Los Angeles, August 29. - A 20 year old Kansas girl and her 17 year old chum will attempt to establish a new endurance flight record, when Lucille Wallingford, Kansas co-ed, and Peggy Paxson, Los Angeles, will take the air in a Mono Coach within 30 days at the Lincoln Airline field.A Wright J-5 225 horsepower motor will be used in the craft, in which the two girls hope to better the present two week endurance record. Plans are now being completed for refueling and other service which the plane will need.
Miss Wallingford received flying instructions in Kansas and is licensed as a private flier here. She won her license last May after training with Lieutenant Commander Clancy Fernander.
Miss Wallingford is the daughter of Mark A. Wallingford of Ashland, Kan., who sued C. E. Abel, Ashland rancher for $95, 000 damages in an alienation of affection suit. It is reported that Wallingford and his former wife, Mrs. Lilly Brown Wallingford have become reconciled following the withdrawal of the suit. - The Wichita Daily Beacon.
Also see:
Joe LA CHAPPELLE
"Fatal Airplane Accident", The Western Star, August 28, 1925.Francis Joseph ASHCRAFT
"Francis Ashcraft Killed In Aviation Accident", The Protection Post, February 23, 1928.John W. ASHCRAFT, Jr.
"NOTED PROTECTION AVIATOR KILLED AT ROOSEVELT FIELD, NEW YORK", The Protection Post, July 4, 1929,Charter Members of The Ninety-Nines
Peggy Paxon was one of the charter members. The formation of the club is described as follows: "On November 2, 1929, twenty-six women gathered at Curtiss Airport, Valley Stream, New York. The weather wasn't favorable and most drove in or came by train. The first order of business was the selection of Neva Paris as temporary chairman, then the presentation of flowers to Viola Gentry, who was recovering from a crash following an endurance record attempt. The women conducted their business in a hangar above the din of a Curtiss Challenger engine running up as the work of the mechanics proceeded around them. Tea was served from a tool box wagon on wheels." Viola Gentry was the passenger of Big Jack Ashcraft on an endurance flight when they crashed and he was killed; she was recovering from that crash when the "Ninety-Nines" organization was formed.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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