checks. The original undercarriage suffered collapse on several occasions and the Sorceress team were instructed to improve the undercarriage with stronger struts and larger wheels. The wing area of the original wings was deemed excessive and had to be reduced. The lower wing outboard of the interplane struts was removed and swash-plates fitted to the tips. Lee Mahoney took a lot of these criticisms, rule changes and comments personally, speaking about his experiences in an interview with 'Air Progress' magazine. Notwithstanding the negative early experiences, Sorceress retains her claim to being the most technologically advanced biplane of any sort ever constructed, and her racing history subsequent to the controversy has gone on to proved the faith and skill of her designer, backers, and pilots. Results and records Sorceress placed in the following Reno Air Races, racing as #89: 1970: Biplane Consolation, 7th place, , pilot: Lee Mahoney (crossed the finish line first, but automatically moved to last as it was racing as a fill-in). 1971: Biplane Gold, 2nd place, , pilot: Paul Deschamps 1972: Biplane Gold, 1st place, , pilot: Don Beck 1973: Biplane Gold, 2nd place, , pilot: Don Beck 1974: Biplane Gold, 2nd place, , pilot: Don Beck 1975: Biplane Gold, 1st place, , pilot: Don Beck 1976: Biplane Gold, 1st place, , pilot: Don Beck 1980: Biplane Gold, 8th place, , pilot: Don Beck (crossed finish first, disqualified for illegal passing) 1982: Biplane Gold, 3rd place, , pilot: Don Beck 1983: Biplane Gold, 2nd place, , pilot: Don Beck Sorceress set a number of speed records in the Sport Biplane Class, including: 190.48 mph, qualifying heat record, 1970 Reno Air Races 189.723 mph, championship race record, 1972 Reno Air Races 202.153 mph, championship race record, 1976 Reno Air Races Specifications References Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971–72. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd., 1971. . External links Beck-Mahoney Sorceress Specifications from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum official website Sorceress 1970s United States sport aircraft Sorceress Biplanes with negative stagger Single-engined tractor aircraft Homebuilt aircraft Individual aircraft in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution Aircraft first flown in 1970