williamvdavisjr

Woolaroc, One of two modified Travel Air 5000 aircraft, NX869, flown by Arthur C. Goebel

Lindbergh?

A30yoyo Sure is!

Charles Lindbergh with pilots from Bombing Squadron VB-2B aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3). Lindbergh visited the USS Saratoga on 8 February 1929. He was aboard for two days and while he was there he was invited to fly the new Boeing F3B-1. The VB-2B made him an honorary member of the squadron. Date Taken February 1928 The U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation has this photo in their collection (Photo No. 1989.119.002). That is where I found this information.

Note, to Lindbergh's right, the mustached naval aviator. That is (then) Lieutenant William V. Davis, Jr. In August 1927, Lt. Davis participated in the historic (and tragic) Dole Air Race, which offered a prize to entrants who completed a non-stop flight between Oakland, California, and Honolulu, Hawaii. Davis was the navigator for winning entry, a Travel-Air 5000 named "Woolaroc" (registration NX869), piloted by Art Goebbel. Davis would go on to further distinction as a Naval Aviator and officer in the years ahead - including becoming the second naval aviator to fly faster than the speed of sound as he piloted the Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket in 1949. See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dole_Air_Race en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_V._Davis

You can never get enough of these gorgeous Dole participants.

thanks!