The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-15
D airing Ace Swoops
Down to First Ma
tional Bank Flagstaff.
STARTLING STUNT
Victory Loan Boosters
A m axe Thousands
Who Gather in Street
and on House Top.

Circling In battle formation
and Stimulating as near as pos
sfble conditions on the front,
the flying circus OF British,
Italian and American aces gave
Rfchmonders a rare exhibition
of flying yesterday afternoon, as
they bombed the city from
end to end with thousands OF.
the little Victory Loan dodgers.
Owing to the smashing of several
OF the outfits planes in Balu-
more on Saturday. and the ad-
verse conditions OF the landing
field here, the performance was
not as long as was planned, but
the aviators made the most of
their short time in the air, and
treated the spectators with some
thrilling and hair raising stunts.
To show how the principal
streets of the city could be raked
with machine-gun fire and the
Skyscrapers bombed one daring
Skyscrapers bombed. One daring
bird ~man swept so low to the
ground near Tenth and Main
streets that the wondering
spectators could almost feel
the wind from his plane
PLAINLY SEEN
EdN4Ty IG&tAtS "a kAAG Asa&tAAttN @AFNs
it's pilot could be plainly seen. He
circled twice around the First
National hank building, his wings
barely brushing the tall flag pole.
II the aviator had been Hun
throwing real bombs instead of loan
literature. it was readily demon
strated how much OF downtown
Richmond would have been left
standing.
The seven planes, including two
Italian scout machines and one Ger
man fokker, which WAS delivered 10
The allies after the signing of the ar
nistice, took off about 9 80 O'Clock
from .thc Bellwood Farm Major
Miller, who is in command OF the
air squadron. was in the lead fol-
lowed By the other planes at short
intervals After showing how the
allied squadrons went out In search
nf Huns over the trenches OF France,
Major Miller led his charges back to
Bellwood field. where all made safe
landings.
The aviation exhibit created great
interest in the city. business being
practically suspended while II was
going on Many persons who missed
seeing the planes waited several
hours in the capital square in the
committee said that it was unfor-
tunate that they sho0fd be disap-
pointed, but owing to the unsettled
arrangements, no announcement
could be made beforehand of the
saact time the performance would be
held.
supper was served al the Jefferson
hotel shortly after 6 o'clock, and
there was a dance given the aviation
officers last night at the Country
Club OF Virginia, at which there was
L large attendance During the af-
sernoon the mechanics worked tear
Ing down the machines and packing
them in the express cars. and late
last night the special left for Raleigh
N. c., where a show will be given
today.
The circus will continue South, AND
at Charleston there will be the pre-
pentation of medals to several ofiicers
On the field at Bellwocd, sand
wiches. pie and cake, fruit and soffee
was served the men just before ths
machines took off for the flight
This was done by The Victory loar
committee and the knights o.
Columbus. under .the direction o.
The circus was composed of members
Of the Bearcat Squadron, which ws'
formed recently at Hazcihurst field
Mineola. for Liberty loan work
One of the two Italian comba
machines In this country--both hand
made was In the circus yesterday
having brought down from Washing
ton during the morning by IAeutenan
Albert Cantoni. Seven machines II
all arrived during the morning from
Washington. five cross countr,
rather than being hauled on tn,
train. Ten machines were to hay,
started but trouble developed. Al
the planes left Richmond last nigh
by rail