San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-10-06
|KELLYF[|ERS
IDEL|GHT VETS
| BYEXH|B|T|0N
Former Soldiers Thrilled
by Aerial Ma
neuverS.
THIRTY PLANES In AIR
*
Parachute Jump and Bub-
BE Chasing In
terests.
THIRTY PLANES In AIR

sAlthough small IN comparison tol
cher aerial exhibitions at Kelly Field.
IL one Friday afternoon as a feature
|ok the entertainment for Confederate
veterans was one of the most unique
erer held. approximately 80 planes
Of different types took the air, most
Of which were flown by students of
the Advanced Flying School.
In spite of the fact the exhibition
was small in size. it did not lack in
novelty, and the events of the after
moon included everything that all other
exhibitions have shown, from straight
Aying to bubble chasing" and para
chute jumping.
The Kelly Field band occupied the
kfand stand while seats were arranged
II the open for the spectators. For
most Of the veterans, however, it was
toe exciting an affair for them TO sit
dewn, and they stood up throughout
the demonstration, edging as far on 10
the flying field as the soldiers would
1t them.
Every Courtesy for Veterans.
The only thing during the entire
performance that drew the veterans
attention from the airplanes was the
Kelly Field band, under the direction
Of Louis Witt. When the tunes of
Dixie were struck up the boys in
yfSyr let out a yell that momentarily
superseded the roar of airplane mo-
tors overhead. The small matter of a
floor made no difference to several of
Them. and some of the women. and
they danced around until the music
etopped, much TO their own amuse-
mint and the younger spectators also.
Those to whom an aerial exhibition
IS! no novelty were entertained in see
ing how the former soldiers enjoyed
its The utmost respect and courtesies
were shown the visitors by the person
M Of Kelly Field. including officers
and men. They all entered into the
spirit of the day, and the soldiers
showed themselves more than willing
to- point out to the old Confederates
the different types OF airplanes and
explain their special uses.
The bombing Of a target by a for
nation Of DeHaviland planes was one
OF the most interesting events. After
the house had been riddled with ma
chine gun fire one ship dove dow
oyer 1t and released 100-poun1
bomb. The explosion was terrific, and
when the smoke and dust had cleared
aYav there was no more house on tine
field. The direct hit brought forth ex-
cI6mations of praise Of the marksman-
shin Of the American aviator.
g'Pretty good shootin',' w. w
Glover Of Dallas remarked. I'VE new
er had nothin' like that but / believe
iflI had my ole Endfield rifle / could
save come mighty nigh putin hole
an that house myself"
Cheer Daring F1iers.
The flying of the pursuit planes.
MB-3s and Spads also drew the in
tefest of everyone on the field. The
third and fourth events Of the dem
o1stratien was an aerial combat be-
tween. two pursuit planes and a com.
bat between two pursuit planes and
Martin bomber. The way the smaller
slips twisted and turned in the air
was n thrilling sight to those who
never knew anything but ground fight
i1k.
Just as one Of the speedy MBs made
q wide loop and dove straight for the
ground, one of the old timers remarked
that he would not mind turning over
THAT way if he had a tank Of water
big enough 10 do it in.
-Four planes. all MB-3s, engaged in
n bubble chasing game which is ex-
ceptionally interesting for the spee'l
with which they flew and the close
mess they came to the crowd. As small
sounding balloons were released from
one side Of the field one of the pur-
! suit ships, at the rate Of 160 miles an
hour, would start after it, the pilot
trying to catch it in the propeller of
/, hn plane. Fully dozen of the small
balloons were released and only one
managed 10 evade the straight flying
bf the daring aviators. who would dive
down as soon as one was released,
and barely clear the heads of the
spectators as they shot at their target
The filters could not hear it. but each
time pilot succeeded in catching one
Of the balloons in his propeller loud
cheer went up from the crowd below
t'Eooks like hummin' bird chasin
h fnlosquito." one of the old veterans
remarked.
Parachute Jump a Feature.
The parachute jump by Sergean
Bottrel from an altitude of abou
5000 feet was a fitting climax for al
afternoon of exciting events for til,
gray-clad veterans. Bottrel recognized
to. be one Of the best parachute jump
ers in the world, gracefully crawlet
from the rear cockpit of the plane il
which he was flying. stood on on
wing and released his parachute, let
ting it pull him from the ship. TIL
parachute settled about the middle o
the flying field.
The first event of the day was ;
straight aerial review in which De
Havilands. MB-3 and Spad pursul
ships. a Sperry passenger plane, Mar
rin bombers and a GAX triplan
participated. In another part of tn
field planes of each kind were on ex
hibition so that the visitors could vieV
tiiPm at close range.
THE flying exhibition Friday after
NOON was in charge of Lieut.. 10th
Smith.
The veterans were taken TO Keli
Field and brought back to the cit
By cars that were volunteered by cit
zens. The caravan left from the Cur