New Britain herald., 1925-09-28
Governor Trumbull and Others Say New Britain Should Have Area for ,Airplane Landing.

Although two men were injured one plane smashed and one or tp c others slightly disabled in minor mishaps which occurred Saturday and Sunday at the aviation meet in thIs city, city and state officials, na- uonol guard officers and air experts are of the opinion that the success of the meet will go long way to- wards an agitation which will eyen- tually bring landing field to New Britain.
 Statements to this effect were made by Councilman pavii L. Nair, chairman of the common council committee on aviation. and Governor John II. Trumbull, who publicl, thanked the officials of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the ayiators on the committee and told thousands Of New Britain people, speaking through loud speaking apparatus with which the field was equipped. that the accident Saturday after noon, in which Lieutenant Hubert Johnson and his mechanic narrowly escaped serious injury in crash. would not have happened had New Britain had an adequate air field.
 Probably 5000 people witnessed the meet from the field south of the city Saturday and an equal. if not larger number, Sunday. A large humber of National Guard officials were present on both occasions. The meet started Saturday after noon, the first plane to land on the field being that owned and pilotcd | by Charles Wright. a member of the committee, which carried as pas sengers from Hartford, Harry C. Jackson of this city, state comman- der of the American Legion, and Cornelius Brady also of New Britain.
 Other planes which arrived in- cluded one pilotcd by LeRoy Thomp- son for the Colonial Air Lines of Bethany. and a Sikorsky plane from Long Island. There were Curtiss planes J-N 4. better known as "Jen- nies," Orioles and DeHavilands. | Governor In New Plane
 The contest started shortly before , o'clock with a demonstration Of formation flying and military man euvers, with Major Talbot o. Free man, commander of the 118th ob- scrvation, in command. Major Free man piloted Governor Trumbull's S new plane and had the latter on board as a passenger.
 In the first event Saturday, that of landing to q mark. each plane contesting had three chances and prizes were awarded on the best aV- craze. The official scorer was State Police Inspector of Airplanes George Prenaitis who claims to be the "only aerial traffic cop in existence" Lieutenant Earl w, Fleet of the l1Sth observation squadron won the first prize, with the following scores: 3G-32-o, average 22 2-3. The figures l indicate the distance he came from the mark.
 1 Lckoy Thompson of the Coloniai Air lines won second prize with score of 1l0-15-12 +, averaging 45 o-S. Lieutenant Car A. DIXon Of the 1tSth observation squadron and New Britain nier, won third prize with q score of 54-5-l50, averaging G6 o-3. Five planes competed in this contest.
 In thc~ army speed races, four planes competed. The distance rac- cd was said 10 approximate six miles. Captain William Ladd was first to arrive, making the trip in five minutes and 48 seconds; Lieu tenant Hubert Johnson made 1t in five minutes and 55 seconds and Lieutenant Earl w. Fleet came in in six minutes and four seconds. Major Freeman, flying the governors plane. took six minutes and 12 seconds.
 The course was from the field 10 Berlin depot, circling around inc hrjckyard chimney east of the fold and the Children Home coming hack. making the circuit three times per trip.
 In the bombing contest the first prize was won by Lieutenant Hubert Johnson. landing three bombs within distances of 50, 9S and l6 feet of target and winning by all average acore of 3I. Lieutenant Fleet won second prize with a score of loo-lhp- 4n, averaging SS. William Thomas, 3 civilian nier of Hartford, Ton third rrize with score of 10o-l00-55. averaging S5.
 Plane Is Wrecked
 If wns immediately following this demonstration, when he attempted to land that Iieutcnant Johnson, with Ragnor Hansen. another aviator in the plane with him, came 10 grlet E,rausc of the smallness of the field. fl was necessary for planes to take less room in landing than ordinarily, and in slowing up on turn, John sons plane side slipped, one wing struck tha ground, and he did a nose dive into the field
 Johnson received slight cut on the mouth and suffered for some time from shock. Hansen Nas unin- iurcd. The wings, wheels and pro pelIcr of the plane were demolished Prompt work by local pilots, local militia in command of Captain F. Y. punne and state police saved the damaged plane from being raided by sou, ertr hunters who attempted rush for the scene of the accident
 He Made I'm Gasp
 Probably the most thrilling eH- hibtions of the afternoon were the stunt exhibition hy Lieutenant Fleet and the wing walking exhibition by Charles Arnold. The stunting eXhi- hi'ion hy Lieutenant Fleet was in IN rianc. He climbed 10 height or almost mile and from that point started down, doing loops Tmmclman turns. barrel rolls, nose dives. wing overs, and other mani fcytations of dextrous handing. Upon landing hc was greeted with rounds of applause by the crowd.
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