The Society of Air Racing Historians is gearing up to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the post-World War II National Air Races.
The society’s 22nd Annual International Symposium of Air Racing History is slated for May 5-7 in Brook Park, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, where the races were held from 1946-1949.
“The society has gone to great lengths to assemble the legends of air racing from the great post-war Cleveland era,” said Don Berliner, president.
Slated to appear at the Gathering of Air Racing Legends are Cook Cleland, Thompson Trophy winner (1947 and 1949); Dick Becker, Super Corsair pilot and teammate of Cleland; Ron Puckett, Super Corsair pilot; Gen. Robin Olds (ret.), fighter ace and 1946 Thompson (jet) race participant; Bill Lear Jr., Bendix Trophy pilot (1946 and 1947); Bill Brennand, winner of the 1947 and 1949 Goodyear Trophy Races; and Dori Marland, participant in the all-women’s Halle Trophy Race (1947).
The 1946 National Air Races ushered in the post-war era of air racing, where surplus military fighters dominated the cross-country Bendix and closed-course Thompson Trophy races. The National Air Races were held during Labor Day weekend untl 1949. The 1950 event was cancelled because of the Korean War.
For more information: AirRace.com or write The Society of Air Racing Historians, 168 Marian Lane, Berea, Ohio, 44017.