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

Page 14 text:

speed, wavered a moment, one-hundred feet from the ground, and then fell into second place as it rejoined the other planes which had made much sharper turns but at reduced speeds. In the midst of the mechanics, Little john really looked scared as he saw this dangerous maneuver on the part of his pilot, and he quietly slumped down into his seat as the plane again tore out toward the second pylon at the west end of the field. At this time, the group of mechanics burst into a really serious discussion of the possibilities of the race, planes and pilots. Almost immediately a blunt fellow called XXfindy queried, Say johnny, whats wrong with Thomas? He never even cut the throttle on that turn. May gain a little distance that way, but he'll probably end up in the boneyard if he does it againf, And so it was that almost everyone was puzzled at the strange tactics of Captain Thomas. lt was known as a fact that to take a turn, in a tricky army pursuit plane, at well over two hundred miles an hour was almost certain to result in a side-slip, which is really deadly at a hundred foot altitude. Strangely enough, every pilot had throttled down just before making the turn. Except Captain Thomas. Those who knew the cautious Captain Thomas could not understand his queer action and to question his mechanic Little John brought no further solution to this controversy. Little john now appeared to be sick. He was breathing heavily and chewing and pufhng nervously at his cigarette as he watched the dim outlines or the planes on the horizon. His fellow mechanics felt lze had good cause to feel sick. As is the custom of both pilots and mechanics, each mechanic in the hangar was fondling his good-luck piece during these exciting and trying moments. Since each mechanic had done his utmost to have his oflicer win the race, they now resorted to supernatural powers. Little johnu was no exception, for in his strong right fist was held some such lucky-piece. Meanwhile, X5Vindy had secured a powerful pair of field glasses and with the glasses trained on the planes on the horizon was letting out short excited cries to his anxious audience. l'Nearin, the west pylon now. Keller's around. There goes Captain Thomas. Takin' it wide. Didn't cut the throttle at all, darn fool. 'S fallin' in again. Lven with Keller nowfl

Page 13 text:

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

Page 15 text:

Little johnl' clenched his fist tighter around his lucky-piece and opened his eyes which he had shut during this seemingly painful but favorable announcement. Again, Windy', at the binoculars was announcing the latest developments. l'Keller an, Thomas nearin' the pylon together. Say, 'joimyr that fool pilot of yours, Thomas, had better quit his maneuvering and cut the throttle this time. ,Tain't human to take every turn at that speed and live to tell about itf' All the pent-up feeling which had made Little Iohni' act queerly all morning, broke forth, as he jumped up in a terrible rage crying, 'iShut up, can't yalu Vfith that, Little john started out of the hangar under the wondering stare of the group. In a lowered voice 'lWindy', con- tinued, 'lKeller and Thomas takin, the pylon together. Thomas goin' wide. 'Little johnv paused to listen. 'lThomas made it again, he's in line now ahead of Keller, came the reassuring voice. . Thomas' leadin' down the home stretch. It's those fool turns of his. He won't throttle 'er down. Here they comef' Wfith that, the planes came thundering into clear view, throttles wide open, and each one keeping its same distance in the long string of planes. A moment later, Thomas, with Keller on his tail, swept past the last pylon amidst the thunderous applause of the excited spectators. As he stood in the doorway of the hangar, l'Little johns face broke into a broad smile, and he seemed to lose all his cares and the anger of a moment before. Little john having apologized to his friends for his strange actions, Windy', ventured to ask, Hjohnny, what kind of a lucky piece have you got? We'll have to get the same kind, huh Fellas?,' Righto, they all joined in, Let's see it! Little johnn appeared to be taken unawares and was clearly puzzled as to what to do. Finally, making up his mind, he declared, Half my luck was the skill of Captain Thomas. Here's the other half V' He opened his clenched fist, and, as a small spring fell to the floor of the hangar, they recognized the true meaning of his statement and actions. There on the floor was the small spring without which an airplane throttle cannot be closed, once having been opened. 1 1 If 1 7i1., ,,i L