The Early Days of Aviation in Grand Rapids

by Gordon G. Beld

Overview

Perch next to the first man to fly over Grand Rapids and share the spine-tingling thrills of wing-walker Ormer Locklear. Learn how barnstormer "Fish" Hassell led locals to the sky from the shores of Reeds Lake and paved the way for a new air route to Europe. Be there as helicopters and gliders roll off Grand Rapids assembly lines during World War II. Cheer Charles Lindbergh as he steps out of the Spirit of St. Louis at the old Kent County Airport. Ride from Grand Rapids to Detroit on the country's first passenger airline. With journalist Gordon Beld as your pilot, you're in for a spectacular aerial view of Grand Rapids aviation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781614238058
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	11/27/2012
Series:	American Chronicles
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Retired Michigan reporter Gordon Beld continues to write for Grand Rapids Magazine. He has written for Grand Rapids Press, the Grand Rapids Herald and Michigan History Magazine. Beld is the author of "A Gentle Breeze from Gossamer Wings" and "Grand Times in Grand Rapids: Pieces of Furniture City History."

Table of Contents

Preface: Glancing Back and Looking Up 9

Acknowledgements 13

1 The Start of It All 15

2 How Things Looked from Up There 25

3 A Nice Try 31

4 First to Zoom over the City 37

5 A Few Chills for a Newsman 49

6 Barnstormer, Bootlegger and Battler for Survival 55

7 Flying at the Fair 63

8 A Flying Field and a National First 73

9 Lindy Lands 87

10 Mom's Ride Home 95

11 Fairs and Circuses, Comings and Goings 99

12 Whispering Wings 109

13 Buying a Bomber 115

14 When Whirlybirds First Flew 119

15 All from a Mess in the Icebox 129

16 All-out for the Allies 133

17 Flying to Freedom 141

18 Children of Dust 149

Index 153

About the Author 159