"Wedell" polo shirt

The Wedell-Williams Model 44, often simply known as the “Wedell”, was one of the most iconic racing aircraft of America’s Golden Age of Air Racing. Designed by pilot and engineer Jimmy Wedell, it first flew in 1930 and quickly became one of the fastest and most successful racers of its era.  

Unlike the compact Gee Bees, the Model 44 featured a sleek, streamlined low-wing design powered by a powerful Pratt & Whitney radial engine. Its aerodynamic shape provided exceptional speed while maintaining impressive stability.  

The Wedell-Williams became a dominant force in the major air races of the 1930s. After several strong finishes, Jimmy Wedell won the prestigious Thompson Trophy in 1933 and became the first pilot to exceed 300 mph (483 km/h) in a landplane.  

Flown by legendary pilots such as Jimmy Wedell, Roscoe Turner, James Haizlip, and Doug Davis, the Model 44 accumulated victories, records, and trophies, establishing itself as one of the most successful racing aircraft ever built.