propellor

Turner, Roscoe Military Combat Enshrined 1975 1895-1970 Turner’s major contribution to aviation was speed. And while he is known for his showmanship and speed records in the 1930s, the race years brought considerable pressure and gave him terrible nightmares. The press would dub him “superman” and “immortal” on one page while the obituary writers were putting him in the ground on another. In 1935 one newspaper printed his obituary in advance and delivered it to his hotel room the night before the Cleveland race. “No matter how many newspapers turn you into a superman, an immortal, you’re still a man inside, you don’t quite feel like dying, and you’re generally scared as hell,” Turner said. In 1929, he set a speed record between Los Angeles and New York while carrying a passenger. He broke the transcontinental record more times than any other person. During his barnstorming days, he sported a wax mustache and a pseudo-military uniform and often flew with his pet lion “Gilmore.” In 1933, Turner won the Bendix Transcontinental race. Turner was the only person to win the Thompson Trophy Races in 1934, 1938, and 1939. Turner and Jimmy Doolittle are the only pilots to win both the Thompson and Bendix trophies. In 1934, Turner was the sponsor and commander of the only American team to finish the McRobertson International Air Race from London, England to Melbourne, Australia, taking second place in the speed division. During World War II, Turner established an institute to train pilots. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1952 by an Act of Congress, for his contributions to aviation development and pioneering in speed flying. It was the first to be awarded in over 20 years by an Act of Congress and only one of six to be awarded by Congress. Turner was a consultant to the House Science and Astronautics Committee, serving the 86th, 87th, and 89th U.S. Congress. Source: www.nationalaviation.org/our-enshrinees/turner-roscoe/

Post 1921 (launched)

O Mac Can't be post-1921. Were there a few Scotias??

1902: www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=10814

Before 1920 - it was renamed then.

In fact, before 1914; it was requisitioned by the admiralty.

Mussolini sent a congratulatory message to the fliers and said he hoped to see them for the Pentecost celebrations when they would be accorded a national welcome. The fliers received a huge welcome here, doing social rounds and meeting the de Valera led Cabinet. Up to 15 mechanics had to fashion parts from scrap metal to repair the under-carriage and it was two weeks before the plane took from Moy. Alas, they came down again, this time in Wales, when the engine failed. Another two weeks passed before the 'Mona Lisa' was repaired again. Commodore Pond, who was now at the end of his tether, made the sensational claim that their plane had been vandalised! It is now known if they got that national welcome promised by Mussolini. Incidentally, Lieut. Sabelli sported the Italian Facist badge. - D. O'Shaughnessy.

denisoshaughnessy How marvellous! And what a picture of not only early aviation, but Thirties politics... Thank you!

Very interresting!

I found a picture of the aircraft at Floyd Bennett Field, New York (near the present JFK Airport) and it can be seen that it is a substantial enough machine. It is a Bellanca J-300 and this photo was taken by Rudy Arnold, an aviation photographer from the 1920s to the 1950s. sirismm.si.edu/nasmtop/NASM/7a/NASM-7A03451~A.jpg

Irish251 Gorgeous to see the full machine, as the ditch in our photo, while adding to the drama, obscures so much of the plane...