It was one of three early projects by aircraft designer Jimmy Wedell to create a racer and was built specifically to compete in the 1930 All-American Flying Derby from Buffalo to Detroit.

It was a braced, low-wing monoplane originally powered by an inline Cirrus engine and equipped with fixed landing gear in large spats.

A replica Model 22 is on display at the Wedell-Williams Aviation & Cypress Sawmill Museum, Patterson, Louisiana.

Experienced air-racer Wedell formed a business partnership in 1929 with millionaire Harry P. Williams after giving him flying lessons.

Initial plans were to teach flying, provide an aerial photography service and win an airmail contract.

Wedell's passion for air-racing led him to convince Williams to build a racer for the January, 1930 Miami Air Races.

This first aircraft was named "We-Will" but as development and testing continued it became apparent it would not be ready for the 1930 Miami event.

[3] The hazardous nature of the journey and level of technology at the time challenged the participants and their machines to the utmost.

Aerodynamic wheel "pants" and "spats" made its first appearance on a Wedell-Williams design, a feature that would be an icon of its larger, more successful cousins.

The frame was placed in storage at the Western Airways hangar in Los Angeles until 1934 when Dave Elmendorf purchased it.