Albany Union High School - Whirlwind Yearbook (Albany, OR)

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Thurston Gilchrist Gordon Childs Mr. Palmor Eleanor Martinson Julia Morrill Senior Class History HERE comes little Henry as usual for his bedtime story. Well, son, what shall it be? Did I ever tell you the story about the big “thirty-niner,” the largest and most successful example of modern aircraft? And such a crew as it did have! They possessed some of the most brilliant master-minds in history. The instigator and designer of this plane was E. A. Hudson, a worthy man who made possible many flights. The ship made a short trial flight to Freshman Islands in ’36 under Pilots Oberson and Gilchrist. Since the trip was safely made, the crew prepared themselves in the following year for a long non-stop flight to Sophomore Island. Because of his unusual ability and deep in- terest in the former flight, Oberson was unanimously chosen chief pilot of the long, tedious journey. Each member of the crew had looked forward to this first trip for years. If they made a good record this time, they could make greater flights in the future years. Well, son, they made a good record and were given the honor of attending the great carnival, “Fontania.” In ’38 Fisk took Oberson’s place as chief pilot, and the ship took off for a still longer flight to Junior Island. Ten of the crew were taken into the National Honor Society. Their achievement is regarded as the highest attainment possible to a crew member. Only one more flight was needed to make the “thirty-niner” entitled to worldwide record. Pilot Gilchrist, who, you remember, was a co-pilot in the trial flight, was chosen to guide the plane in its final flight to Senior Island. Many were the obstacles, but victorious was the crew. Hostess Quigley was given the D.A.R. good fellowship award. Bryant was the editor- in-chief of the ship’s Annual, and Dunn and Conner kept the crew and the rest of world post- ed by means of the ship's paper, the Whirlwind. The ship was well represented in athletic competition with Gilchrist, Neuman, Smelser, and Patapoff outstanding in football, and B. McKechnie, Saylor, and Ewing taking the honors in basketball. The baseball forces were led by Erb, R. McKechnie, and Roberts. In track, Wicks and Morrison upheld the prestige of the seniors. The flight was made, and the record won. Well, son, if you come around tomorrow night, I’ll tell you what became of the crew in later years. Some of them did great things for the world as you will see. (ID Wj