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1915
CURTISS SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS
In addition to Walter, the Curtiss School had the following instructors: Vic Carlstrom,
Vic Vernon, Jimmy Johnson, Carl Batts,
Steve MacGordon, Ted Hequemburg, Lawrence Leon, Bert Acosta, and
Andrew "Stew" Cogswell.
From Jo Cooper's Pioneer Pilot
1916
STEVE FLIES THE CURTISS MODEL R-2
April 1. Steve flew an R-2 with a passenger from Newport News, Virginia to Washington, D.C., and returned in 4 hours and 45 minutes.
This was quite an impressive performance for the time.
From Curtiss, The Hammondsport Era 1907-1915 by Louis S. Casey
Editor's Note: The specifications for and a photo of the Curtiss Model R may be found on the
AeroFiles site. Use your "Find" button and look for R, R-2
SECOND PLACE IN RACE
May. Victor Carlstrom was the winner of a 28-mile aeroplane race at Sheepshead Bay, New York. His time was
14 minutes 21 seconds. Steve MacGordon, another Curtiss pilot-instructor, was second with a time of 15
minutes, 31 seconds.Ruth Law, one of the few female flyers, came in third, flying a tiny Curtiss biplane with a 30-foot wingspan. Her
time was 18 minutes, 16 seconds.
From Jo Cooper's Pioneer Pilot
1917
STEVE DIES IN FIRE
Steve died as a result of a fire. He was in the front seat of the plane, his student was in the back.
There was no throttle or switch in the front. On landing, the plane's tail went up in the air, the propeller hit the ground, and the engine
braces broke. All Curtiss OX5's had the rear end of the crankshaft extending back out of the engine, with a socket for a crank to fit
into, usually used when installed in a pusher Curtiss F Boat. This shaft was so long and so close to the gas tank, that the tank had a
recess in it to accomodate the shaft. When the engine braces broke, the shaft ripped into the gas tank, allowing the gas to escape,
which caught fire.
In this case, the student became confused and did not cut the switch. There was a big burst of flame
around Steve. He tumbled out, but not before he was badly burned and had breathed in the hot flames. He lived several hours, but his
lungs were badly burned. I went to the hospital and talked to him several hours before he died. He was quite rational and we talked
over the accident to determine just what caused it. Steve was a fine fellow. The student was slightly singed, but recovered. All planes
were grounded until throttle and switches were installed in the front seats.
SELECTION FROM WALTER LEE'S JOURNAL |
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