Viewing page 20 of 22

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

He taught himself to fly it during June, 1915 and late that month soloed, to become Saginaw's first aviator. He continued flying practice and on August 8th through the 12th made his first public exhibition flights at the Harvest Festival in neighboring Merrill, Michigan. On August 20th McGee made a fine flight over his home town which drew statewide attention. Following this he exhibited at more Michigan fairs that fall and was at the Huron County Fair, Bad Axe, September 1st through 3rd, Evart, Michigan September 21st-23rd and the Flint Homecoming on October 7th.

With this experience and added enthusiasm McGee decided he wanted to build another plane, so that fall he sold his first plane to a local friend, Ed. Weismuller, who later took it to Fenton, Michigan, where O.E. Williams gave him flying lessons. McGee then built a second plane over the winter months of 1915-1916 with the assistance of Amasa Roberts and William Houston who were woodworking instructors at the Saginaw High School. His second plane was a more conventional tractor biplane using a 100 hp., Curtiss engine was finished and flying from the Realty Farm south of the city about April 20th, 1916. On April 24th McGee flew his new plane to Bay City and return in 12 minutes. On May 21st he thrilled the local townspeople at the Racing Association grounds with an exhibition of all sorts of aerial feats including one-half mile upside down. It was a great show and all Saginaw was extremely proud of their hometown aviator.

Immediately after this McGee left for Cincinnati and Celina, Ohio, to make a series of preparedness flights. On July 4th he exhibited at Alma, Michigan, flying there and back from Saginaw. During July he began looping on his exhibitions. On August 1st he began a schedule of exhibitions at several fall fairs at neighboring Michigan towns and on August 8th made a night flight over Saginaw. On August 27th he had a thrilling experience when he encountered a bad storm flying from Saginaw to Weidman, Michigan, for an exhibition there. Following this he exhibited in Sharonville, Ohio. September 3rd and 4th he was at Battle Creek, Michigan, then flew for one week at Bad Axe. On October 7th McGee flew from the

2