FRANCIS A. WILDMAN -1956

 

The New York Herald August, 1911 SMASHES AEROPLANE, BUT ESCAPES UNHURT [SPECIAL DESPATCH TO THE HERALD.] FULTON, Ky., Wednesday.---Death hovered over the aviation field at the Fulton County Fair today, when F. A. Wildman, of New York, lost control of his flying machine and fell into a corn field.      Mr. Wildman, after a brief exhibition, attempted some fancy dives, and suddenly the machine shot toward the earth, striking with terrific force.      The thousands of spectators, including the airman's wife, were horror stricken, but the suspense was brief, as Mr. Wildman, unhurt, emerged from the corn field and waved his hand to the amphitheatre.      The aeroplane is a total wreck. Another machine has been ordered for use during the remainder of the fair. Courtesy of Roy Nagl, 11-2-05 TRUE TALES OF THE ANCIENT AVIATORS

 

"Doc" Wildman, Instructor George Russell Clark was born on April 24, 1894 at Flint, Michigan. He learned to fly at the Curtiss Flying School at Hammondsport, N. Y., on a Curtiss flying boat powered by an OX2 motor, under flying instructor Francis A. "Doc" Wildman. He made his first solo flight on June 9, 1914, in a Curtiss flying boat at Lake Fenton, Michigan. For some time thereafter, Mr. Clark piloted a Curtiss flying boat owned by Mr. J. B. Armstrong. From The Early Birds of Aviation CHIRP October 1962, Number 69

 

World's Record for Hydro-Aeroplanes Knoxville Journal and Tribune, Knoxville, Tennessee: January 24, 1914, Transcribed by Bob Davis - 2-11-07 "San Diego, Cal., Jan. 23. - Private Francis Wildman of the United States Aero corps established what is said to be a world's record for hydro-aeroplanes today when with a passenger he reached an altitude of 3,500 feet in 25 minutes. Wildman shut off the power and glided to earth. The machine and passengers weighed a ton."

 

Francis A. Wildman died in 1956 From The Early Birds of Aviation Roster of members, 1966

 

Back