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HER STORY (page 4)
Then came time for that First Woman's Transcontinental Air Derby. A
newspaper headline proclaimed "20 WOMEN FLIERS TO RACE" and featured photos
of the contestants. On August 18, 1929, Bobbi made last minute checks and
taxied to her takeoff position. Her Golden Eagle Chief with its 100-horsepower
engine was capable of 120 miles per hour--the fastest in the
light plane class. With a roar they were off on the first leg of the flight
to Cleveland. Bobbi was eight minutes ahead of the competition at the Imperial
Airport check-line, but nearly in sight of Yuma, Bobbi was forced down in a
plowed field. The Golden Eagle flipped and wound up on its back,
suffering significant wing damage. The Bone factory sent mechanics and
parts, and the plane was hauled to Yuma for repair. Three frustrating days
later, Bobbi took off for Kansas City. Despite being grounded once more,
Bobbi arrived at Cleveland before two other entrants. Although she
completed the course, she was not the winner. The laurels in the light
plane CW class went to Phoebe Omlie, with Louise Thaden winning the heavier
DW class.
During her mishaps en route, Bobbi lost her luggage and was forced to
attend the festivities in flying togs, with a white shirt borrowed from
Elinor Smith who was to become Bobbi's partner in the first refueling
endurance flight for women. On the flight home, Jack Helm, a Golden Eagle
distributor who was flying the plane, accompanied Bobbi. When they ran into
a blinding rainstorm, Helm attempted to land. The Chief ground-looped and
stuck nose-up in the mud. Although neither was hurt, the beautiful red and
gold Chief was left lying crumpled in a muddy field.
For Bobbi and Elinor's endurance refueling flight, promoter Jack Sherrill
arranged for use of a Sunbeam biplane, with 300 horsepower Wright Whirlwind
engine. Both were eager to make trial runs to ensure everything was in order to
fly and to receive fuel and supplies necessary to remain in the air for a
month. Fuel and supplies were to be lowered from a Curtiss Carrier Pigeon.
The flip of a coin determined that Elinor would pilot the Sunbeam. They
took off on November 27, 1929. The plane was to be refueled in early
morning and before sunset. Refueling went well. With shifts of four hours
each, two days passed. By Thanksgiving Day, they had been up for 39 hours.
While refueling, the Pigeon began trailing black smoke. Bobbi quickly
tossed the fueling hose over the side, as Elinor maneuvered away from the
ailing Pigeon. It landed, and the fliers emerged safely. The Sunbeam had enough fuel
to stay up until early the next morning. Elinor
landed the plane after 42 hours, three and a half minutes, the first
refueling endurance flight ever made by women--a New World record.
(Click arrow for next page)
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