointed with its performance that he dismantled and scrapped the plane after that race. He also designed the Cicada racer, which was scheduled to race at the 1932 National Air Races by owner Frank Lynch but did not start the race due to engine problems.

The Grumman years

Legacy

The Hall Bulldog Project is a project attempting to recreate the V-2 Bulldog.

His son Eric Hall is co-founder of Hall Spars, which manufacturers sailboat rigging.