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[[underlined]]Soaring (notWAR...ing) in 1940's        Hattie Meyers Junkin[[/underlined]]

[[underlined]]Page 13[[/underlined]]

Our orgsniztion had been formed as National Glider Association, Enamel button pins were blue with white wings.. only three then as "C" was the highest license. When we were called the [[underlined]]"No good Aviators[[/underlined]] so we changed it to [[underlined]]Soaring Society of America[[/underlined]], being careful to put America the last initial! this got ahead of a very general opinion that anyone flying, lmuch less gliders could rightfully wear a pin with the "A" first.

1931, our friends living in Washington later one, were the Wolfgang Klemperers. He was No. One Soaring pilot in the World. Arrived working for Goodyear Zeppilin Compnay and in 1931 was designer with one of California's largest aircraft Companies. He heads the Southern Soaring Association.

Lt. Ralph Stanton Barnaby to whom I was married from Nov. 1929 - divorced as Lt. Comdr. June 1934.. was No. One American Soaring Pilot and my "C" made us both U.S. No.Ones. I carried my maiden name [[underlined]]HATTIE MEYERS[[/underlined]] thru all changes and accomplishments, with Junkin name returned 1934.

Jack O'Meara daring glider pilot was flying a Bowlus sailplane. At this writing with financial backing Hawley Bowlus building sailplanes for about $400.00 each. Bowlus soaring by airplane tow with parachute could get up under the cumulus clouds for thermals quickly. Donald Douglas known the world over for his transports and bombers is financial backing, with Otto Timm another aircraft mfgr., the C.A.A. and other men holding responsible positions in California's growing Aviation Industry. 

Many a Soaring pilot learned too late that a German accent did not make a glider pilot. The motored boys, realized by now that gliding was not kid stuff. He had to reverse his knowledge and habits.