Art Chester: Difference between revisions
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== Early life == |
== Early life == |
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Art Chester was a Barnstormer of the 1930s. He developed a series of successful air racers named after [[Popeye]] characters. |
Art Chester was a Barnstormer of the 1930s. In September 1930, Chester bought a [[Davis D-1|Davis D-1-85]] parasol, and flew it to victory in the [[National Air Races]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Davis D-1-W|url=http://www.airventuremuseum.org/collection/aircraft/Davis%20D-1-W.asp|accessdate=18 May 2011}}</ref> He later developed a series of successful air racers named after [[Popeye]] cartoon characters. His designs were the [[Chester Jeep]], [[Chester Goon]], and [[Chester Swee Pea]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Art Chester|url=http://www.rcrcc.com/CorvinoJeep.html|accessdate=18 May 2011}}</ref> Chester's "Jeep" became a formidable racer. |
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He would be tow his aircraft from race site to race site, driving a matching colored Auburn boat tailed speedster.<ref>{{cite book|title=Cleveland's National Air Races|author=Thomas G. Matowitz}}</ref> Chester's "Jeep" and "Goon" were powered by [[Menasco Motors Company]] engines, which he tuned for maximum performance and reliability. Al Menasco took note of Chester's engine building and tuning skills. In 1939 Chester was hired by Menasco as an engine designer to help develop the [[Menasco Pirate]] and [[Menasco|Buccaneer]] inverted inline aircraft engines. |
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In September 1930, Chester bought a [[Davis D-1|Davis D-1-85]] parasol, and flew it to victory in the [[National Air Races]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Davis D-1-W|url=http://www.airventuremuseum.org/collection/aircraft/Davis%20D-1-W.asp|accessdate=18 May 2011}}</ref> Chester's "Jeep" became a formidable racer. The aircraft would be towed from race site to race site with Chester driving a matching colored Auburn boat tailed speedster.<ref>{{cite book|title=Cleveland's National Air Races|author=Thomas G. Matowitz}}</ref> |
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In 1939 Chester was hired as an engine designer by [[Menasco Motors Company]] to help develop the [[Menasco Pirate]] and [[Menasco|Buccaneer]] inverted inline aircraft engines. |
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During [[World War II]], Chester went to work for [[North American Aviation]] as a engineer employing his racing experience on new designs.<ref>{{cite book|title=Race with the wind: how air racing advanced aviation|author=Birch Matthews}}</ref> |
During [[World War II]], Chester went to work for [[North American Aviation]] as a engineer employing his racing experience on new designs.<ref>{{cite book|title=Race with the wind: how air racing advanced aviation|author=Birch Matthews}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 04:24, 6 January 2012
Art Chester | |
|---|---|
| Born | Art Chester 1899 |
| Died | April 1949 |
| Cause of death | Air Race Crash |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Air racer |
| Known for | Air racing |
Art Chester (1899–1949) was an American air racer of the 1930s and 1940s.
Early life
Art Chester was a Barnstormer of the 1930s. In September 1930, Chester bought a Davis D-1-85 parasol, and flew it to victory in the National Air Races.[1] He later developed a series of successful air racers named after Popeye cartoon characters. His designs were the Chester Jeep, Chester Goon, and Chester Swee Pea.[2] Chester's "Jeep" became a formidable racer.
He would be tow his aircraft from race site to race site, driving a matching colored Auburn boat tailed speedster.[3] Chester's "Jeep" and "Goon" were powered by Menasco Motors Company engines, which he tuned for maximum performance and reliability. Al Menasco took note of Chester's engine building and tuning skills. In 1939 Chester was hired by Menasco as an engine designer to help develop the Menasco Pirate and Buccaneer inverted inline aircraft engines.
During World War II, Chester went to work for North American Aviation as a engineer employing his racing experience on new designs.[4]
Chester was the president of the Professional Race Pilots Association and early promoter of midget air racing, the forerunner to Formula One Air Racing.[5] Chester died when his V-tailed racer Swee Pea II crashed in the slipstream of other racers at a San Diego meet.[6] Chester had entered every National air race held since 1929 until his death.[7]
References
- ^ "Davis D-1-W". Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "Art Chester". Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ Thomas G. Matowitz. Cleveland's National Air Races.
- ^ Birch Matthews. Race with the wind: how air racing advanced aviation.
- ^ Popular Science. Jan 1948.
{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Popular Science. July 1952.
{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Aeroplane and commercial aviation news.
{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty|title=(help); Unknown parameter|Volume=ignored (|volume=suggested) (help)