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Clifford William Henderson

One aeronautical history book has called him "The Barnum of aviation, promoter and showman, par excellence, who, with the exception of Lindbergh, has done more than any other individual to attract American attention to aviation." The appraisal is correct.

Cliff Henderson's medium was the annual National Air Races, the world's premier air classic of speed, spunk, and aerobatic surprises. No other series of events have contributed so greatly to the engineering excellence of aircraft. As managing director and producer of these aerial regattas, he was intimately associated with their success from 1928 through 1939.

While various national racing events had been conducted since 1920 under the aegis of the National Aeronautics Association, it was not until 1928 that Cliff and several others interested in aviation competition had persuaded Washington authorities to go "pro." A Los Angeles barley field was chosen as the site for the 1928 event, and following the races, its City Council decided the time had arrived to build an airport. Henderson was selected as airport director, and before he left the following year to devote all his talents to the races, built the first administration building, hangars and runways for what is now Los Angeles International.

In Cleveland, and other major cities, Cliff soon raised money for annual cash prizes of $125,000 minimum, and attracted such lustrous trophy sponsors as Bendix, Shell and Thompson.

[[image - small drawing of a propeller]]

Clifford William Henderson: born, Lennox, Iowa, July 11, 1895.

[[image No. 79 - black & white photograph of cover of program for the 1932 National Air Races]]

[[image No. 80 - black & white photograph of Cliff Henderson in cockpit of biplane]]

[[caption]] Cover of program for 1932 National Air Races (79), painted by Charles Hubbell. Cliff Henderson in his 1932 scout plane, with famous emblem of the annual event (80), an affair he developed and nurtured to international greatness. [[/caption]]