In real life the Gee Bee flew like a brick and killed everyone who got in them.
You would be wrong on both counts. They were fabulous racers, and Doolittle lived to fight WW II and died an old man.
Quote from Doolittle.
"She is the sweetest ship I've ever flown. She is perfect in every respect and the motor is just as good as it was a week ago. It never missed a beat and has lots of stuff in it yet. I think this proves that the Granville brothers up in Springfield build the very best speed ships in America today."