The Dole Air Race , also known as the Dole Derby , was an air race across the Pacific Ocean from Oakland, California , to Honolulu in the Territory of Hawaii held in August 1927 that resulted in several deaths.
76-446: Dallas Spirit , (aka Swallow Monoplane or Swallow Dole Racer ), was a custom-built aircraft designed to compete in the ill-fated Dole Air Derby between California and Hawaii. Dallas Spirit was built to attempt to win back to back two aviation prizes offered at the peak of record-setting aviation accomplishments in 1927. The first was to win the $ 25,000 Dole Air Derby between Oakland, California and Honolulu, Hawaii . The second
152-453: A 405 US gal (1,530 L) tank, obviating the need for the complicated refueling plan, which would have required the passing of written messages between the two men. Two days after they drew the thirteenth position, on August 10 United States Navy Lieutenants George W. D. Covell and R. S. Waggener took off from San Diego, California in their Tremaine Humming Bird named Spirit of John Rodgers to fly to Oakland; after flying into
228-490: A broken windshield. Unlike Lindbergh's purpose-built Spirit of St. Louis , City of Oakland had been serving as a mail carrier for Pacific Air Transport . According to Smith, Carter threatened to dump the gas after the windshield was lost, forcing the plane's return shortly after takeoff. Carter quit after the record was lost, but Smith hired Emory Bronte as a navigator, and took off again on July 14. Upon running out of fuel 26 hours and 36 minutes later, they crash-landed in
304-493: A canopy above the forward fuselage, but at least one model had the canopy omitted. The Dole racers were modified with 425-gallon fuselage fuel tanks and earth inductor compasses. The prototype Travel Air 5000, s/n 160 "The Spirit of Oakland" was originally sold to Pacific Air Transport in April 1927 and then resold to Ernest Smith for a 14 July flight from Oakland, California , to Molokai, Hawaii , where it crashed on landing becoming
380-523: A check; Jensen stated that Schluter had taken the position for experience and the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Schluter had offered to pay any Dole pilot $ 500 to permit him to navigate. Wyatt singled out the crew of Aloha for praise, calling their use of dead reckoning the greatest single achievement in the history of aviation, especially in comparison to the radio-following course of Woolaroc , which he called "as easy as walking down
456-514: A converted Catron & Fisk CF-10 triplane airline named the Pride of Los Angeles sponsored by the film actor Hoot Gibson and five businessmen, crashed into San Francisco Bay , but the two men and their passenger, Laurence Willes, were able to escape and swim to shore. The next day, British ace Arthur V. Rogers took off for a test flight on August 12 in the twin-engine Angel of Los Angeles at Western Air Express Field at Montebello, California ,
532-570: A crowd estimated between 25,000 and 30,000, and escorted by a Boeing PW-9 out of Wheeler Field . Goebel and Davis won the race in 26 hours, 17 minutes, earning them the US$ 25,000 first prize. After their sponsors were paid, Goebel and Davis split the remainder, earning them each US$ 7,500. Marguerite Jensen, the wife of Martin, anxiously asked the crew of Woolaroc if they had sighted Aloha , which had departed just ahead of Woolaroc ; they replied they had not, adding to her anxiety. Jensen flew much of
608-510: A few days. Both Jensen and Goebel took to the air and searched the ocean on August 18; Goebel searched near Kauai and Jensen checked the Molokai Channel . According to Wyatt, the radial engine of Miss Doran was misfiring on four of nine cylinders when it returned to Oakland; he believed the aircraft had gone down shortly after entering the fog bank just off the Golden Gate. Miss Doran
684-439: A fog bank, the aircraft crashed into an ocean cliff at Point Loma , killing both men. The night before, mechanics were working on the plane's fuel system and counselled the aviators to delay their start to test the plane's systems thoroughly. Lt. Leo Pawlikowski was the navigator originally announced; Pawlikowski had developed an abscess on his back which required surgery, and the doctors would not allow him to participate, so he
760-516: A gopher hole on the runway while taking off from San Diego and wrecked the landing gear and propeller. City of Peoria (Parkhurst/Lowes) was delayed by sandflies, and Bluebird (Giles) was stuck at Detroit with engine issues. Oklahoma (Griffin/Henley) took off on August 4 for an intended nonstop flight from Bartlesville to San Francisco, but was forced down near Amboy by a broken exhaust pipe; after effecting repairs, Oklahoma took off again at approximately 7 am on August 5, but
836-636: A license from the Department of Commerce, which five pilots (not named) did not have. Arose a horde of pompous men to boss the job, as you may ken; made sets of rules to puzzle, fool, as though the racers saw no school; they plotted charts, allotted starts, ruled on gas tanks, criticized parts, befuzzled everything worse 'n tarts till they wracked people's nerves, upset hearts — pray tell me why. — Frank L. Phillips , race team sponsor, "Pray Tell Me Why?", Healdsburg Tribune (August 12, 1927) The race, originally scheduled to start on August 12,
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#1732873702506912-564: A new navigator on August 13. By the qualification deadline of August 15, nine crews had passed the tests; Dallas Spirit was the final qualifier. On August 10, Hollywood pilot and actor Frank Clarke either withdrew or was disqualified from participating in the race with his navigator, Jeff Warren, in Miss Hollydale , an International F-17 biplane . Clarke announced he would attempt the world endurance record instead and took off abruptly on August 13 with his sponsor, Charley H. Babb, leaving
988-581: A nonstop flight across the continental United States) or changing the direction to fly from Hawaii to California, as the consequences of a navigation error would be less dire. Several contestants protested the delay, and the Honolulu chapter of the National Aeronautic Association refused to endorse the recommendation of the Oakland chapter to postpone, meaning the race would proceed. However, nine of
1064-405: A planned flight to Australia. A missing component on a spare compass for Miss Doran sparked fears of vandalism the night before the flight, and competitors vowed to protect their aircraft with shotguns overnight. Pedlar later stated the missing magnet was probably an oversight by the maintenance crew. The Air King (formerly City of Peoria ), flown by Charles Parkhurst and Ralph C. Lowes Jr.,
1140-574: A prize of $ 25,000 (equivalent to $ 353,000 in 2023 ) for the first fixed-wing aircraft to fly the 3,870 kilometers (2,405 mi) from Oakland, California, to Honolulu, Hawaii, and $ 10,000 (equivalent to $ 141,000 in 2023 ) for second place. The flights would have to be completed before August 15, 1928. Dole stated he hoped that Lindbergh would compete. The prospect of breaking more long-distance flight records enticed other wealthy businessmen to offer similar Pacific-conquering prizes: Sid Grauman offered $ 30,000 (equivalent to $ 424,000 in 2023 ) to
1216-421: A raft containing a live man and a dead woman; the radio frequency was not traditionally used by ships, however, and no ships were known to be in the vicinity of the transmission's origin. 5:10 PM — Passed S. S. Manoa , dipped in salute, answered on whistle, which we couldn't hear, only seeing steam; might pick up destroyer squadrons, although this depends on their speed. 5:45 PM — Saw
1292-483: A railroad track." Neither Golden Eagle nor Miss Doran was ever seen again. Dole put up a US$ 10,000 reward for anyone who found either plane; this was matched by each plane's sponsors, for a total of US$ 20,000 reward for each aircraft. Of the two, Golden Eagle had a radio capable of reception only and could use the shipboard radio signals for navigation; Miss Doran had no radio equipment at all. The odds of survival were grim; although each plane
1368-416: A rum-runner on left; had a hell of a time keeping Ike in the plane. 5:52 PM — Passed a destroyer bound for Honolulu. 7:10 PM — Changed course; now at lat. 35:30 N., lon. 130 W. 7:18 PM — Weather partly cloudy, sea smooth, visibility 30 miles. 8:03 PM — Getting dark. 9:02 PM — SOS – Went into tail spin; came out O. K. but sure scared; sure
1444-464: A safer altitude of 500 feet (150 m). The next morning, at 9:30 AM (Hawaii time) on August 17, Jensen calculated they should be close to Hawaii, based on average speed and time elapsed. Over the next two and a half hours Schluter, the navigator, attempted to determine their position from the sun. At noon on August 17, Schluter was able to plot their location: they were approximately 200 miles (320 km) north of Oahu, and Jensen turned for
1520-509: A short test flight on August 10, Giffin confidently predicted they would rest upon arrival in Honolulu, then continue to Australia nonstop, a distance of 4,100 miles (6,600 km). Giffin's intended final destination was Paris, a flight of 30 days in total via Borneo, India, Constantinople, and Rome. Frank Clarke's biplane Miss Hollydale completed a roundtrip test flight from Los Angeles to San Diego without incident on August 4. Captain and Mrs. Erwin announced they would be departing Dallas in
1596-467: A silver piece of aileron was found washed ashore at Redondo Beach , California, which was thought to have come from the lost ship. "Discovery of a number, 43449-10, stamped in indelible ink upon two wooden inner ribs, upon the wing, lent hope that it might be possible to trace it to its origin. The fragment was taken to the biology laboratory at the University of Southern California , to determine how long it
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#17328737025061672-478: A thorn tree on Molokai . Dole disqualified the successful June and July flights from his prizes because they had not followed his rules. The Air Corps flight had been planned months prior to the prize announcement and had no intent to land other than at Wheeler airfield. By July 22, the starting and ending points had not been set. San Francisco began developing its new municipal airport, Mills Field, in anticipation that it could entice pilots into choosing it as
1748-476: A wheat field in the San Joaquin Valley , but damaged the landing gear in the process and had trouble making repairs because they no longer had any tools. Doran went to Modesto, California to secure tools and a mechanic; she quipped "We threw [the tools] off at Long Beach because they were in the way and cluttering things up." Lawing, chief aerographer and meteorologist at Naval Air Station North Island ,
1824-465: The Dallas Spirit for Oakland on August 6 or 7, planning to continue around the world via Tokyo after the race to Hawaii. Goddard had already built and tested El Encanto and anticipated it would reach speeds of 120 mph (190 km/h) at takeoff, speeding up to 140 mph (230 km/h) when nearing Honolulu as fuel was consumed, lightening the aircraft. El Encanto means "The Enchanted" and
1900-420: The Dallas Spirit . Amateur radio operators across the country monitored the transmissions on the 33.1-meter wavelength. At 9 pm, Eichwald sent a message that the aircraft went into a spin and recovered, followed by a second S.O.S. that the plane had gone into a spin. The abrupt signal loss in the middle of the call occurred as the plane crashed into the ocean about 650 miles west of Oakland. On 27 October 1927,
1976-518: The Thirteen Flying Black Cats , nicknamed the "Suicide Squadron", a Hollywood stunt pilot association started in 1922; that group's exploits were dramatized in the 1932 film The Lost Squadron . The two stuntmen were quickly joined by other contestants as the August 2 entry deadline approached. Fourteen official and four unofficial entrants were announced on August 3; Grace was not part of
2052-758: The Dole race. The publicity for the first successful transpacific flights from Oakland to Hawaii was stolen by two flights in June and July 1927, ahead of the scheduled August start for the Dole Derby. On 28 June, about a month after Dole posted the prizes, US Army Air Corps Lieutenants Lester J. Maitland and Albert F. Hegenberger flew Bird of Paradise (a three-engine Atlantic-Fokker C-2 military aircraft) from Bay Farm Airport in Oakland to Wheeler Army Airfield on Oahu in 25 hours and 50 minutes. An earlier attempt in 1925 had ended in failure for two Navy PN-9 seaplanes ; one of
2128-453: The Golden Gate at 12:20 PM, followed by Aloha at 12:48. Aircraft then began to return: Miss Doran circled back and landed approximately ten minutes after departing (12:43 PM), its engine "sputtering like a Tin Lizzie." Oklahoma returned to Oakland and Dallas Spirit also turned back, both returning at approximately 1:08 PM; Oklahoma had ripped the fabric covering
2204-503: The Great Circle route. Meanwhile, three ships left Hawaii for San Francisco on August 18, sweeping the ocean in the opposite direction: USS S-29 , Pelican , and Sunnadin . Some residents of Wailuku stated they had heard an airplane's engine grow louder, then abruptly cease on the afternoon of the 17th. Two boys said they had seen an aircraft run out of fuel and glide down just 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 miles (2.4 km) off
2280-463: The Travel Air 5000. National Air Transport awarded Travel Air a contract to produce the aircraft with the larger Wright J-5C engine and seating for four passengers. Eight aircraft were built for air mail contract and passenger service. The Travel Air 5000 was a high-wing monoplane with conventional landing gear . The fuselage was constructed of welded steel tubing. The cockpit was fully enclosed in
2356-531: The air currents at Mills were too dangerous and all aircraft would take off from Oakland instead. Bennett Griffin received the first draw. (Tremaine Humming Bird) Contestants were to present the aircraft and pilots by Monday, August 8 in San Francisco, so the Bay Area chapter of the National Aeronautic Association could check their certificates and licenses as a final qualification. Once their papers were checked,
Dallas Spirit - Misplaced Pages Continue
2432-418: The aircraft came down again 7 miles (11 km) outside of Los Angeles due to heavy fog. Spirit of John Rodgers (Covell/Waggener) was also forced down twice during a flight from Brea to San Diego : first near Santa Ana by fog during a test flight on August 5; then again after an oil feed line broke on August 6, forcing the plane down at Escondido . The Tremaine Humming Bird monoplane , which
2508-399: The aircraft reached an altitude of 200 feet (61 m) and began acting "queer"; Rogers jumped out of the plane as it suddenly dived towards the ground, but died as either his foot or parachute snagged on the aircraft as it crashed. Leland A. Bryant, the designer of the aircraft, was to have served as Rogers's navigator, but was not on board during the test flight. Maj. Livingston Irving
2584-462: The aircraft that was repaired took off again to search for the missing aircraft several days later but also vanished over the sea ( Dallas Spirit ). In all, before, during, and after the race, ten people died and six airplanes were lost or damaged beyond repair. Inspired by Charles A. Lindbergh 's successful trans-Atlantic flight, James D. Dole , the Hawaii pineapple magnate, announced on May 25, 1927,
2660-546: The aircraft, commanded by Commander John Rodgers , ran out of fuel several hundred miles short of Hawaii and sailed to Kauai over the next nine days. Ernie Smith and Captain C.H. Carter had arrived in Oakland earlier to attempt to parallel the Maitland/Hegenberger flight in the City of Oakland , a small Travel Air 5000 civilian monoplane, but due to mechanical difficulties, took off two hours after Maitland, and returned with
2736-499: The contestants agreed to postpone the contest late in the evening of August 11, which would give the teams time to rest and pass the stringent qualification tests; the deadline to qualify was extended to 10 AM on August 15. The National Aeronautic Association disqualified Constance O. Erwin, wife of Captain William P. Erwin of the Dallas Spirit from participating due to her age. Erwin's disqualification left 22-year-old Mildred Doran as
2812-496: The contestants would again draw for starting positions. Before the race started, many of the aircraft had mechanical issues during test flights and while traveling to San Francisco to meet the final qualification deadline. Pabco Flyer (Irving) broke a fuel line while conducting a test flight on August 5 from San Francisco to San Diego, and was forced down in a cow pasture near Point Sur, approximately 40 miles (64 km) south of Monterey . Golden Eagle (Frost/Scott) hit
2888-408: The disastrous Dole Air Race from California to Hawaii . Cessna broke away from traditional biplane development with a monoplane in 1926. The first prototype was a 5-passenger aircraft with a 110 hp (82 kW) Anzani engine. The aircraft was modified by Cessna, Lloyd Stearman, and Walter Beech that fall. A second aircraft was built that December, and featured a Wright J-4 Whirlwind as
2964-678: The finish. When they landed at approximately 2:15 PM, Aloha had only 5 US gallons (19 L) of fuel remaining; in order to ensure the engine never starved for fuel, the crew was required to pump the gravity-fed tank until it overflowed. Aloha arrived approximately two hours after Woolaroc , in 28 hours, 16 minutes, earning Jensen and Schluter the US$ 10,000 second prize. Out of his $ 10,000 winnings, pilot Jensen gave his navigator Schluter only $ 25. Details of Schluter's scanty share became public after he approached friends in Hawaii to help him cash
3040-484: The first to fly from Los Angeles to Tokyo, and William Easterwood offered a similar $ 25,000 prize for the first to fly from Dallas to Hong Kong in three stops (Honolulu, Guam or Manila, and San Francisco), taking no more than "144 consecutive hours" and before 28 September. All the wealthy patrons hoped to draw Lindbergh. The Honolulu chapter of the National Aeronautic Association drew up rules for
3116-754: The flight over San Francisco with an overheating engine. She was followed by El Encanto at 12:02 PM, which failed to clear the runway before she swerved and crashed, smashing the port wing 4,800 feet (1,500 m) from the starting line. Pabco Flyer , starting at 12:09 PM, lifted momentarily into the air, then crashed some 7,000 feet (2,100 m) from the start. Their crews were not hurt. The last five planes successfully departed. Golden Eagle took off smoothly at 12:30 PM and flew out of sight. Miss Doran succeeded in taking off at 12:31 PM. The final three, Aloha (at 12:33 PM), Woolaroc (12:34 PM), and Dallas Spirit (12:36 PM) all left uneventfully. Oklahoma passed through
Dallas Spirit - Misplaced Pages Continue
3192-493: The fuselage, and Dallas Spirit was having issues with its tail gear. Miss Doran and Pabco Flyer would make second starting attempts; Pabco Flyer crashed a second time at 1 PM, putting her out of the race for good, but Miss Doran succeeded and took off again at 2:03 PM. Of the fifteen teams that participated in the draw, just four were on the course: Golden Eagle , Aloha , Woolaroc , and Miss Doran . A series of ships were strung out along
3268-607: The group. The draw for starting position in the Dole race was held on 8 August in the office of C. W. Saunders, California director of the National Aeronautics Association , at the Matson Building in San Francisco . Of the eighteen entries, fifteen made the official draw; contestants could choose to take off from Mills Field near San Francisco or Oakland Municipal Airport , but the contestants later decided
3344-506: The missing pilots. Repairs to the tail section of the Dallas Spirit tail section took two days. On 18 August, Erwin decided to attempt the California to Hawaii trip without the prize, searching for the missing aircraft Miss Doran and Golden Eagle , then continuing on to Manila and Hong Kong. A 55-watt short wave radio was removed from another contestant, the Pabco Flyer and installed in
3420-586: The newly constructed East Central factory. The Travel Air 5000 "Woolaroc" which won the Dole Race is on display at the Woolaroc Museum near Bartlesville, Oklahoma . The Travel Air 5000 flying as National Air Transport's #17 aircraft on display at the former Fort Worth Star Telegram headquarters building in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. In 1927, this aircraft was the first to bring passengers and mail in to Dallas & Fort Worth. National Air Transport presented
3496-488: The night of August 17. The search fleet included three submarines, USS R-8 , S-42 , and S-46 . By August 19, Langley had started steaming towards Hawaii at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) from a spot 40 miles (64 km) west of the Farallones, sweeping a lane 200 miles (320 km) wide with its airplanes. Other surface ships that had set out from California were commanded to shift their search parallel to
3572-543: The north shore of Oahu on August 17 at 9 PM local time, with its engine glowing red. A report that Miss Doran had been found in Honolua Bay the night of August 18 proved to be false; a sampan with an identical red, white, and blue color scheme had been mistaken for the aircraft. On August 19, an amateur radio operator in Alhambra reportedly intercepted a radio message stating a derelict airplane had been found along with
3648-412: The only female participant to take part in the race. A three-part qualification test was administered to the navigators by Naval Lieutenant Ben H. Wyatt, consisting of a written, oral, and flying examination. For the flight exam, the pilot and navigator were sent over a predetermined course and upon their return, quizzed to determine which points they had passed. By August 11, none of the crews had passed
3724-464: The origin; the initial planned destination was John Rodgers Airport near Honolulu. The first official entrant, announced on June 28, was Arthur Cornelius Goebel [ Wikidata ] . Another early entrant was Dick Grace , who shipped his plane to San Francisco shortly after he crashed his Cruzair, forcing him to abandon a Kauai to San Francisco attempt in June. At the time, both Grace and Goebel were better known as founding members of
3800-465: The other contestants fuming. One day later, Clarke sent a telegram to the race sponsors from Los Angeles, apologizing for the furor and officially withdrawing from the race. On August 15, Frederick Giles was disqualified as he had not arrived in time to meet the navigation qualification test deadline. Giles would go on to attempt a solo flight from San Francisco to Honolulu in November as the first leg of
3876-468: The plane to fix. Martin Jensen and Robert Fowler competed over the purchase rights for the same Breese-Wilde Model 5 ; Jensen won that race after his wife Margaret raised US$ 15,000 from local backers in Honolulu, and Jensen took delivery of Aloha on August 8. Fowler, left without an airplane for the contest, was forced to withdraw. Because Aloha was only completed when the race was nearly about to begin,
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#17328737025063952-417: The preparations for the contest were rushed; the fuel tanks on Aloha only held 130 US gallons (490 L) and the original plan was to add sufficient spare fuel capacity via forty-nine portable 5 US gal (19 L) containers, requiring the navigator to fill the central tank, then transfer fuel to the 50 US gal (190 L) tank in use via a hand pump; the plane was later retrofitted with
4028-449: The race. Eight aircraft eventually started the race on August 16. Only two successfully arrived in Hawaii; Woolaroc , a Travel Air 5000 piloted by Arthur C. Goebel and William V. Davis , arrived after a 26 hour, 15 minute flight, leading runner-up Aloha by two hours. Of the other six aircraft, two had crashed on takeoff, two were forced to return for repairs, and two went missing during the race ( Golden Eagle and Miss Doran ). One of
4104-647: The radio beams from the picket ships stationed along the route helped guide the aircraft, Davis used it only to check the course plotted via traditional instruments. Of the four aircraft headed to Hawaii, only Woolaroc had a two-way radio capable of sending and receiving messages. In fact, Davis had packed a spare radio and repair parts based on Bronte's prior experience in July. The crew radioed Wahiawa Radio Station, next to Wheeler Field, when they were approximately 200 miles (320 km) out with an estimated remaining time of 2 1 ⁄ 2 hours. They were greeted in Hawaii by
4180-609: The route from San Francisco to Honolulu to transmit radio signals (allowing radio-equipped airplanes to take bearings), mark distances, and provide emergency aid if needed. In addition, the Navy's sole aircraft carrier, USS Langley , was put on standby in San Diego. Woolaroc flew a great-circle route , flying at an altitude of 4,000 to 6,000 feet (1,200 to 1,800 m), above the cloud cover. The navigator, Davis, used sextants and smoke bombs to calculate course and wind drift; although
4256-455: The route. A fog bank started at the Golden Gate and the entire route was overcast. At Oakland Municipal Airport, clearance to depart was not granted until just before noon; the fog that had lain over the airport did not lift until 10:40 AM. The initial takeoffs were plagued with trouble, as several of the heavily-laden aircraft struggled to take off. Oklahoma took off first, just after 12 PM. The crew would eventually abort
4332-463: The second aircraft to complete a trans-pacific flight, and the first civilian aircraft to do so. Orders placed in June 1927 for two custom-built Travel Air model 5000 aircraft to compete in the Oakland, California , to Honolulu, Hawaii , Dole Air Race . Two teams placed $ 5000 deposits, and were later sponsored by Frank Phillips of Phillips Petroleum to promote their "Nu-Aviation" fuel. The "Oklahoma"
4408-440: The starting line-up had dwindled to nine aircraft, with one of the nine disqualified just before the start of the race. In order of start, they were: The fifteen competitors were seen off by a crowd estimated to include 75,000 to 100,000 persons on August 16, 1927. Weather was predicted to have a high fog on takeoff (extending from approximately 50 to 100 miles (80 to 161 km) offshore) and intermittent, localized showers along
4484-455: The test. Pedlar's Miss Doran was found to have inaccurate compasses. Later, it was noted that only two teams had qualified ( El Encanto and Golden Eagle ), with one more likely to qualify ( Oklahoma ) by the original date of Friday, August 12. On August 12, four crews had passed: Oklahoma (Griffin/Henley), El Encanto (Goddard/Hawkins), Pabco Pacific Flyer (Irving), and Golden Eagle (Frost/Scott). Miss Doran (Pedlar/Knope) passed with
4560-407: The way at a low altitude of 10 to 50 feet (3.0 to 15.2 m) above sea level, helping fuel economy but making it impossible to sight the stars for navigation. Three times during the flight, Jensen attempted to climb to 4,000 feet (1,200 m), but went into a tailspin each time; once Jensen inadvertently commanded a shallow dive and skimmed the water with the landing gear, prompting him to rise to
4636-405: Was a close call; Bill Erwin thought it was all off but we came out of it, the lights on the instrument board went out and it was so dark that Bill couldn't see the tail spin. 9:10 PM — SOS tail spin– Travel Air 5000 The Travel Air 5000 was an early high-wing monoplane airliner and racing monoplane designed by Clyde Cessna and is chiefly remembered for being the winner of
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#17328737025064712-585: Was also approximately halfway, at the northern edge of the course. Because Golden Eagle had sufficient fuel to reach and pass Hawaii altogether, some theorized the aircraft may have overshot the goal in the darkness; Wyatt rejected that theory as ludicrous, as the Golden Eagle would have passed over the islands in broad daylight. 42 Navy ships were involved in the search for the Golden Eagle and Miss Doran , joined by smaller vessels based in Hawaii; USS Langley and Aroostook departed from San Diego
4788-402: Was designed and built by Fred Thaheld and William D. Tremaine, had a wingspan of 47 feet 6 inches (14.48 m) and a low wing configuration, unusual for the time. Meanwhile, Mildred Doran , Auggy Pedlar, and navigator Manley Lawing were flying into Oakland on August 6 when their aircraft developed engine trouble due to fouled spark plugs. They successfully landed near Mendota in
4864-466: Was designed by Goddard after the streamlining of a salmon. Woolaroc , piloted by Goebel, was originally intended to fly solo, but later decided to have Lieutenant W. J. Slattery navigate; for the flight to Hawaii, Lt. William V. Davis navigated for Woolaroc . Goebel departed from Bartlesville on a nonstop flight to San Francisco on August 6. In test flights before the race, Goebel's Woolaroc encountered gear issues that required Goebel to hang outside
4940-506: Was disqualified at 11:15 AM on the 16th, less than an hour before the first plane would start, because its 370-US-gallon (1,400 L; 310 imp gal) tanks were estimated to give the plane a range 300 miles (480 km) short by inspectors. A test was held at sundown on August 15 to quantify fuel consumption; it was determined the aircraft would consume 13 US gallons per hour (0.82 L/min) when cruising at 90 mph (140 km/h). The race began on 16 August, by which time
5016-457: Was forced to return to land, while the "Woolaroc" completed the flight and won. Woolaroc was later modified late in 1928 for an unsuccessful transcontinental speed record attempt. National Air Transport and Royal Airways used the model 5000 in revenue service. Production of the first four airliners was in the West Douglas plant. On 30 June 1927 production of two Modified model 5000's started in
5092-850: Was in the water." A check of records indicated that the missing aircraft had silver elevators while the rest of the ship was green. Dallas Spirit was built on credit with the promise of the Swallow Airplane Company receiving some of the prize money. The disappearance of the plane was enough to send the company into receivership. Owner Mollendick sold off his interests to aviation investor Victor Roos . Data from aerofiles General characteristics Performance Avionics 55w wind driven radio Dole Air Race There were eighteen official and unofficial entrants; of them fifteen officially drew for starting positions, and of those fifteen, two were disqualified, two withdrew, and three aircraft crashed resulting in three deaths before
5168-622: Was intended to bring as much publicity to the city as the Spirit of St. Louis did earlier in the year with Charles Lindbergh 's solo transatlantic crossing. The scheduled departure date was 16 August 1927. Dallas Spirit was flown by 31-year-old William Portwood Erwin and navigated by 27-year-old Alvin Eichwaldt . Before the race started, two planes had already crashed, killing all their occupants. Most competitors barely could take off, and had mishaps, or turned back just after departure. Dallas Spirit
5244-564: Was last sighted passing the Farallon Islands at 2:43 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST). Golden Eagle was last reported approximately halfway to Honolulu, at the southern edge of the course with Aloha at 2 AM PST on August 17 by SS City of Los Angeles , relaying messages from the Army Signal Corps. At about the same time, SS Manulani relayed a message that Woolaroc , possibly accompanied by Miss Doran ,
5320-444: Was later replaced by Vilas R. Knope when Lawing could not satisfy the race committee of his navigational skills. He reportedly got lost over Oakland. James L. Giffin announced he needed US$ 15,000 to complete a giant triplane under construction in July 1927; at the time, he was planning to fly it from Los Angeles to Tokyo via Hawaii. The motors of the triplane, by then named Pride of Los Angeles , were installed in early August. After
5396-419: Was one of these unlucky entrants, returning shortly after the first attempt with six feet of fabric torn from the side, blamed on a misaligned access panel under the navigator. Of the four aircraft that continued, two aircraft reported landings in Hawaii, and two disappeared: Miss Doran and Golden Eagle . Dole and William F. Mallosa, who had backed Miss Doran , put a combined $ 50,000 in rewards together to find
5472-556: Was postponed on August 11, in light of the numerous mechanical issues, failed qualification tests, and poor weather. The Aeronautics Division of the Commerce Department (the forerunner to today's Federal Aviation Administration ) felt the planned race was unsafe and supported a two-week delay; other changes urged by the Aeronautics Division included switching the route to fly an equivalent distance over land (for instance,
5548-429: Was replaced with Waggener. William Davis, a Navy lieutenant who would serve as the navigator for Art Goebel on Woolaroc , was granted leave to participate in the race; he had planned to catch a ride with Covell and Waggener to San Francisco, but the leave was not granted in time, and he took a train from San Diego instead. Then, on 11 August, as J. L. Giffin and Theodore S. Lundgren approached Oakland, their aircraft,
5624-402: Was required to carry fresh water, food, and a life raft, these were limited in quantity and durability as seaborne assistance had been anticipated to respond quickly. In addition, the route was experiencing rough seas and a high sea state . Unlike the unsuccessful flight of Rodgers in 1925, the two missing aircraft were not flying boats, and they were not expected to remain afloat for more than
5700-434: Was the first pilot to qualify for the contest. During the pre-race inspections, Major Clarence Young declared that up to ten of the fifteen entries may be disqualified for inadequate fuel capacity; the rule stated that a single-engine aircraft was required to carry 460 US gallons (1,700 L) of fuel, a nominal capacity of 400 US gallons (1,500 L) plus a 15% reserve. Another rule was interpreted to require pilots to hold
5776-606: Was to win the $ 25,000 prize for a flight between Dallas and Hong Kong sponsored by William E. Easterwood. Dallas Spirit was built at the Swallow factory at 2401 North Hillside, in Wichita, Kansas . Dallas Spirit was a high-wing monoplane with conventional landing gear. The dual wingstruts featured large airfoil shaped fairings. It was painted green and silver. Dallas Spirit was unveiled at Love Field in Dallas , Texas on 6 August 1927. It
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