TURPIN GALLERY

 

JOHN RODGERS & J. C. TURPIN      On the right side of the photo is seated famed early aviator J. Clifford Turpin in what is likely a Wright Model B aircraft. "Lieut. Rogers" is actually at the controls on the left side of the photo and is likely Lieutenant John Rodgers (US Naval Aviator #2). Rodgers was trained at the Wright School of Aviation in 1911 and flew from Huffman Prairie in Dayton, Ohio at the same time Cliff Turpin was a Wright Company pilot and instructor.      While Rodgers was training at Huffman Prairie, he was visited by his cousin Calbraith "Cal" Perry Rodgers. Cal Rodgers became interested in aviation and he himself was instructed by the Wright Company and purchased his own aircraft. Cal Rodgers would become the first aviator to fly from coast to coast (Sept. 17 to Nov. 11, 1911) in a Wright Model EX Flyer named the "Vin Fiz". Text from HAWAII AVIATION

 

J. C. TURPIN LANDING ILL STATE FAIR 1911 Collection of Jerry Blanchard, 11-9-07

 

Thomas DeWitt Milling & J. Clifford Turpin Library of Congress Collection, 11-26-07

 

J. C. TURPIN  WRIGHT BIPLANE Courtesy of Bob Larzalere

 

OCT 5, 1911 Courtesy of Bob Larzalere

 

Oct 5, 1911, Springfield We saw this biplane sail yesterday. This picture was taken in his flight. We are riding this week.  Minnie

Miss Esther Epperson      Dahlgreen,                 Ill.

 

Email From Bob Larzalere Ralph: Great site!!. I'm a postcard collector and have a 1911 card showing Turpin's Wright Flyer. I'm giving a program Monday evening on postcards to our Westerners Internation group and I'm going to show that card, but I know very little about Turpin. Have you any information at all? Be glad to send you a scan of the postcard if you'd like. It is a "real photo", not a lithograph. Thanks, Bob Larzalere P.S. The lady who was to fly with him was the aunt of a friend of mine in Cheyenne who gave me the card.

 

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