Burd S. and Harold L. White, of Des Moines, Indiana, designed and produced their own private and commercial aircraft, Humming Bird, in 1926. Priced at $2,150 it was reported about 25 were built, with most unregistered. N3046 and N3047 were found.

In 1924 Des Moines, J H Banning found WW1 ace Raymond Fisher to teach him to fly. Banning then bought his own Hummingbird biplane, naming it Miss Ames. Banning attended Iowa State College, and became the first black to receive a CAA pilot’s license, #1324. He bought the Hummingbird to use in the 1928 Iowa Goodwill Air Tour.

Hummingbird
Engine: Curtiss OX-5, 90hp
Wingspan: 33’2″
Length: 23’6″
Useful load: 1000 lb
Max speed: 93 mph
Cruise speed: 85 mph
Stall: 28 mph
Range: 375 mi
Seats: 3

In 1929, as White 25, with a 25hp Henderson De Luxe engine, was built by L J White, Pasadena CA. USA.

Not even the “De Luxe” addition helped very much. The aircraft would hardly fly.

Elmer L Smith bought it, increased the span of the upper wing, mounted the more powerful engine and flew it successfully as N10684.

After WW2 it was acquired by Hobart Sorrell in Rochester WA, who refitted a 65hp Continental, reregistered it as N4940V, and renamed it Peer Gynt. It was active at least into the 1970s.

White 25
Engine: 25hp Henderson De Luxe
Wingspan: 22’5″
Length: 15’6″
Seats: 1

Smith 1933 biplane
Engine: 45hp Salmson
Wingspan: 22’5″
Length: 15’6″
Speed: 95 mph
Seats: 1

Sorrell Peer Gynt
Engine: 65hp Continental
Wingspan: 22’5″
Length: 15’6″
Seats: 1