Aviation Pioneer
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OX5 NEWS VOLUME 52 - NUMBER 4 August 2010 Published by and for the Members of the OX5 Aviation Pioneers Celebrating 55 years WEB-SITE www.ox5news.com 1955-2010 Aviation Pioneer - Pancho Barnes Pancho Barnes (1901 - 1975) is considered by Pancho’s membership in the National Aeronautics many to be one of the 20th century’s greatest Association was signed by Orville Wright and American characters. During her lifetime, her pilot’s license was number 3522. Her passion Pancho (born Florence Leontine Lowe) was for aviation took off , and she ran an ad-hoc reknowned for her individuality, outsized barnstorming show and competed in air races. personality, creativity, entrepreneurship, humor, Having acquired a reputation as a fearless fl ier, generosity and integrity. Pancho saw herself Barnes began working as a test pilot, conducting not just as a worldly spirit, but a fully liberated maximum load tests on Lockheed’s new Vega in woman, and a real original. Later she would say, 1929. “Th e most important thing is to be yourself. So Later that same year she participated in the fi rst don’t even try to be like anyone else, because we’ve seen it all-female cross-country air race, known as the “Powder already!” Th at philosophy might just sum up her whole life Puff Derby”. Twenty-three of the thirty-four registered Born into privilege in 1901 Pasadena, CA, Florence L. female pilots fl ew in the Derby, including the already- Lowe’s father was a millionaire sportsman, her mother a famous Amelia Earhart and Pancho’s good friend Bobbi blueblood Philadelphian. Th e person who most infl uenced Trout. While landing in Pecos, Texas, Pancho collided with young Florence, however, was her grandfather, Professor an automobile that darted across the runway, costing her Th addeus Lowe. A free-wheeling self promoter and the race and nearly destroying her airplane. audacious inventor, Lowe was also a loquacious visionary Despite the crash in the 1929 Women’s Air Derby, who managed to persuade Lincoln to launch a fl eet of Pancho returned in 1930 under the sponsorship of the surveillance balloons during the Civil War. His strong Union Oil Company to win the race – and break Amelia personality and his interest in aviation made a deep Earhart’s world women’s speed record. Pancho was impression on young Florence. determined to beat that record, and to do it she bought (for After a childhood full of mischief and rebellion, Florence a whopping $13,000) a Travel Air Model R “Mystery Ship.” was wedded to the highly respectable Reverend C. Rankin It was only the second Model R to come off the assembly Barnes. Escaping her unhappy marriage in 1927, Florence line, and owning it was a genuine coup. Barnes, however, Barnes embarked on a banana boat for what turned out was not one to take no for an answer, and prevailed in her to be a world-class adventure. In San Blas, Mexico, she attempts to buy one. Th e low-wing, snub-nosed monoplane jumped ship with a fellow crewmember and began to roam was just about the fastest thing on earth at that time, and the Mexican countryside with him. Th e trip changed on August 1, 1930, Barnes pushed it past 196 miles per Barne’s life. She disguised herself as a man, and lived like hour. She became the fastest woman on earth and fi rmly one much of the time. When she fi nally emerged from cemented her place in aviation history. south of the border, Florence had a new name to go along Many of Pancho’s friends fueled their aviation habits by with her liberated attitude: “Pancho”. Her companion had performing stunts for the movies. Barnes herself fl ew in jokingly called his pants-wearing, cigarette smoking, hard many fi lms. As the Great Depression dawned, and Barne’s riding female companion that for much of the trip, and it once-ample fi nancial assets declined, she became more stuck. From now on, Florence interested in making stunt piloting a career. Eventually she Lowe would be Pancho Barnes. organized the Association of Motion Picture Pilots, a fi rst- Having spent four months of-its-kind union to guarantee wage standards. Pancho was abroad, Pancho returned to San the group’s only female member. Pancho also co-founded, Marino and in the spring of with Bobbi Trout, a group known as the Woman’s Air 1928, while driving her cousin Reserves. While it might not have succeeded in its day, the Dean Banks to fl ying lessons, WAR paved the way for WWII’s Women’s Air Service decided immediately to learn Pilots (WASPs), who ferried combat aircraft from factories to fl y. Convincing her cousin’s to the front lines. (Continued on Page 9) fl ight instructor of her desire that Photos/information curtesy of www.panchbarnesfi lm.com same day, she soloed after just six hours of formal instruction. and www.panchobarnes.com PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE SECRETARY’S MESSAGE Next month, on September Awards nominations 25 at 2 p.m. members who have been received and are being will attend the 2010 reunion evaluated. Th ere was quite a bit in Dayton will hear the sound of last minute scurrying. If you of an OX5 engine. For the are thinking about a nomination majority of members this may for next year, you are encouraged be the fi rst time they will hear to begin early in the year. A little the almost century-old engine time to polish the paperwork can with its big propeller “singing improve the chance of success. its song” Th e engine we We are doing our best to follow will see and hear in Dayton the rules outlined by the OX5 belongs to Jim Beisner, long- Aviation Pioneers organization. Th e awards are an time OX5 engine re-builder and President of the important part of our reunion. Ohio Wing. Jim has conducted many useful seminars Marguerite Lawrence was a long time very active on the mechanics and workings of OX5 engines. OX5 member. EAA’s Chapter 88 annual July fl y-in Th is message will be my fi nal one as OX5 President. was dedicated to Marguerite. Th e program banquet Two years ago in Tullahoma, Tennessee en route was about Marguerite. Th ree EAA members, plus her to the Awards banquet I tripped, fell and fractured family, related interesting life history about her. As an cervical vertebrae #1 and #2. Yes, simply said, I EAA member, I was asked to relate her involvement “fell and broke my neck”. Th e fi rst year was pretty with and contributions to OX5. Th ere was a very good diffi cult. Th e National Secretary departed, leaving no turnout for the event. available membership rosters and little information on I was pleased to see the excellent write-up about income and expenditures. Walter and Olive Ann Beech, featured in the June OX5 But with the help of the National Governors NEWS. I felt honored to receive a special check and we managed OK. Th e second year was a better to shake hands with Mrs. Beech. Beech employees one. Harold Walter, who has long experience in felt a great deal of respect for her leadership. Th e result OX5 procedures, became National Secretary and was good coordination and support among employees the Cliff ord Ball Wing of western Pennsylvania in performing their tasks. I believe that my most reactivated and the business center of the OX5 successful contribution to Beech Aircraft was as Project returned to the State of its founding in 1955. In 2011 Aerodynamicist in the development of the Super King new challenges will aff ront our President, Secretary, Air Model 200, which has now been in production Treasurer, Governors, and assisting offi cers. I assure for 38 years. It is fl own by the four branches of the that their management of these challenges will be Military Service. One publication stated in a pilot’s completed justly and honestly. report that it was given the highest handling qualities rating that the magazine provided. George P. Vose, President Harold L. Walter, Secretary NOTICE ADDRESS CHANGES New Member Applications Address Changes and Dues A Newsletter that is forwarded to your new address costs the organization 50 cents. But if In every issue, usually on this page, (now on Page 3) is a list of offi cers and addresses. It is there so that there is no forwarding and it is returned - that you can send requests, memberships, dues, or make can be as much as $1.90. And it means your inquiries to the right person or address. PLEASE, name is taken off the list. Recently we have look at it. Th row out all your old addresses, and old had many of you with no forwarding address. forms!!! Th e offi cers are working very hard putting We would like to keep in touch with YOU. SO things back in order. Th ere is a NEW ADDRESS: HELP US! And PLEASE, PLEASE send us Send membership forms, change of address to, and pay your dues at: any changes - if not to save time here, then to save the organization money. THANKS. OX5 Aviation Pioneers Attn: Member Services PO Box 18533 Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0533 – 2 – LAST MAN STANDING OX5OX5 NEWSNEWS Published by-monthly by the OX5 AVIATION PIONEERS Th e fi fth of Old Crow display NON-PROFIT ORG, U. S. POSTAGE PAID, CHILLICOTHE, MO, PERMIT NO. 106 case was permanently mounted POSTMASTER: Send address changes to OX5 NEWS, at the Mid-West Florida Sylvia Cook, R.