In 1903, America led the world in aviation. By 1919, its aviation industry was lagging behind other nations. Europe was beginning commercial airlines, but in the much larger United States, aviation seemed limited to aerial entertainment. Americans appeared to be losing interest in aviation.
“The Great Air Race: Glory, Tragedy, and the Dawn of American Aviation,” by John Lancaster, recounts an almost forgotten 1919 transcontinental air race. Hosted by the Army Air Service and limited to military pilots, it was billed as a demonstration of capability rather than a race. It attempted to revive America’s aviation industry.
The “Transcontinental Reliability and Endurance Test,” as it was officially known, was the brainchild of Brig. Gen. William “Billy” Mitchell, then America’s foremost air power advocate. In 1919, he was at the height of his influence as a war hero and director of military aeronautics, and he organized the race as a readiness demonstration. Army pilots starting in New York and San Francisco would cross the continent to the other city and then fly back to their origin. Half would start in each city. It was not intended to be a race—but the competitive instincts of the participants made it one.
Mitchell’s goal was to create a transportation infrastructure, inducing cities along the path to set up airfields to support the race. These, he hoped, would fuel commercial aviation. There were no municipal airports because there was almost no commercial aviation, and there was almost no commercial aviation because there were no municipal airports. The airfields to support the race would provide destinations for commercial air services.
Lancaster recounts what happened. The route was hurriedly developed. Towns eagerly provided support. The pilots, just as eager, saw an opportunity to test their skills. A broad range of Army aircraft was used, including multi-engine bombers. The public was captivated by the spectacle, and aviation supporters in industry and government helped boost it.
Aircraft and infrastructure was primitive. Lancaster shows the adventures and misadventures befalling the participating aircraft and flyers. Pilots, lacking navigation aids, were frequently lost. Forced landings were common. Crashes and fatalities followed. Most participants fell out of the race. A few succeeded, gaining fame.
“The Great Air Race” is a marvelous adventure story. Lancaster recaptures the feeling of the era. He also shows how it revived American interest in the field, creating the foundation for modern American aviation.
