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Frank M. Hawks Autograph on an 8x10" black and white photo. A pioneer glider pilot, Hawks flew a...

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:100.00 - 150.00 USD
Frank M. Hawks Autograph on an 8x10  black and white photo. A pioneer glider pilot, Hawks flew a...
Frank M. Hawks Autograph on an 8x10" black and white photo. A pioneer glider pilot, Hawks flew a Franklin PS-2 glider across the United States in 1930 during an unprecedented stunt that enthralled the nation He crossed the country in 44 hours of air time during the 8 day trip in his glider "The Texaco Eaglet" (named for the Texaco Oil Company, who sponsored his flight). He also carried 12.5 lbs of "glider mail" on the flight. The "Eaglet" became the first glider constructed after 1903 to be accepted into the Smithsonian Institutions collection. It had flown a grand total of 6,437km (4,,000 miles) and remained airborne for 570 hours during 50 flights. Hawks continued to set point-to-point speed records after this flight. He was killed in 1938 flying a Gwinn Aircar that many experts considered a far safer aircraft than those he normally flew. There are some repaired photo faults, but the photo, inscribed to Cliff Henderson (Manager of the 1929 National Air Races (where Hawks flew demonstration flights), is rarely available. Estimate: $ 100 - 150