On June 4, 1935, a Curtis Robin monoplane named “Ole Miss” took off from Meridian’s airport. Some 100 onlookers observed this unheralded event.When, 27 days later, the “Ole Miss” touched down at Meridian, she was greeted by 30,000 cheering people. Pilots Fred and Al Key had accomplished a non-stop endurance flight that totaled 653 hours 34 minutes. During this 52,320 mile flight, the “Ole Miss” used 6,000 gallons of gasoline and made 435 mid-air refueling contacts. In 1955, pilot Fred Key flew the completely restored “Ole Miss” to Washington, DC, where it is now on permanent display in the National Air and Space Museum. The World Flight Endurance record set by the Key Brothers in 1935 still stands today.
Click on URL below to read about 75 years of inflight refueling, including the fact that James Keeton and William Ward made many takeoffs and landings to deliver fuel and accomplish this feat. Lelia, is this your father?
http://www.scribd.com/doc/1449865/US-Air-Force-75yrs-inflight-refueling
A personal note: Al and Fred Key were my cousins. One of them (?) had a toothache while inflight, and his father, a dentist, sent medication by way of the refueling plane. A.D. Hunter, a close neighbor and master mechanic, developed the leakless refueling nozzle and coupling which made this long flight possible. My mother was one of the thousands at the airport the day they landed. She wore her most beautiful dress of brown lace with rhinestone buttons, which she wore again on her wedding day soon after.
In Celebration of MHS Class of 1958
Friday, July 18, 2008
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3 comments:
Great story - I sent it on to my sons, James and Paul.
James Keeton is indeed Leila's father. I'm going to ask her to respond. She'll be thrilled about your connections.
MA,
What an interesting, well written post about the saga of Fred and Al Key. Their accomplishment was a bright spot during a period of few bright spots (the Depression). That you give visibility to the supporting cast, the refueling operations, expands our appreciation of the mission's success beyond the headlines of the pilots' daring flight and gives credit to the "other" heroes involved. I, frankly, never knew their names, nor did I think through to the significance of their contribution.
Telling us about your mother—and her dress, adds to the color of your post. Thank you for sharing this with us.
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