blair

This is awesome. I'm a huge fan of Sherman. He was a great American and my biggest hero.

www.flickr.com/photos/127252990@N05/22756114184/

North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang 44-10947 "...SOC at Searcy Field, Stillwater, OK. Sold by War Assets Corp to Paul Mantz Feb 19, 1946 as NCX1202. Won 1946 and 1947 Bendix trophy races, placed second in 1948 Bendix trophy race. Registered as NC1202, placed 3rd in 1949 Bendix trophy race. Set coast to coast speed records in both directions in 1947. Purchased by Charles Blair and prepared for round the world record attempt as Excalibur III. Attempt pre-empted by Korean War. Set record New York-London time of 7 hr 48 min Jan 31, 1951, which still stands for piston-engined aircraft. First trans-polar flight from Norway to Fairbanks, AK May 29, 1951, winning Harmon Trophy. Now with Air and Space Museum as Excalibur III. Reported in 1990 as on display in Museum of Science and Industry, Los Angeles, CA" - J. Baugher

A similar photo was in the New Britain Herald. September 06, 1924, Page 11, top of column 6. chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014519/1924-09-06/ed-... Beneath the photo is the following explanation: "'How come?' inquired boat officials when pretty Pauline Blair boarded the ship bound for Europe attired In this neat but not gaudy costume. She explained she had promised to respond to farewells of friends by doing a toe dance on the anchor instead of the more conventional Chautauqua salute and tears. The commander of the ship called off the dance and Miss Blair retired to her cabin and donned civilian attire."

www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113799684