Gordon Light

THE FIRST semi-serious go at the Wakefield Trophy was in 1931 at Dayton, OH, at the Fourth National Contest of the Airplane Model League of America, June 29 and 30, 1931. Flying was done at Wright Field and the events were sponsored by the Materiel Division of the U.S. Army Air Corps. Joseph Ehrhardt of St. Louis defended the Wakefield which he had won the year before in England. He won $25 for his troubles. The flight was 264.8 seconds. Lt. Colonel H.H. (the "HAP") Arnold was the executive officer of the Materiel Division and he signed the letter to me in response to my "thank you" note after the contest. This was the first big contest for me. I did 95 seconds and was awarded a Certificate of Distinction, i.e. Honorable Mention-801 place, I think!