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The 1933 National Air Races

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Rivaling the Olympic Games in public interest and civic importance, the National Air Races return to Los Angeles this year, bringing with them the world's greatest flyers and fastest land planes, and centering the attention of the world upon Southern California.

In 1910, Los Angeles was the scene of the first international air meet in the world. In that year, Glen Curtiss established a world speed record of 40 miles an hour at Dominguez field, and the cables and wires fairly buzzed with the news.

In 1928, a small group of aviation enthusiasts, with the support of the oil companies, conducted the greatest air meet of all time - with hundreds of civilian and military airplanes from all parts of the world filling the air above Los Angeles municipal airport (then known as Mines field).

Returning to Los Angeles this year for the first time since 1928, the National Air Races will demonstrate the tremendous strides taken by the aeronautical industry during the last five years. Special racing planes will flash back and forth in front of the grandstands at speeds in excess of 300 miles an hour - more than twice as fast as the speediest civilian planes at the 1928 races.

To Southern California's great civic and business institutions that have made the 1933 races possible by their generous and continued support, and to the public which contributes its part by attending the air race classic in large numbers, we extend our gratitude.

To the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and European flyers who demonstrate the latest aerial maneuvers, we owe a deep debt of thanks.

And to the intrepid civilian pilots who have assembled here from all corners of the country, we extend our welcome and utmost appreciation.

The races are on. We hope YOU enjoy every minute of each daily performance.

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