Jack Wright - Famous Flyers and Their Famous Flights

When they arrived, the day’s program wasin full sway. A huge tri-motored plane wasloading passengers for a cross-country trip.As the three approached the port, they sawthe great plane rise into the air and take offexactly on schedule. Smaller planes wereflying about above the airport, and on theground mechanics were working over severalplanes that needed overhauling. Captain Billwanted to go first to the administrationbuilding, a large white brick structure, modernas any office building in appearance. Hewanted to see the head of the airport, anold friend of his, and make the final arrangementsfor the care of his plane whenit came in.

As they were about to enter the building,a tall, heavy-set man passed them, on hisway out. Captain Bill started, and halfturned. “Well, if that didn’t look like – ”he began, then turned and went on into thebuilding. “Looked like an old flying buddyof mine. But of course, it couldn’t be. OldHank never was that fat. Never had anounce of fat on him. All skin and bone.But you never can tell, eh, boys?”

“You’ll be getting there yourself, someday, be careful,” laughed Bob.

John Headlund, delighted to see CaptainBill, jumped up from his desk, and pumpedhis hands up and own. “If it isn’t theCaptain! Man, it’s great to see you again!”Headlund and Bill had flown together inFrance, and although they had kept in touchwith each other a few years after they hadreturned to America, the press of businesshad kept them apart, and they had not seeneach other for years. Captain Bill presentedthe boys.

“They’re going to bring new business foryou, Headlund,” said Bill. “Here are twoof America’s future flyers.”

The boys grinned.

Headlund, after wishing them success, turned again to Bill. “Do you see any ofthe old boys?” he asked.

“Pat McDermott’s my partner,” said Bill.“He’s flying the old boat in this afternoonsometime.”

“He is! That’s great! And quite a coincidence, too. Do you know who was here – left just before you came in?”

“Not Hank Brown!” shouted Bill. “Bygolly, I thought I recognized that face! OldHank! What was he doing here?”

“He’s got a ship down here in one of ourhangars. It’s a beauty – a four passengercabin plane, with the pilot’s seat up front – abeautiful job. Listen, Hank’s gone downto the hangar now to look it over. Maybeyou can catch him down there. It’s AvenueB, the last hangar in line.”

“Great. I’d like to see Hank. Last timeI saw him he was in an English hospital, eating porridge and not liking it at all. Whowould have thought that the old skinnymarink would have put on all that poundage?Old Hank fat! And flying in a cabinplane. Come on, fellows, we’ve got to godown there and see him.” He turned to Headlund.“I’m going to be in town all summer,Heady, and I guess you’ll be seeing plentyof me. What street did you say? AvenueB?”

Captain Bill and the boys hurried out, found the right road, and walked along ituntil they came to the last hangar. A beautifulplane, black and aluminum, stood outside.But as they approached, there was nobodyto be seen.

“Ahoy, there!” shouted Bill. “Anybodyhere know Hank Brown?”

Hank himself appeared from the other sideof the plane, where he had been conferringwith a mechanic. “I’m Henry Brown,” hesaid, peering from behind gold-rimmedglasses at Bill and the boys. His face registeredno sign of recognition at first. Thensuddenly it lighted up, he rushed forward, and gripped Captain Bill’s hand in his, slappinghim heartily on the back with the other.“Well, Bill! You old sock! Whereon earth did you come from? What are youdoing here? Where have you been?”

Bill, delighted to see his old buddy, laughedat him, and poked him in his now well-paddedribs. “One question at a time, Hank.What are you doing here? And how comeyou’ve got this grand ship?” asked Bill.

“I asked you first,” laughed Hank.

They spent the next ten minutes tellingeach other just what they had been doingsince their last meeting. They spared thedetails, but each was satisfied with the other’sstory. Hank had done well as the managerand later as president of his father’ssteel plant. Prosperity had ironed out thewrinkles that had always twinkled aroundhis steely grey eyes, and contentment hadadded inches to his waistline, but he wasstill the same generous, fun-loving Hankthat the boys had known in France.

“Listen,” said Hank. “Come on in andtry the plane. See how comfortable it is.Say, this is some different from the old rattletrapswe used to fly, isn’t it?”

“But we had some good thrills in them, didn’t we,” said Bill. This meeting withHank was bringing back memories that hadnot stirred in him for many years.

“Let’s get in here where we can talk incomfort,” said Hank.

They mounted a little step that the mechanicset for them, and entered the side doorof the plane. The inside was amazinglyluxurious. Along both sides were upholsteredseats, covered with multi-colored cushions.There were built-in fixtures, and everythingto make for the greatest ease in traveling.The pilot’s seat could be partitionedoff by a glass sliding door up front.

The three men sat down on the seats atthe side of the cabin. “Gee, they’re soft,”said Bob. “I could ride all day on these.”He jumped up and down a little.

“Remember your manners,” said Bill.

Bob stopped jumping and blushed. “Oh,I forgot,” he said. He had really forgottenthat Hank Brown was an important man,a millionaire. But Hank only laughed.

“How would you people like to take theplane up on its last ride this year?” he asked.

“The last ride?” said Bill. “Why thelast?”

“Well, I’m putting her away,” said Hank.“That’s what I was talking to the mechanicand Headlund about. I was going to spendmy summer up in my log cabin in Canada, fishing, and all that. But my wife wantsto go to Europe instead. She’s going totake the two girls over to France and leavethem there in school. That would meanshe’d have to come back all alone. I’ve beenintending to go back to take a look aroundever since I’ve been back in America, so Ithought I’d take the opportunity of gettingover there now with her. I wouldn’t takethe plane. I won’t need a big ship like this.If I want to fly I can pick up a little Frenchor German bus. So I’m putting old Lizziein the hangar. Seems a shame. But howwould you like to go up now? Would youlike to try her out?” he asked Bill.“Would I?” said Bill. He slid into thepilot’s seat, and looked over the instrumentboard, to familiarize himself with the instrumentswith which the plane was equipped.Then he turned back to the boys. “Wantto go up?”

Bob was almost beside himself with excitement.“Take her up, Bill go on,” hesquealed. “Sure we want to go up. Goahead, Bill.”

Hal said nothing. His face was pale. Billthought that it would be best to ignore him, and just take it for granted that he wantedto go up, too. And Hal, although he wasby this time frightened to death, would notadmit it. He decided to risk the going uprather than say that he was afraid.

The mechanic taxied the plane out intothe open and took away the steps. Billpressed the starter, and the great propellerbegan to move. Slowly the ship rolled overthe ground, gradually gaming momentum.Finally it rose into the air. Bill handledthe huge ship as though it were a toy. Higherand higher it rose. Bob, looking out ofthe window, saw the building of the airportwhizzing by below them, thendisappear into a whirling mass. Were they going?Were they standing still? Bob couldn’ttell.

“How high are we?” he shouted at thetop of his voice to Hank.

“About 5,000 feet,” judged Hank. Hewas looking over at Hal rather anxiously.He thought that maybe the boy was goingto be sick. But Hal manfully hung on, and said nothing.