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[[stamped]] FROM THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE [[/stamped]]

CECIL M. PEOLI
Early Baldwin RED DEVIL Pilot

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Cecil M. Peoli was born in New York City October 13, 1893. He attended public schools and in his youth became an active aero-modeler. He was one of the leading members of the New York Model Aeroplane Club, formed in 1910, and was an award winning rubber-powered modeler in eastern competitions. This Club was well known throughout the east in modeling circles and many of their members went on to prominence in the aeronautical world. 

In the fall of 1911 one of Peoli's models set a new American record by flying 1,691 feet at a contest in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which stood as a record for some time. Shortly afterward Peoli sold the rights of this model to the Ideal Model Aeroplane and Supply Company in New York who, for some time, advertised it as a kit. 

Peoli competed in model meets on Long Island and in New York City parks during the winter and early spring months of 1911-1912. Captain Thomas S. Baldwin, who was building planes at Mineola, was always looking for young recruits to train as exhibition aviators and he took a great personal interest in these Model Club youngsters. 

During the spring of 1912 Baldwin induced young Peoli to take flying instructions. 

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