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CHAUFFEUR OF THE SKIES

Projecting my husbandly nose over the top of the morning issue of THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, I said to Jane, my gracious and lovely companion through many and varied experiences, including matrimony, "Just read this headline! Isn't that something?"

My wife, not to be deterred from following the doctor's orders as to the preparation of the proper food for my breakfast, turned the egg over easy and then came to my side of the table to read the headline:

"1700 MPH ROCKET SHIP HAS FIRST TEST AT EDWARDS!
Turbine Fuel Pump on Air Force Research Plan provides for prologed acceleration!"

"Developed from Bell's world's first supersonic aircraft, the X-1A incorporates a turbine-driven fuel pump to force alcohol and liquid oxygen into its four rocket tubes."

"Designed to hit 1700 mph at 80,000 feet, this newest wonder weights 16,000 pounds.....It is carried aloft by a Superfortress and dropped at high altitude to prevent fuel waste in climbing, although it undoubtedly can take off from the ground as did its predecessor."

"The X-1A is currently being flown by Jean (Skip) Ziegler, but will be tested to its full capabilities by Major Charles (Chuck) Yeager."

Jane, have a one track mind in so far as I am concerned, said:

"On April 1, 1953 this is news, yes, to be sure, but in 1904 YOU were the news. YOU were the headlines!"

"But just think, 1700 miles per hour....."

"How fast did your first airship fly, on your first flight?"

"About ten miles per hour....."

"I'll admit that the K-1X or whatever they call it, is faster, but YOU helped start this whole air business, didn't you? You were one of the first, the very first, to fly an airship in the United