John Adams High School - Clipper Yearbook (Ozone Park, NY)

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Spring Wit By Eugene Werber 1 1 1 ANG! The sharp crack vi Luc starters gun was lllblafltly drowned out by the tfCfI1CI1clOuS roar of twelve super-charged engines of the dozen sleek army Boeing P-26 pursuit planes, which a moment before had been compara- tively sweetly purring as they toed the thick chalk-white line, wing to wing. The very earth trembled at this display of the latest toy of Mars, as twelve thundering and roaring messengers of war tore across the velvet-like grass field, rose in one motion, and disappeared into the glare of the mid-day sun. Similar scenes were but a matter of routine, repeated daily, during the years of 1915 to 1918. But this was the year of 1955. These planes did not set out in search of combat with the planes of the enemy. These modern planes and pilots were this day to test their respective merits in peaceful competition with each other and not with a real enemy. This was the day of the Mitchell Trophy air races, the only event in which army planes, piloted by army aviators, are permitted to race in competition with each Other. The huge grandstands at the sides of the field were greatly overcrowded, for here was being presented a contest of skill such as the sporting public always wants but so seldom gets. The conditions of this contest are such that luck plays the smallest possible part in the outcome of the events. Each pilot entered in the race is an officer of the army air ranks located throughout the different sections of the country. Likewise, each plane in any one contest is horsepower for horsepower and strut for strut, the same as each of the other planes entered in the race. It is, therefore, only by skillful maneuvering and superior flying tactics that any pilot can zoom twice around the three pylons of this thirty mile triangular course and outdistance planes of equal power. Six lg , 4

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A Message from the Skipper Q FEW brief weeks will bring to a close your school days here at john Adams. I am sure that you will End the thought of Com- mencement and what lies beyond, attractive in its challenge. You are naturally impatient to enter into the world of affairs or to go on to institutions of higher studies. Despite polite phrases of regret as you take your leave, you are properly elated as you approach the goal of your hopes for the last four years. Whatever the difficulties you have had to face, however uninviting the prospect may appear in the future, graduation itself will be an occasion of rejoicing and congratulation. I should like to add my voice to those that hail the happy completion of your high school studies and to extend my hand to wish you Godspeed upon your journey through life. In a school numbering its stu- dents by the thousands and its graduates by the hun- dreds, it has not been possible for me to come to know personally as many of you as I should like. Mine has been in great part an unseen and impersonal in- fluence upon your training in these formative years, but I trust that it has been real enough to warrant my claiming the proud title of friend. It is as a friend that I utter my fondest wish for your success and true happiness. I earnestly hope that you will keep unspoiled your priceless possession, the gift of generous idealism that is the heritage of youth.'May it grow ever stronger with the years for your own happiness and the advancement of the common welfare! WILLIAM A. CLARKE, Primipal kQ.., ., .

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However, a force having considerable bearing on the outcome of these races was the group of insignificant-appearing men, clad in grease-smeared, torn and dirty overalls, who at this time sat or stood haphazardly in the shade of the huge doorway of an empty hangar at the side of the field. These mechanics had come with their officers from the many army airports of the country to repre- sent their respective air units. As in the case of their commanding officers, they felt that the very honor of their units was dependent upon their showing in the air races. Therefore, each day and often at night, these typical grease monkeys had applied all their knowl- edge of mechanics in making the planes of their officers technically perfect. It was these excited men, who were nervously puffing at innumerable cigarettes, with their eyes glued on the planes as they streaked across the sky seemingly straight for their hangar. As the planes neared, the men rose in one motion. Anxiously, they sought the identity of the leader. It was not until they had almost swept overhead that one happy voice cried, Captain Keller's leadin' 'emf' Almost simultaneously was heard, Good boy, Murphy is second, and There's Thomas right on his tailf' The latter was uttered in the strangely anxious voice of Little john who had come up from Bolling Field with Captain Thomas. Well over six feet, and by far the most powerful man of the group of mechanics, Little john had been extremely nervous all that morning. Ever since he had arrived at the field Little Johnl' had time and time again gone over every mechanical detail of Captain Thomas' plane. He was truly satisfied in that he had done his part and done it well. However, although he always outwardly bragged that his plane would win, he really was extremely doubt- ful, for he knew the man who was piloting his plane. I-Ie truly respected and honored Captain Thomas and knew him to be one of the finest aviators in the Pursuit Division. But, still Little Johnl' did not think Captain Thomas was the right man to represent his unit in an air race. And Little johns, assump- tions were not unfounded. Captain Thomas had all the character- istics of a great flyer: stamina, nerves of steel, and a clear head. But, although Thomas was fearless, he was also unusually careful, never having been known to take an unnecessary chance. In an air race Little john knew that a flyer had to take risks in going through trick maneuvers. One could not be too careful and win! f 4' f Q, 1 .fnwf 'ZZ a at, fr WWW .7 X ' 4.2 f Little john was indeed excited when, at the half of the race, Captain Thomas was in third place. The spectators burst into applause as the planes swept around the pylon before the stands. lf' Suddenly shouts stopped and then began with renewed vigor, as C the third plane tore around the pylon in a wide arc, at a terrific I f-i C fff Ti . 2 . 'Qvxe K X Al A !! S ezfefz I f 'X f f ff via! Wo , ,ff X I