Viewing page 63 of 91

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

From: Carl Byoir & Associates, Inc. 
10 E. 40th St., MU 6-3200 
New York 16, New York

For: BENDIX AVIATION CORPORATION

FOR RELEASE TUESDAY AM

DELAY OF SECONDS IN REFUELING MY DECIDE BENDIX TROPHY RACE 

DAYTON, O., Aug. 24 -- A matter of seconds may decide the winner of the 1,900 mile cross-country Bendix Trophy speed classic of the National Aircraft Show on Sept. 5, an Air Force spokesman predicted here today.

Seconds saved at ground refueling bases will make the difference between the winner and the runners-up, the spokesman declared. If it takes more than three minutes to refuel, change tanks, or repair a plane part, the pilot's chance of finishing in the shortest elapsed time will be slim, he added.

At least ten crack pilots, the cream of five Air Force commands have thus far been selected to fly in the Trophy event sponsored by the Bendix Aviation Corporation, will aim these Sabrejets at the record set in 1951 by Col. Keith K. Compton. He flew from Edwards Air Force Base, California, to Detroit in 3 hours, 27 minutes and 56.4 seconds, also in a Sabrejet, at an average speed of 553.76 miles per hour. This year's race will also start at Edwards A.F.B. and finish at Dayton.

In the 1951 trophy event refueling crews jumped on plane wings for the last 50 feet of the landing roll to gain extra time. Others stayed with the plane as it began to take off again, still working, and slipping from the wing at the last moment to gain valuable seconds as it moved along the runway.

Ground crews will pump 410 gallons of jet fuel into planes at the refueling bases. This is like filling 26 automobile tanks, and they'll do it in less than 180 seconds. Just as the pit crew does at an auto race, the ground crew will fill