Volume 29, Number 4 - Winter 2014 Now Shipping

Articles Include:

The Winter 2014 issue focuses on American activities related to World War I aviation, beginning with a different twist. Alan Toelle’s “Wings Over America Victory Loan Flying Circus Far West Flight” is the story of what some American pilots and mechanics did right after the war had ended. The U.S. Government, trying to defray some of the expenses it had incurred during the war, launched a Victory Loan program in April/May 1919 whereby it sold bonds to the public. To promote that effort, veteran pilots and mechanics still in the military were sent around the country to perform air shows for the public. They were divided into three major groups with one of them, the Far West Flight, formed at Rockwell Field, San Diego, California. The planes they used were the American Curtiss JN-6H, the French-designed Spad VII, the British SE.5a, and the German Fokker D.VII. The men all came from the 103^rd Aero Squadron and included such notables as Lt.-Col. William Thaw, Maj. Carl Spatz, and Capt. Clyde Balsley. The monumental task assigned to them was to perform air shows at three different locations each day for 30 days! They put on mock bombing raids and dogfights for their audiences, most of whom had never seen an airplane in person, much less in action. Toelle traces Far West Flight’s formation, movements, and achievements through first person accounts, reports published in local newspapers, and numerous photographs. As one progresses through the account, it becomes clear that what these men accomplished was a literal tour de force that was in some ways as remarkable as their performance in wartime.

“In the Line of Duty”(by Steve Ruffin and Todd Tift) is the sad story of Marion L. Overend, who became the first U.S. Army Nurse in World War I to die in an aircraft accident. What began as a simple joyride with an experienced senior pilot quickly turned tragic for Overend, whose remains still rest in French soil. Many photographs, including some of the aftermath of the crash, supplement the tale.

“Quentin Roosevelt Introspective” is an addendum to the article, “One of Us – Quentin Roosevelt – A Hero’s Journey,” that appeared two years ago in our journal (Vol.27, No.4). The author of both, Alan Toelle, offers additional evidence, information, and commentary on various aspects of Roosevelt’s story, including his interment and gravesite.

“Between the Lines” announces new officers for the League of World War I Aviation Historians and provides a synopsis of the League’s highly successful seminar, “Autumn Wings: The Centennial of Aviation Warfare,” that was held in Dayton, Ohio on 24-26 September 2014.

For the benefit of our readers, “Between the Bookends” gives detailed reviews written by Peter Kilduff, James Streckfuss, Jon Guttman, Steve Ruffin, Noel Shirley, and Alan Toelle of 19 recent publications centered on World War I aviation. “Mentioned in Despatches” offers another opinion on the value of grey scale interpretation of WWI photographs.