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CARL R. BORKLAND 
Aero Modeler- Aviator- Instructor

  Carl L. Borkland was born in New York City, September 7, 1895[[strikethrough]], where [[strikethrough]]. He attended city schools and at age 13 began to build and fly model airplanes. He joined the New York Model Aero Club along with Early Birds George Page, Jean Roche', Russell Holderman, Percy Pierce, Frank Schober, Ralph Barnaby, and others, This was a very large and active group, and they established many model flying records.

  In 1910 the club bought a Wittemann hang-type biplane glider, and gliding flights were started on Staten Island, New York.  In 1911, Borkland brought the Model Hydro Record from England to New York.  His aero modeling and glider flying continued and he became a member of the New York Aero Science Club.

  In 1914 his family moved to Chicago, Illinois, where through 1915 Borkland was Vice-President of the Illinois Model Aero Club and helped recruit new members. 

  In 1917, he went to Toronto, Canada, and learned to fly at a Canadian Flying School, where he obtained British F.A.I. Flying License No. 8496.  He joined the Royal Flying Corps and during World War I flew in England, Scotland, France, and in the United States at Hazelhurst Field, Mineola, Long Island, New York.  In Europe he served as Lieutenant with the 54th Training and 43rd Sopwith Camel Fighter Squadrons and was discharged as a Major in 1919. 

  Returning to the United States Borkland was one of the organizers, and became Treasurer, of the Ralph C. Diggins Aviation Company in Chicago, Illinois.  The firm operated a well known midwestern flying school for some time and there Borkland served as an instructor in addition to performing aerial photography, cross-country charter flights and barnstorming, using British Avro and American planes.