The Story of Robert H. Starr
The Story of Robert H. Starr
40 years of designing, building, testing and flying the World’s Smallest Piloted Airplanes
Wikipedia
Robert H. Starr was the designer, builder and pilot of The World’s Smallest Piloted Biplane Airplane, the Starr Bumble Bee II. The Guinness Book of Records awarded The Bumble Bee II the official world record title in 1985 and with the flight of the Bumble Bee II. The record still stands today 2023.
Pima Air and Space Museum
The Bumble Bee was designed, built and flown for the sole purpose of taking the record for the world’s smallest aircraft. Robert H. Starr had been involved as pilot and designer in two previous record-holding world’s smallest aircraft dating back to 1949. He decided to go it alone on his last two record holding projects. The Bumble Bee I was donated to the Pima Air & Space Museum in 1990 and is on permanent display. The Bumble Bee II is the current record holder as of 2023 according to the Guinness Book.
Youtube Channel
Robert Starr was involved with both early small plane projects during the 1950’s. He was the only pilot of “JR” (1949) who was able to fly it successfully. Mr. Starr was the co-builder and pilot for Sky Baby in 1954. He gained considerable experience and knowledge on these early projects and knew that a smaller, aerodynamically superior plane could be built. However, he had difficulty being credited for his contributions on the JR and Skybaby projects by his then partner Stits. So, he decided to build his next project and establish a new world record on his own. The Bumble Bee I and Bumble Bee II are the result.
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