Wedell-Williams Model 45

The Wedell-Williams Model 45 was a racing aircraft built in the United States in 1933.

Model 45
NR62Y, Miss Patterson.
Role Racing aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Wedell-Williams Air Service Corporation
Designer Jimmy Wedell
First flight 28 June 1933[1]
Introduction February 1934, New Orleans Shushan Airport[1]
Retired 1934 Thompson Trophy Race
Status Donated to Louisiana State University 1936. Fate unknown.
Primary user Wedell-Williams Air Service Corp.
Produced 1933–1934
Number built 1
Developed from Wedell-Williams Model 44
Developed into Wedell-Williams XP-34

Design and development

The Model 45 was a development of designer James Wedell's earlier Model 44 and was a low-wing cantilever monoplane with tailwheel undercarriage, the main units of which were retractable.[2]

Operational history

The Model 45 flew for the first time on June 28, 1933[2] and showed promising performance achieving an average speed of 264.703 mph on a 100 km closed course.

Wedell-Williams pilot, John Worthen flew the 45 to a second place in the 1934 Bendix Trophy race and if not for a navigation error would have demolished the 44's first place time by at least 50 minutes.[2][3]

On June 24, 1934, Jimmy Wedell died in an accident while piloting a Gypsy Moth on a flying lesson.[2] Development of the 45 was delayed following the loss of its creator. Even so, the 45 was entered in the 1934 Thompson Trophy Race. In a preliminary event, the Shell Speed Dash Unlimited, Worthen placed first with an average speed of 302.13 mph.[2][4] He then qualified the 45 with a speed of 292.14 mph, third behind the 44 and Turner's racer in the main event.[2] However the 45 was still suffering from development problems and was withdrawn due to instability.

During the Thompson race Doug Davis crashed the 44 and was killed instantly.[2] Devastated, the Wedell-Williams team dismantled and trucked the 45 to Patterson. It never flew again.[2]

In rapid succession, the remaining Wedell-Williams principals were killed in air crashes: Walter Wedell, Jimmy's brother, was killed in a crash on July 18, 1935.[2] Company co-founder Harry Palmerston Williams and chief test pilot, John Worthen were both killed on May 19, 1936 in a crash.[2]

After the death of Williams, the Model 45 was donated to Louisiana State University, where it eventually disappeared, its final fate unknown.[2]

A full-scale replica Model 45, constructed by Jim B. Clevenger of Kissimmee, Florida, is on display at the Louisiana State Museum in Patterson, Louisiana.[2]

Specifications (Model 45)

General characteristics

  • Crew: One pilot
  • Length: 23 ft 11 in (7.29 m)
  • Wingspan: 26 ft 9 in (8.16 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340 , 500 hp (597 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 320 mph (515 km/h, 278 kn)

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References
Notes
  1. Hirsch and Schultz 2001, p. 40.
  2. Pearce, William. "Wedell-Williams Model 45 Racer". oldmachinepress.com. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  3. Hirsch and Schultz 2001, p. 74.
  4. Schmid and Weaver 1983, p. 291.
Bibliography
  • Foxworth, Thomas G. The Speed Seekers. New York: Doubleday, 1976. ISBN 0-385-06050-5.
  • Hirsch, Robert S. and Barbara H. Schultz. Wedell-Williams Air Service. Lancaster, California: Little Buttes Publishing, 2001. ISBN 978-0-9652181-1-5.
  • Schmid, Sylvester H. and Truman C. Weaver. The Golden Age of Air Racing: 1927–1933. Oshkosh, Wisconsin: EAA Aviation Foundation, 1983. ISBN 978-0-8168-7816-1.
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