AERONAUTICS: On to Cleveland

From six points on the rim of the U. S., also from Canada, hurried flyers to the air races and show at Cleveland this week. Most conspicuous was the Women’s Air Derby from Santa Monica, Cal. After considerable squabbling (TIME, June 24), 19 women set out, including Marvel Crosson, Ruth Nichols, Ruth Elder, Amelia Earhart, Louise McPhetridge Thaden, Phoebe Omlie, Thea Rasche. The second day out Miss Crosson crashed fatally. Others had accidents, which they attributed to sabotage (not confirmed by investigators) or got lost. Thirteen ended the race, Ruth Nichols cracking up only 130 miles from the Cleveland airport. The Department of Commerce tried to evict Miss Rasche en route because her license had expired. She continued. Winner was Mrs. Thaden, with a Travel Air in 20½ hrs. flying time. Winner in the light plane division was Mrs. Omlie, with a Monocoupeaon in 25 hrs.

The Cleveland gathering provided a great carrousel and carousal for flyers and planes. As the affair started 45 plane manufacturers, 16 enginemakers, 146 accessory firms had exhibits in Cleveland’s public auditorium and annex. The municipal airport was bedecked with new buildings, grandstands and wire fences. A street parade of floats inaugurated the festivities. Army, Navy and Marine planes performed over the city. Detroit’s new all-metal dirigible made a visit. Commercial planes capered in from all directions. Almost every famed U. S. flyer was there, almost every important air industrialist.