Spirit & creator : the mysterious man behind Lindbergh's flight to Paris / by Nova Hall.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hall, Nova.

Contributor:

Edward Potts Cheyney Memorial Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Hall, Donald A. (Donald Albert), 1898-1968.

Hall, Donald A.

Lindbergh, Charles A. (Charles Augustus), 1902-1974.

Lindbergh, Charles A.

Aeronautics--History.

Aeronautics.

History.

Spirit of St. Louis (Airplane).

Physical Description:

184 pages : illustrations, portraits ; 24 X 32 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Other Title:

Spirit and creator : the mysterious man behind Lindbergh's flight to Paris

Mysterious man behind Lindbergh's flight to Paris

Place of Publication:

Sheffield, MA : ATN Pub., [2002]

Summary:

Donald Albert Hall was one of the 20th century's greatest aeronautical engineers and yet, most likely you've never heard of him. But I guarantee you've heard of the plane he designed, "The Spirit of St. Louis." Within the cracked and weathered exterior of an old steamer trunk, a family secret was waiting to be discovered. In 1999, grandson Nova Hall discovered a locked World War I era chest in the families' garage. This lost and forgotten collection of photographs, negatives, documents, design instruments, working models, film footage, and personal correspondence with Charles A. Lindbergh had amazingly survived years of neglect in no less than perfect condition. This book portrays the mysterious man behind the Spirit of St. Louis and his inspiring story of teamwork and dedication in the construction of the most famous airplane in history.

It all began in late February 1927 when chief engineer, Donald A. Hall, first met the young aviator Charles A. Lindbergh. What Lindbergh proposed was not only controversial but seemingly impossible. All who attempted the Atlantic crossing by air were lost or died on the runway. Nevertheless, these two strangers came to trust each other. In sixty days their concept of a trans-Atlantic flight became reality, a specialized aircraft, that only Lindbergh could fly. Designed, shaped, and built in sixty days by the men and women of Ryan Airlines, this book is a tribute to the Spirit of St. Louis. Here is their tale of triumph.

Contents:

Foreword: "The Spirit" by Ev Cassagneres (Spirit of St. Louis Expert, Aviation Historian) 13

Spirit

The Creator

Donald A. Hall

The Man 21

The Engineer 33

The Creation

Planning 51

Design 59

Production 71

Assembly 89

Testing 101

The Tribute

Spirit of St. Louis

May 20-21, 1927 119

The Aftermath

The Aftermath 135.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (page 165) and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Edward Potts Cheyney Memorial Fund.

ISBN:

0970296444

OCLC:

52535197