The Sorceress was one of the five types of racing biplanes. Designed by Douglas Aircraft Company engineers, this all-aluminum, staggerwing aircraft was built in 1969 by Lee and Seldon Mahoney, a father and son team.
Donald Beck, one of the world's top racing pilots, modified and flew the aircraft. His improvements to the design resulted in several world speed records and many prizes. The Sorceress was the first biplane to exceed 322 km/h (200 mph) on a race pylon course. It was last raced at Reno, Nevada in 1983, placing second. Beck donated it to the museum in 1984. (Smithsonian caption)