Dear Photograph: "The Spirit of Flight"
Arthur Smith Memorial, circa 1928 & 2014
Sculptor: James S. Novelli
Stonework: J.G. Birkmeier & Sons
A pioneer in early aviation, Arthur Roy Smith, was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1890. His desire to fly led him to build his first aircraft by the age of 16 with the financial help of his parents mortgaging their home. The plane crashed and was destroyed on its first flight. His many attempts earned him the nickname, "The Smashup Kid."
Smith eventually became a celebrated stunt pilot, perfecting the night skywriting with flares. His feats amazed the world from America to Asia raising the bar for his fellow pilots and inspiring countless future aviators.
When America entered World War I, Smith found his height and previous injuries prevented him from flying in combat. His experience was put to use testing aircraft and training pilots for World War I.
After the war, he worked for the United States Post Office flying between New York and Chicago. It was during an overnight delivery run in 1926 that he went off course and was killed in crash near Montpelier, Ohio--just weeks before his 36th birthday.
In honor of their "bird boy," the citizens of Fort Wayne had an approximately 33' tall monument dedicated to Art Smith in Memorial Park in August 1928. At a cost of $40,000, it is one of the city's finest pieces.
(B/W photograph courtesy of the Allen County Public Library)
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A cool video of Art Smith night flying at The Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915. His bit in the clip starts at the 2:00 mark.
wn.com/art_smith_and_the_panama-pacific_international_exp...
Dear Photograph: "The Spirit of Flight"
Arthur Smith Memorial, circa 1928 & 2014
Sculptor: James S. Novelli
Stonework: J.G. Birkmeier & Sons
A pioneer in early aviation, Arthur Roy Smith, was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1890. His desire to fly led him to build his first aircraft by the age of 16 with the financial help of his parents mortgaging their home. The plane crashed and was destroyed on its first flight. His many attempts earned him the nickname, "The Smashup Kid."
Smith eventually became a celebrated stunt pilot, perfecting the night skywriting with flares. His feats amazed the world from America to Asia raising the bar for his fellow pilots and inspiring countless future aviators.
When America entered World War I, Smith found his height and previous injuries prevented him from flying in combat. His experience was put to use testing aircraft and training pilots for World War I.
After the war, he worked for the United States Post Office flying between New York and Chicago. It was during an overnight delivery run in 1926 that he went off course and was killed in crash near Montpelier, Ohio--just weeks before his 36th birthday.
In honor of their "bird boy," the citizens of Fort Wayne had an approximately 33' tall monument dedicated to Art Smith in Memorial Park in August 1928. At a cost of $40,000, it is one of the city's finest pieces.
(B/W photograph courtesy of the Allen County Public Library)
***************************************************************************
A cool video of Art Smith night flying at The Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915. His bit in the clip starts at the 2:00 mark.
wn.com/art_smith_and_the_panama-pacific_international_exp...