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[[stamp]]DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE MCMXLVII UNITED STATES OF AMERICA [[/stamp]] CHICAGO OFFICE OF INFORMATION SERVICES OFFICE, SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE Room 102--226 West Jackson Boulevard Chicago 6, Illinois ANdover 3-3600 Exts 140-141 Release Date PM'S MONDAY, JULY 14 Release No. 7-2/57 FIRST SUPERSONIC BENDIX RACE The first supersonic Bendix Trophy Race will be flown by six Convair F-102 jet interceptors of the Air Defense Command from Chicago to Washington, D.C. on Sunday, July 28th. The delta-wing planes will take off shortly after noon at five-minute intervals from Chicago's O'Hare Air Force Base and be over the nation's capital in less than an hour. Two F-102s from each of the Air Defense Forces---Eastern, Central and Western--will compete in the faster-than-sound 1957 Bendix aviation classic. A major purpose of the race is to demonstrate the Air Force Command's ability to deploy its interceptor forces immediately against any potential enemy air attack. The Delta Dagger interceptors will fly the direct course of 615 miles at altitudes up to 50,000 feet from O'Hare Air Force to Andrews AFB, near Washington, to climax the Air Force's Golden Anniversary air show. The annual speed dash, sponsored by Bendix Aviation Corporation, was first won the 1931 by then-Major James A. (Jimmy) Doolittle at 223 miles per hour. Current record holder is Korean jet ace Major Manuel(Pete) Fernandez, 1956 winner in a North American F-100 Super Sabre at 666 miles per hour. (over)