Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-10-08
THE AEROPLANE FLICHTS


Vernon county was indeed favored
in the superb flights staged by Lieu
tenant David Gladish in the Curtis
plane owned by Mrs. II. L. Potter of
Madison. Two exhibition flights were
given each day and the crowd was
treated to the Dutch rool, loop-th-loop,
spirals and nose dives that were most
thrilling. Several times he played
hide and seek behind the clouds, and
then would descend in terrifying nose
dives close to the ground, jumping
over the fair buildings and wheeling
like great dragon fly above the
awe-struck throng.
Lieutenant Gladish received his
training at Kelly Field, then instruct
ing at second field, and going to
two other fields where he gave cadets
their finishing touch in the flying
game. He is of the class of birdmen
which cost the government 100000
each to instruct.
Mrs. Potter is the first woman in
America to own a plane. Through
her connection with sports and her
work with the university boys during
the war, Mrs. Potter enjoys a wide
and favorable reputation. She is a
delightful woman to meet and con-
verse with.
Between exhibition flights, the plane
carried such passengers as could sum-
mon the necessary courage, part with
the required fee, and sign their names
to the paper releasing Mrs. Potter
from all consequences of accident.
Those who enjoyed the unique SEN
sation were: Miss Eta Butt, John
Smerud Clinton Nuzum, Palmer Over
land, Alfred and Peter Olson, Chas.
s. Slack, Robt. Liska, Douglas Nell
son, Homar Woman, Adolph Fort
ner, Harry Hanson, Ed. A. Schmidt,
Miss M. G. Fields, Gladys Helgeson,
Frank Waldron, Melvin Hanson Grant
l.. Theige. Scott Lake and o. l.. Blu
chanan.
The oldest passenger ever carried
in this plane, was Judge Reed of Os-
hkosh, who is 81 years old; the young
est a child of ten years. Mechanics
Lester N. Smith and Oscar Rasmus-
sen accompanied and cared for the
big bird. Landings and take-ups were
accomplished in Col. Butts field to
the east of the ground, which was
thronged with interested on lockers
at all times On Monday morning,
glistening in the bright sun, the plane
took the air in a graceful sweep, cir
cled over the town and headed home
for Madison.
The Plane
The plane has 90 horse power
Cat 1400 r. p. m.) Curtis four cycle
eight cylinder, water cooled motor,
with high tension magnetic, double
carbureter, force water feed and 80
pound pressure oil feed. 1t is two
seated and carries % gallons of gas
and three gallons Of oil. 1t has a
wing spread of AZ feet, fuselege of
about the same length of hickory
frame and painted linen. A very sens-
alive barometer denotes altitude of
the plane, and its movement is con-
trolled by horizontal and perpendicu-
lar rudders and hinged sections in
each wing-one rudder controlled by
the flyers feet, the other by advance
and retreat of the steering column,
and the wing sections by side move
ment Of the same. The wire struts
throughout are tested to $4,000 pounds
breaking strength; the wings lift
ing power of about eleven pounds per
square foot. The plane is capable of
better than one hundred fifty miles
per hour and must attain a speed of
40 to 80 miles in order to leave the
ground. 1t requires at least $50 feet
in which to stop. Total weight is
1850 pounds and it cost $4,000. Mrs.
Potter had one plane totally wrecked
in an accident a short time ago.