National Air Races Cleveland Ohio Finish of Powder Puff Derby Air Race 23874 (1929)

Synopsis

This silent film of the 1929 National Air Races in Cleveland, Ohio begins with the inaugural parade for the event (:17), and then quickly moves to the Cleveland Airport for the arrival of various contestants, including the finish of the Women's Air Derby — also known as the "Powder Puff Derby" — from Santa Monica, California to Cleveland ( 3:39 ). There is rare footage of the winner, Louise Thaden ( 4:19 ). Thaden was a friend and rival of pioneer aviators Amelia Earhart, Pancho Barnes, Opal Kunz, and Blanche Noyes. Thaden defeated her colleagues in the first Women's Air Derby, also known as the Powder Puff Derby, in 1929. The Air Derby was a transcontinental race from Santa Monica, California to Cleveland, Ohio, which was the site of the National Air Races that year. It took place from August 13–20, 1929. Twenty women were entered in the race. Aviatrix Marvel Crosson was killed. Earhart damaged her aircraft at Yuma, Arizona, Barnes became lost and flew into Mexico and damaged her plane attempting to get back on course, and Noyes suffered an in-flight fire over Texas. At 4:58 winners' laurels are placed on her aircraft and at 5:13 the founder of the National Air Races, Cliff Henderson, speaks to her. It also features rare footage of many other participants in the women's air derby, including Blanche Noyes ( 5:32 ), and Long Beach's Gladys O'Donnell ( 6:38 ) who poses with her plane. The dirigible absolutely dwarfs its tiny cousin! Iris Louise McPhetridge Thaden (November 12,…

Uploader's description on archive.org

Details

Running time

9 minutes

Language

English

Collection

Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

• Stock Footage