biography
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1900–35)
|
| biography:
| Pioneer aviator, born in Grand Saline, Texas, USA. In the early 1920s he was a mechanic, stunt parachutist, and wingwalker. In 1931 he left New York City in a Lockheed Vega monoplane, with the Australian Harold Gatty as navigator, to fly around the world, taking 8 days, 15 hr, 51 min. He gained instant fame, toppling Zeppelin's previous record of 21 days. In 1933 he made the first solo flight round the world, taking 7 days, 18 hr, 49 min. He was killed in an air crash in Alaska. |
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