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Grover E. Bell
Pioneer Martin Aviator

Grover E. Bell was born at Mentone, Indiana, October 23d 1884, He was the brother of Larry Bell, who was later the founder and president of Bell Aircraft Corporation.  Information is lacking concerning Grover's early life, education and first occupations [but[strike through]] during the early 1900's the Bell family moved from Indiana to Santa Monica, California. [[strike through] from  Indiana]. There, during the 1910-1911 era, Bell became interested in aviation and decided he wanted to get into the "flying game".

As a result he became a student of Glenn Martin's first flying school when it opened in the fall of 1912. [[strike through] At that time] He purchased a Martin biplane powered by an 8-cylinder Hall-Scott engine. [and [strike through]].  Martin advertised free instruction with each purchase of a new plane, and Glenn Martin himself was the instructor at that time.  By November 1st Bell was flying every day, using his own plane to practice [strike through]] ing [strike through]] circles, glides and landings at Martin's Griffith Park flying field. [[strike through]] using his own plane [strike through]]  During this period Bell's younger brother Larry was his mechanic. 

That fall Martin established a Hydro Station at Newport Bay and created a hangar and launching ramp. He was building float machines and about November 15th his Hydro School was started. [there [strike through]] On November 25th, Martin gave Bell his first hydro lesson.  Bell was already an advanced landplane student and he enrolled in the hydro course to [also[strike through]] master this branch of flying also.  After two check

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