BIOGRAPHY

 

Chicago, Ill., 1918 Photo from collection of Lester Bishop Courtesy of David Balanky

1972 From CHIRP, January, 1972

 

	Matty Laird, 1915 Ralph, ran across this in the Aerial Age mag for Nov.8,1915 issue. I assume you have enough Lairds but just in case , for whatever reason, heres another. ( I assume this is the motor he had sitting in his living room of his Boca Raton Home when I visited him there) Regards, Tom Yanul 8-4-01

 

NATIONAL EXHIBITION FLYERS

Chicago, 1919 - Billie's Plane #2. Built by Matty Laird. Small, high-powered stunt ship in which he made exhibitions at fairs over many of the mid-western states that summer. From left - Matty Laird & Billie. Collection of William Burke, Jr.

 

Billie Burke & Matty Laird, Wichita, 1920 Collection of William Burke, Jr.

 

"MATTY" REACHES EIGHTY Eighty what? No, not his golf score, and not eighty miles per hour in one of his early home-designed, home-made, and home-flown airplanes. I'm referring to Eighty Years that "Matty" Laird reached on November 29. On that memorable occasion a group of his friends invited him and his lovely bride, Elsie, to a birthday party at Del Ray, Florida. That's only a few miles from their home in Boca Raton. Matty was invited to go for a flight, and took over the controls for some snappy turns and a few figure-eights.      Matty reports good progress by the Florida unit of the Experimental Aircraft Association which has taken over the restoration of his "Super Solution." During January the parts as repaired and fabricated thus far were shown during a fly-in at Lakeland, Fla. It's good to know that this beautiful bird will again be seen in its full plumage and dynamic power. The background of this project is that the National Air and space Museum had its fuselage, and the Connecticut Aeronautical and Historical Association had some wing panels, landing gear units and odd parts. Both NASM and CAHA wanted to see the "Super Solution" restored but NASM is facing a deadline of July 4, 1976 for the opening of its new building and has undertaken preparation of flightcraft which can be ready for exhibition by that most Bicentennial of all dates. The "SS" is a major job that can't be condensed into a limited time. CAHA also has parts of the "Solution" and is proceeding with its restoration first. Meanwhile the EB's Smithsonian Liaison Committee, Waldo Waterman, Chairman, has maintained a stimulating interest in bringing interested persons as well as existing parts of the airplane together. Into this picture came the E.A.A. and that group of initials as we know stands for an excellent organization of artisans, pilots, historians, researchers, students of flight history, and wonderful cooperators including wives and girl friends all very capably led by Paul Poberezny, founder and director. So, with the enthusiastic cooperation of all interested parties, the work is moving ahead. This from The EARLY BIRDS CHIRP March 1976, Number 82

 

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