8-Year-Old Daredevil Wing-Walker Attempts World Record

by Brett Singer (Subscribe to Brett Singer's posts) Aug 20th 2009 5:00PM

Categories: Kids 8-11, Fun & Activities, In The News, Weird But True, Extreme Childhood, Amazing Kids

In a jaw-dropping show of bravery, 8-year-old Tiger Brewer took to the wing of his grandfather's biplane. Credit: BARM/Fame Pictures

Most 8-year-olds are lucky if they can hit a curve ball. But London's Tiger Brewer has hung out on the wing of a flying plane.

Tiger was very familiar with the stunt, since his grandfather, Vic Norman, owns a wing-walking team called SuperAeroBatics. Tiger did his walk -- 1,000 feet in the air, moving at 100 miles per hour -- on Grandpa's plane, according to the Daily Telegraph.

You know what they say: The family that defies death together, stays together.

Tiger is hoping to be the new record holder in the sport, as the youngest wing walker ever. He apparently knocked off the previous record holder, Guy Mason, son of Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason. Guy did his wing walk in 2001, at the tender age of 11. Guinness World Records will make the final, official determination on whether or not Tiger's bid to make history is a new record

Watch hair-raising video of Tiger doing the daring deed:

Some are saying that Tiger did not, in fact, break the record at all, because he didn't actually walk on the wing of a plane. Wikipedia defines wing walking as "the act of moving on the wings of an airplane during flight." As a YouTube commenter points out, Tiger "was harnessed into a special frame with his feet barely reaching the wing. He was in what was effectively a seat, except in the standing position."

That's still pretty daring for an 8-year-old, or a 48-year-old for that matter.

Was this really wing-walking? Credit: BARM/Fame Pictures

Regardless of whether the boy broke a record or not, he was able to overcome his fear. Tiger's father said that his son kept repeating the mantra "go away fear", and that seemed to work.

Interesting side note: Tiger has two sisters named Star and Flame. His father was born Colin, but changed his name to Happy Birthday. Sounds like a fun family.

Take a look at the video and tell us what you think.

Did Tiger break the wing-walking record?

Source

Comments (24)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

steffie 8-23-2009 @ 10:02PM

Brave boy!
I am very goose bumps!
Happy Birthday to you!

Chris 8-23-2009 @ 6:21AM

He just turned old enough to not sit in a booster seat in a car anymore! Why not just strap him to the hood or roof of a car? Oh yea, that would be considered child endangerment.

jorgebrito2 8-23-2009 @ 8:58AM

DANGEROUS! VERY DANGEROUS!

lynnewest45 8-23-2009 @ 9:53AM

Why would any parent put their child's life in danger. Maybe he didn't walk on the wing, but he was strapped down on it and going a 100mph. If we let our child ride in a automobile without their seatbelts, we would get a ticket. These parent's should be punished!

Jerome Smith 8-23-2009 @ 10:19AM

I didn't see him go from wing to wing and habng upside down between the wheels.If yo are going to walk the wings,walk.he was strapped in more as he was in an electric chair.nice ride tho.

the wing walkers of the twenties actually went from one plane to another.

Richard 8-23-2009 @ 11:02AM

No he did not....but his parents broke the record for stupidity

Bill 8-23-2009 @ 12:01PM

Couldn't agree more. Parents routinely put their kids in more danger each day than this young man was in for a few minutes. Two cars travelling 55 mph, meting each other on a two lane road equals a 110mph impact if one of the drivers screws up. Do it thousands of times and never think about it. Thousands die each year as a result. When is the last time you heard of an eight year old boy being killed or injured while wing walking. OH, and that crazy mom and dad. They made sure their child was safer on the wing of that plane than most parents do when buckling down in the back seat.

mike 8-23-2009 @ 12:14PM

Your dumb as dirt and I truly fear for you kids life or maybe you just dont give a dang.
I myself have 3 boys and thiers lots of ways to over come fears without puting your kids life in the role.

Marshall 8-23-2009 @ 12:25PM

I dont see how that stunt is possible to accomplish for an average
or above average 8 year old,unless the kid is a well trained and
fully experienced wing walker.

jan 8-23-2009 @ 12:42PM

Well thou he was on the plane he did not walk at all so I don't think he broke any record..i am a mom and I allow my daughter to be her self however,he is 8 and that kid of a stunt strapped in or not should ne done by some one who is experienced..I think the parents want the notariety them selves,perhaps the parents should try it before allowing their 8 y/o to attempt some thing that he should not be doing...

TJZL 8-23-2009 @ 12:55PM

The parents should be arrested and charged for endangering a child like that! What if the plane had struck a bird or other airborne object? What if there had been a fuel or oil leak? What if there had been a wind shear or any one of a thousand other conditions that make such a flight more hazardous, especially with a non-aerodynamic object mounted on the primary airfoil.

Ron 8-23-2009 @ 2:19PM

So what if he were in an automobile and involved in a collision. This happens more often than wind shear or or fuel leaks or any other thing involving flying. In fact aircraft are under stricter inspection regulations than automobiles As for being on a primary airfoil? It is a biplane, both wings provide lift. All the boy's body provided was a little additional drag, not enough to hamper the performance of the aircraft.

Hawg 8-23-2009 @ 1:13PM

He talked the talk but didn't walk the walk IMHO

Trey 8-23-2009 @ 2:24PM

They all need real names. Tiger is a somewhat normal name and Star is too, however, Star and Flame sound like stripper names.

Trey 8-23-2009 @ 1:23PM

Just think if the grandfather forgot he was up there and did a 180 degree turn or a full 360, oh boy, try explaining that one to the cops. HAHAHA

Ron 8-23-2009 @ 2:20PM

Nothing would have happened. The boy was STRAPPED into a harness.

trey 8-23-2009 @ 1:30PM

I doubt half of you people claiming to be parents and claim to be adults really are. Half of you guys have horrible grammar. Especially you Mervin, it is ENFORCING not INFORCING. Also, if you are 28 with a one year old child, you shouldn't be telling people to suck anything. How mature is that? I wouldn't be surprised if your kid would turn out to be like one of Octomom's three year old kids, cussing everybody out.

IPlatotle 8-23-2009 @ 1:28PM

I was relieved to see the kid wasn't actually walking on the wing. I would have had a big problem with that. As it was, I don't think it was any more dangerous than a carnival ride. He was strapped in and couldn't fall. My only question would be, was he pressured to do it or did he do so because he wished to?

They appear loving parents. And the kid looks happy. I'm guessing it was the latter reason, that he did this because he wished to. And so I'm fine with it. But then, I had no problem with Steve Irwin introducing his son to a crocodile, either. It's good being shown your parents' world and learning something of their history through that. That process presents depth to life and is a way of expressing love. If either kid had been crying, though, it would have been another story. Force feeding anything tends to make one undesirous. And freedom of choice should ever be respected.

sallie 8-23-2009 @ 1:46PM

Well Mervin....I hope you keep your potty mouth closed around those little girls.

kmon 8-23-2009 @ 2:52PM

Did anyone watch the other films-- like the one where the experienced wing walker was killed?? I am not sure this is a good idea for a child, I have to questions the parents on allowing this-- and the authorities.

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