Edward H. Phillips (1)

E.M. "Matty" Laird was an American success story - born to a working class Chicago family, he turned his innate mechanical abilities and fascination with flight into a career that put him at the top of aviation's pioneers. As early as 1915, he was flying a home-made biplane in exhibitions; and in 1919 he set-up shop in Wichita, building the Laird Swallow, America's first commercial aircraft. After moving to Chicago, he designed and manufactured the LC-R Speedwing series of planes. Laird's airplanes were high-quality machines, and they were known for their speed. In 1930 and 1931, he built the Solution and Super Solution race planes, flown by Charles "Speed" Holman and Jimmy Doolittle, respectively. Solution won the Thompson Trophy in 1930, and Super Solution won the first Bendix cross-country race in a record-setting time of less than 12 hours. A fascinating look at the early days of commercial aviation and air racing in the United States.… (mehr)

Although much has been written about Cessna aircraft, little factual information has been accumulated about Clyde Vernon Cessna, the man, his companies and the machines that bore his name. In Cessna - a Master's Expression, Ed Phillips has skillfully blended history with a highly readable text that represents the most thoroughly researched story of Cessna yet published. Accordingl, much new ground has been covered in this book. The reader will quickly discovery that many of the previously accepted stories of Cessna history will conflict with the information presented herein. Mr. Phillips has done much original and intensive research into the earliest days of Cessna's flying, a time period sorely lacking in reliable information until now. He interviewed Cessna factory employees who were there when many of the company's historic events occured. The author also talked with men and women who knew Clyde Cessna and his son, Eldon a team that built the famous CR-series racers in 1932-1933.… (mehr)