Flashback: First Airshow at March Field

  • Published

More than a thousand people, civilians from throughout the community, joined with members of the Command on Thursday in commemorating the second anniversary of March Field. A thrilling air show lasting practically all afternoon was the feature event and was carried out with great success. The visitors were plainly enthused and considerably interested in every department of the air game, as displayed for their benefit, under the direct ion of Lieut. Col. B. K. Yount, Commanding Officer. The visiting throng began arriving shortly after lunch. By 1 o'clock, according to the official program, Major Clark, officer ' in charge of flying had everything in readiness for the big show. Motor cars lined the highway while several hundred spectators took advantage of the reviewing stand and seats arranged for them between hanger’s No. 8 and 9.

The opening event was en-flight of six planes passing in review.  Lieut. McHenry displayed the new La Pere in good fashion; Lieut. Schramm piloted a De Haviland 4;

Lieut. Brinker, a Thomas Morse Scout; Lieut. Snow, an Hispano Curtiss; Lieut. Brand, an SE-5 and · Lieut. George, the Spad. On his first lap around the field, Lieut. George, who is one of the few American Aces remaining in the service, was forced to land with a dead motor. Due to vibration his propeller was shattered and the plane temporarily disabled.

In the second event six cadets, who are graduating today, flew formation over the field. Led by Lieut. Foster, those participating in the flight were Cadets Caulkins,

Keadle, Eckerson, Fowler, De Garmo and Guile. Spectators agreed that with but four months training these men were exceptionally good pilots.

Mimic combat at from three to five thousand feet altitude entertained the audience for the next ten or fifteen minutes. Pilots were Lieutenants Brinker and Schramm in SE-5’s.

Lieutenants Foster, Brand and Colliver in Hispano-Curtiss planes then displayed with credit practically every known “stunt" in aerial navigation. In unison they performed acrobatics over the field for fully a half hour. Then followed one of the most interesting experiments of the day. Lieut. Clark piloting the radio ship took aloft with him a phonograph and by means of an intensifier attached to the wireless receiving apparatus transmitted the music from several "jazz" records to the audience below. The plane at times was a mile or more from the field and the music was clear and distinct throughout the demonstration. Radio messages, both by wireless telephone and telegraphy, were also transmitted.