The Doodlebug was produced too late to compete, but was granted an exemption. The aircraft's tail folded upward in initial demonstrations at
Mitchel Field in New York, and allowed more extensions to repair damages. After a forced landing due to engine failure, the Doodlebug missed the opportunity to be judged in the competition. The winner of the competition was a
Curtiss Tanager. The forced landing caused McDonnell a back injury, but he still drove the aircraft to demonstrate in various air shows throughout the start of the
Great Depression. In 1931 the Doodlebug was sold to the
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) as a demonstrator for leading edge slats. ==Specifications (McDonnell Doodlebug) ==