Its short air racing history was interrupted by the 1932 death of its designer Claire Vance[4] who struck a fog-covered mountain at Rocky Ridge.

Fourteen fuel tanks totaling 1,200 U.S. gallons (4,500 L; 1,000 imp gal) were interconnected inside the cantilevered mid-wing.

A forced air induction system was built into the wing roots with exhausts mounted near the trailing edges.

[10] Later the aircraft was returned to tandem configuration, a radio compass was installed, it was re-painted red and white and christened "The Texas Sky Ranger".

[11] Mason backed out by not meeting a commitment, but the flight was planned to continue independently with Pangborn with newspaper sponsorship.