WILLIAM S. BROCK 1895-1932

William S. "Billy" Brock, abt 1925 from Baling Wire, Chewing Gum and Guts by Bill Rhode

Courtesy of Laurent Brocard The Flying Pioneers

 

	Early Days 1914	Beam School of Aviation 1917	Wing Walking 1922

 

	Pride of Detroit 1927	Brock & Crosley 1930

 

Billy Brock, An Unsung Hero of Early Aviation Urbana Daily Citizen, Urbana, Ohio, Jult 17, 1945 Courtesy of Rick Rademacher, 7-5-05      This series of four articles from the Urbana Daily Citizen recounts several of the stories of Billy's most memorable flights. The introduction to the articles is as follows: "We recently ran across an article published in a little Pennsylvania Plant newspaper. It was dated July 12, 1927, shortly after Lindbergh's flight across the Atlantic. We think it is worth republishing now, to draw a contrast between the pioneer flying during World War No. 1 and the exact precision of modern flying. But the precision of today would be impossible without the daring and faith of yesteryear. The article is also of direct local interest, because the destination of the flight was Springfield and Urbana, and because the Billy Brock of the article was born in West Liberty and his mother lived in Springfield. "      To read the entire article, just click on the title above.

 

Buys Schlee-Brock Plane. New York Times, August 16, 1930 Courtesy of Mike Banks, 3-19-04      "Powel Crosley, radio manufacturer, it was learned here yesterday, has purchased the Lockheed Vega monoplane in which Edward F. Schlee and William S. Brock recently made a round trip form Jacksonville to San Diego and return in thirty-one hours. The plane has been entered in the non-stop derby between Los Angeles and Chicago, an event in the national air races. Brock will pilot it, and plans are being made to broadcast a running story of the flight from the plane during the race."

 

EARLY BIRDS MEET IN DETROIT - 1932      In this report of the meeting in Detroit, you will find a brief conversation between William S. (Billy) Brock and Harold (Doc) Kinkaide. The specific paragraphs are about 2/3 the way down the page. I think you will find it interesting to read the whole story. To go to the page, just click on the title above.

SPARE PARTS from HERE, THERE and EVERYWHERE - 1936      Nine years ago, this August 27-28, Early Bird William S. "Billy" Brock and William F. Schlee flew their "Pride of Detroit" across the broad Atlantic in the first airplane flight to England. They flew from Harbor Grace to Croydon, 2350 miles non-stop in 23:19:00, in the course of a flight to Japan. Their's was the eighth non-stop crossing of either Atlantic. This plane is now in the Early Bird exhibit of the Edison Institute, at Dearborn, Mich. from CHIRP - AUGUST, 1936- DEARBORN MICH. - NUMBER 20 courtesy of Steve Remington - CollectAir

 

Brock Family Notes via email from Harris B. Dates Dear Mr. Cooper: I am the nephew of William S. Brock by marriage. My aunt Violet Harris married William S. Brock Sunday, January 23rd in Rochester, N.Y. They had one son, William S. Brock, Jr. He was a test pilot for the Thomas Aeroplane Co. in Ithaca, new York. Did he have any other children? He was quite a hero. I would love to hear from you. Harris B. Dates Editor's Note: I thank Harris for this additional information. If you can help to answer his question regarding possible descendants, please contact me. Thank you.

 

William S. Brock died in 1932 From The Early Birds of Aviation Roster, 1996   Editor's Note: If you have any information on this pioneer aviator, please contact me. E-mail to Ralph Cooper   Back