WILLIAMS "STINGER" - Plane + Pilot

WILLIAMS “STINGER”

Plane & Pilot

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By: Omar Filipović

Key Takeaways:

The Stinger is a single-seat Formula I racing monoplane, an original design by Art Williams, constructed with all-wood wings and a lightweight alloy monocoque fuselage.
It achieved notable racing success, including a second-place finish at the 1973 Reno Air Races where it recorded a best single-lap speed of 234.7 mph.
This unique, custom-built aircraft was later owned and raced for two decades by former astronaut Deke Slayton, with no plans or drawings available for the public.

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This single-seat Formula I racing monoplane was designed by Art Williams. The wings are an all-wood structure with laminated spruce spars. The fuselage is built from lightweight alloy and employs a monocoque structure. Flown by John Paul Jones, it captured second place at the 1973 Reno Air Races. In the same year it recorded the best single-lap speed of 234.7 mph. The craft was then sold to the late former astronaut Deke Slayton who continued racing Stinger for the next 20 years. Stinger, like its related ships Falcon and Sundancer, is a one-of-a-kind custom racing plane. Arthur Williams offers no plans or drawings for sale to the homebuilding public.