Birch J. Matthews

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Wet Wings & Drop Tanks

Here is a unique, revealing, one-of-a-kind book about many of the personalities, pilot, and aircraft involved in major transcontinental races across the United States from 1928-1970. Cross-country unlimited class events-including non-stop air derbies of the late 1920s, the famous Bendix Trophy Races of the 1930s and 1940s, and modern Reno Harolds Club Trophy to 1970-produced some of the most exciting and heartbreaking tournaments on record. Written by the co-author of Mustang: The Racing Thoroughbred, this companion volume is an extensive history and assessment of many factors involved in the isolated, lonely environment of long distance air racing.\nAlthough the history is seasoned with technical lore-the history of aviation weather forecasting and wireless radio transmission, major engine manufacturing, detailed histories of the Marcoux-Bromberg r-3, and the Granville Brothers Gee Bee-the human element is by no means neglected. The trials, ordeals and mishaps of many famous pilots include Jimmy Doolittle, Art Grobel, Benny Howard, Earl Ortman, Joe Debona, Charley Tucker, Ed Lunken, and Mike Carroll, and are remembered in context with the planes they flew.