Wedell-Williams Racer -Shell

This is a die-cast replica from Shell's Historical Air Racing Serires featuring planes flown by Wedell-Williams Racers.

The 1920's to mid-1930's was known as "The Golden Age of Air Racing". During the Great Depression era, aircraft builders were enticed to produce race planes. Money was tight and with thousands of dollars of prize money available, pure speed was what won races.

One of the most successful Wedell-Williams racing pilots was Jim Haizlip, a World War I hero and native of Little Rock, Arkansas. Haizlip spent most of his life in Ferguson, Missouri where he worked as an assistant manager in the aviation depearment for Shell Petroleum Company.

Jim Haizlip's wife, Mary, was also an accomplished pilot and racer. Jim flew "92" in the men's events and Mary competed in the women's events. In 1932, Mary won the women's Shell Speed Dash and Jim finished fourth in the men's race. Mary also set the new women's speed record at 255 miles per hour and was the first to use 100 octane fuel.