This day in Aviation History - May 29, 1929

Here's a short memory from the past to ponder this day, May 29, 2014.  Today is the 85th anniversary of the Gardner Trophy Air Race finals - May 29, 1929. 

What a day it would have been on that "Memorial Day" to see the sights and sounds of these interesting Air Race planes and to talk with the colorful people who made this day happen.

"Speed" Holman talks with mechanic "Doc" Kincaid

Read all about the Gardner Trophy Air Races here

Part 1

Part 2 

Scrapbook Bonus Pages

Travel Air Pilot, Sydnor Hall

Holman's Laird

John P. Wood in his highly modified Waco Clipped/Taperwing

R.S. LeRoy in his Axelson Powered Cessna AF

Earl Rowland who raced the Cessna CM-1

Cessna DC-6A (Curtiss R-600 Engine) flown by Stanley T. Stanton

Art Davis' Taperwing Waco

J.P. Wood's Clipped Taperwing Waco

SOME MORE TIDBITS of information regarding the Indianapolis connection during the Gardner Race were found in

Indianapolis Times, Volume 41, Number 15, Indianapolis, 29 May 1929

May 27 -- Race Planes Pass Here Several airplanes which will participate in the St. Louis air races Memorial day passed through Indianapolis Tuesday', en route to St. Louis, most, of them stopping at the Mars Hill airport. The planes will race from St. Louis to Indianapolis and return, circling the speedway, where two captive balloons will serve as markers. H. Weir Cook, Curtiss Flying Service of Indiana general manager, will be Indianapolis referee. 

 Huge Plane to Offer Rides A opportunity to ride in a huge tri-motorea Ford monoplane will be offered Indianapolis citizens Thursday by Curtiss Flying Service of Indiana. H. "Weir Cook, general manager, said C. S. < Casey t Jones. Curtiss official, will fly the big plane here Wednesday evening. Passengers will be taken for rides around the Speedway during the race. The ship has a capacity of twelve passengers and two pilots. Plane Lavishly Fitted A handsome red six-place Travel Air cabin monoplane, on exhibition at Hoosier airport this week, has attracted much favorable attention. The plane was brought here for the air show week, and Sunday will be delivered to the Aviation Country Club of New York, which c’aims to be the wealthiest flying club in the world. The club has purchased six of the planes, each as complete and as richly appointed as the one displayed here. Each is fitted out with a miniature lavatory for cross-coun-try flying. Muncie Men Buy Planes Harry White and Fred Werts. Muncie, flew to Hoosier airport Tuesday in a Travel Air biplane and signed up to buy two more Travel I Airs from Hoosier,

 Rogers, noted humorist, will arrive in Indianapolis from New York over the Pennsylvania railroad at 8:05 a. m. Sunday to board the Transcontinental Air Transport trimotored Ford monoplane which is to make a test run of the route. Rogers will be rushed to the plane at the Mars Hill airport and will join in a group of other distinguished guests of T. A. T.. according to a letter received today by H. Weir Cook, general manager of Curtiss Flying Service of Indiana, from J. V. Magee. St. Louis. T. A. T. vice-president. The plane will leave Indianapolis for St. Louis about 9 a. m.. Cook said Aviation Sessions Near End Bu In it'd Prr ** ST. LOUIS.

 May 29.—Final sessions in the third annual aeronautics meeting of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers were scheduled for today to clear the way for the Gardner race trophy events at East St. Louis. 111., Thursday. The meeting closes tonight with a banquet at which twelve persons will receive gold watches for their efforts in the promotion of aviation.