Jimmy Wedell

James "Jimmy" Robert Wedell
Jimmy Wedell, c. 1933
BornMarch 31, 1900
DiedJune 24, 1934
Occupation(s)Aircraft designer, Aircraft Racing
Known forDesigner of the Wedell-Williams series of air racers
Parent(s)Robert C. and Ida Wedell

James Robert Wedell (March 31, 1900 – June 24, 1934) was a famous 1930s racing pilot and aircraft designer. Wedell broke the world record for land-plane speed in 1933 when he clocked 305.33 m.p.h. in a Wedell-Williams aircraft of his own design. He won the Thompson Trophy air race in the same year. Wedell's company, the Wedell-Williams Air Service Corporation, won 14 "distinguished finishes" (top five) in the Thompson and Bendix Trophy races.