Gathering Of Racing Legends

[Kevin Grantham]

Air Racing Legends To Gather In Cleveland in May 2006

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the post-World War II National Air Races, held in Cleveland, Ohio (1946-1949), the Society of Air Racing Historians will present its 22nd Annual International Symposium of Air Racing History. The symposium will be held May 5-7, 2006, at the Holiday Inn – Airport, in Brook Park, a suburb of Cleveland. The society plans to reunite many of the surviving air race participants who will share their racing experiences during the symposium.

“The Society of Air Racing Historians has gone to great lengths to assemble the legends of air racing from the great post-war Cleveland era,” said Don Berliner, society president and noted author. “We’re honored to have so many of the race pilots return to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the National Air Races at next year’s event.”

Racing legends slated to participate in the symposium include:

• Cook Cleland, winner Thompson Trophy 1947 and 1949.
• Dick Becker, Super Corsair pilot and teammate of Cleland.
• Ron Puckett, Super Corsair pilot.
• Gen. Robin Olds (ret.), fighter ace and 1946 Thompson (jet) race participant
• Bill Lear Jr., Bendix Trophy pilot (1946 and 1947).
• Bill Brennand, winner of the 1947 and 1949 Goodyear Trophy Races.
• Dori Marland, participant in the all-women’s Halle Trophy Race (1947).

The 1946 National Air Races ushered in the post-war era of air racing, where surplus military fighters dominated the cross-country Bendix and closed-course Thompson Trophy races. The National Air Races, comparable in crowd size and following to today’s NASCAR races, were held during the Labor Day weekend beginning in 1946 and ending in 1949. The 1950 event was cancelled due to America’s entry into the Korean War.

“You don’t have to be a dedicated air racing fan to enjoy the Gathering of Air Racing Legends, said Berliner. “It will be a celebration of the biggest event in Cleveland’s history: the National Air Races, as a dozen or more men and women who thrilled hundreds of thousands of spectators return to the site of their glory days. Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share a rare experience with them.”

For more information, email; A. Kevin Grantham, Pscreamer@msn.com

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: Gathering Of Racing Legends

Kevin... .how'd the meeting go??

Let us know!!

Wayne

[race9]

Re: Gathering Of Racing Legends

I went, and it was great. Very informative.

[race9]

Re: Gathering Of Racing Legends

There was also a nice silent auction on Saturday.

[kennsmithf2g]

Re: Gathering Of Racing Legends

The weekend was unofficially kicked off with an informal gathering of the early arrivals on Thursday in the lounge of the hotel.

Friday was a day of informal videos, slide shows, and displays with a reception in the evening provided by one of our sponsors. Displays included models, pictures, real (Steve Beville's Kendall Trophy brought by his daughter, and replica (Thompson Trophy and a copy of Dick Becker's 2nd place plaque) Trophies and other sundry items. NASA and the Women's Air & Sapce Museum had displays and several authors. A great time to mingle and make new friends.

Race pilots attending included: Richard Becker, Bill Brennand, Lee Cameron, , Don Fairbanks, Jim Harp, Bill Lear, Jimmy Leeward, Kip Mone', Robin Olds, Denny Sherman, and Bob Swanson. I hope that I didn't forget anyone.

The presentations started on Saturday morning with an informative talk of the Women's T6 races by Connie Luhta of the Women's Air & Space Museum located here in Cleveland.

Next was James Harp, who flew a P-38 to 5th place in the 1946 Bendix. Seems that he never flew a P-38 until he picked it up an the War Assets depot. He also modified and raced a P-39 in the 1949 Sohio Trophy Race to 9th place. He modified it with a P63 engine and prop.

Lee Cameron followed telling about his 1949 Bendix race in a B-26. He was hoping that the P51’s would drop out with problems so he would have a chance, but they didn’t. He was instrumental in obtaining Joe Debonda’s P51 for the race also.

The afternoon started with a panel discussion on the Goodyear races with Bill Brennand, Kip Mone’ and Dusty Dowd (nephew of Bill Falk) telling of the 1947-1949 races. The discussion was MC’D by Aaron King Jr.

Next was a panel discussion on Thompson Trophy Race with Dick Becker, Bob Swanson and Jimmy Leeward. It was MC’d by Kevin Grantham. Dick Becker told stories of him and Cook. Bob Swanson's 1st P51 was in crates when he went to pick it up. Seems he wasn't told about that. He told of his crew and their speed secret and how he obtained his 2nd P51 after his 1st crashed (he sold the data plate for $50.00 from the crashed plane) Jimmy Leeward told of his progress of rebuilding the Galloping Ghost and some of the road blocks that he had to overcome. He parted out the rebuild and when he called on the hydraulics, they told him that they thought that he was doing a complete restoration and would need them for a few years…………

The afternoon was capped by Bill Lear telling of his Bendix experiences in the 1946 and 1947 races. Seems he also never flew a P-38 until he picked his up………

Robin Olds finished the evening with his talk on flying the Lockheed P80-A Shooting Star to 2nd place in the 1946 Jet Bendix and also the story of how he was “had” by the P80 boys from Wright Field. He also tald some of his military exploits.

A silent auction was held also with everything from balsa gliders, an empty Reno pop can to a replica of Dick Becker’s 1947 2nd place Thompson Trophy, made from a mold made of his actual trophy.


Kenn