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69

VICTOR CARLSTROM

Pioneer Curtiss Aviator - Instructor

Victor Carlstrom was born in Gustaf Fahm Lam, Sweden, April 12, 1890. Details concerning his early life and education are lacking, but it is evident that he came to America some time in the early 1900's. In America, he worked at various jobs, including that of a cowpuncher in Arizona. He became an American citizen and later, in California, was interested in aviation during the early flying events of the 1910-1911.

Carlstrom was taught to fly at Griffith Park aviation field by Frank M. Stites during February and March of 1912, on an airplane owned by George Barnhart. Following this, for a short period, Carlstrom served as a mechanic for Stites on some flying assignments in the Los Angeles area. He continued his flying practice and in early July flew his license tests at Dominguez Field on a Curtiss-type pusher biplane with a Curtiss engine, and received F.A.I. License No. 144 on July 24, 1912.

During the early summer of 1913 Carlstrom started flying exhibitions for the Kirkham Aeroplane and Engine Company of Savona, New York, using a Curtiss-type biplane with a 4-cylinder, 50 h.p. Kirkham engine. On June 2nd he flew at Erie, Pennsylvania, then June 24th to 28th flew twice daily at London, Ontario, Canada. July 3rd to 5th he was at Niagara Falls, New York; on July 23rd he flew from Savona to Buffalo, New York, making a landing at Alexandria; and on September 20th he was in Cadillac, Michigan, at a fair.

In 1914, Carlstrom again flew exhibitions for Kirkham, this time through the Midwest. He was at Coldwater, Michigan, on July 4th, and at Mount Sterling, Illinois, for one week beginning August 15th. He had become a very proficient pilot and Glenn Curtiss began to take notice of his work.