The Wee Bee

[pampers1919]

Im building this 

[winterka100]

The reason it was called the wee-bee is that every pilot who flew it weed themselves.

[verbusen]

I died flying one of those things, my ghost is haunting youtube now.

[CoonBabble]

this never caught on, but i think gyro copters filled the spot quite nicely

[SuperAviatar]

After watching this, I have decided that I am no longer a bold pilot - so will concentrate on getting older! One thought- how the deuce do you maintain a good lookout without twisting the head off? Map reading might be a bit of a chore....

[Aquarussell]

Wasn't it destroyed when the San Diego Aerospace Museum was burned down by an arsonist in the 1970's or 80's? I hope not.

[sablatnic]

It was destroyed. All you will see now is a replica.

[leviterande]

looks more than dangerous

[capiluis]

what a uncomfortable position!!

[kode1303]

I'd say it takes some guts to fly that one.

[fjbutch]

every kid should have one

[darrindwp]

Wow, there are RC models bigger than that these days.

[Taratacsin]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA  AWESOME

[minimoose001]

coolest plane thing ever!!!!!!!!!!!

[tomterahedrob]

THANKS!!

[florret2003]

I have a video taken last week at our R/C field of a one-third scale model built and flown by the brother of the pilot flying in the next to last picture which was taken over Montgomery Field. i'll upload it soon.

[Tarzanaxx]

This news reel was shot in the fall of 1948. Life magazine was also on the scene, took pictures and did a full page spread in the December 20, 1948 issue. Re engined with about 30 Horsepower-second news reel clip-it flew without restrictions many more times. Building and flying the tiny craft was a project for enjoyment not a commercial venture.

[scubajim123]

I'm so pleased to see this film. My father is the tall skinny guy in the white coveralls and that may be my mom too.

these guys built the Wee Bee just to see if it could be done. Glad to see it is still remembered.

thanks for posting this film

[Tarzanaxx]

Great film, I supposed it had been lost forever. Fascinated by the WeeBee, I made a simulator model in 2007 and just uploaded a video of it flying over San Diego. Fun.

[Shazzasaloon91]

That pilot looks very uncomfortable!

[manitowaning]

Rather him than me, tho! LOL!

[denberg2]

Keep 'em coming, Bomberguy!

[twinten]

I can remember when these clips were shown at movies, before TV. We knew they were death traps as no real glide is possible on engine failure. Significantly, they were never duplicated or even flown much after this. They just died quietly.

[peepeevagi]

It may not be the smallest aircraft now, but damn it's small.

[fordroad]

What a great little machine.