The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-29
FIGHTING SHIPS
FIRST ON line
AT AIR RACES
Cleveland GazeS Skyward
as Hundreds of Planes
Swoop on City.
BRITISH ACE IN CRASH
AtCherIey Wrecks Craft in
Tests for Featured
Stunt Acts.
BRITISH ACE IN CRASH
BY LEO BARON
United Press STAFF Correspondent

CLEVELAND, Aug. 29.-The
drone Of airplanes streaking through
the early morning skies today
sounded an overture to the aerial
composition that will be written
during the next ten days of the
national air races.
Around the boundaries of Cleve-
land alrport-largest commercial
landing field in the world-were
rows of trim fighting craft from the
army, navy and marine fleets, lying
snugly at anchor. @.
Their numbers were being in
creased steadily as other planes
dropped from the skies, singly and
in groups, to rest beside them wait
ing for the signal that will send
them aloft for the opening maneu-
vers this afternoon.
The aerial pageant, described by
its sponsors as the greatest ever
prepared, has attracted many of the
worlds renowned fliers. From Eur
ope came Captain Boleslaw Orlinski
of Poland, Flight Commander Rich
ard l.. r. Atcherley of England,
Lieutenant Colonel Mario De Ber-
nardi of italy, Captain Ernst Udet
of Germany and Major Alois Kubita
of Czecho-Slovakia.
AtcherIey Is Injured
Americas representatives will in
clude such familiar personages as
Lieutenant AL Williams, Jimmy
Doolittle, Captain Frank Hawks,
Wiley Post, Harold Gatty, Russell
Boardman and John Polando.
The opening ceremony was some
what married by the absence of
Atcherley, the British ace, who
suffered injuries late Friday when
his fleet scout plane cracked up
during a landing. In taking off for
a test flight, a strut on the land
ing gear snapped, throwing the
plane over on its nose as it settled
down for the landing.
Fourteen stitches were required
to close the deep cash over the
pilots eye and forehead but at
tending physicians said the wound
was not serious.
The plane, a Blackburn Lincokck
single-seater of British design, vir-
tually was wrecked and can not be
mended in time for its scheduled
performance as member OF the
international team, commanded by
Williams.
Promise Another Ship
Race officials, however, promised
Atcherly another ship should he re-
cover from his injuries in time.
Airport officials and police were
prepared to handle 100000 Specta-
tors at the opening performance this
afternoon of the eleventh annual
classic which will be repeated IN
Cleveland for the next four years.
Following the Plain Dealer flower
pageant parade, which terminates
at the airport, nearly 100 army, navy
and marine planes will scurry sky
ward for tactical maneuvers and a
bid in traditional rivalry for the
gallerys acclaim.
The army's winged division was
represented by its crack f1rSt pursuit
group from Selfridge field, Michigan.
The navy sent its famed Schiff tro-
ply winners, the Striking Eagles, !"
from Hampton Roads, Va, and the
marines colors we're borne by a
crack squadron from Quantico.
Derbyites to Arrive
Only two competitive events were
scheduled for the day-a civilian &C
robatic exhibition and parachute
jumping contest.
The second day 0f the races has
been designated all-Ohio day and
will be featured by the arrival of
the transcon6nental handicap derby
which has been in progress a week,
starting from Santa Monica, Cal.
On Monday, eight fliers will soar
away from Los Angeles for Cleve-
land In the Bendix trophy speed
dash. Fifteen thousand dollars re-
pose at the finish line for the win
ner Of this event, which may be
made nonstop or with fuel halts
along the route.