Air Racing & Aerobatics

The Church Midwing was originally advertised as “the sportiest, safest, best-looking airplane in the light, single seat class,” and sold as a home-built kit.

This airplane is a full-size replica of the 1931 Laird “Super Solution” racer, winner of the 1931 Bendix Trophy race, piloted by Jimmy Doolittle.

Arthur Chester designed and built the Chester Special in his garage in the early 1930s. The racer was completed in 1932, but was not fully tested by the time of the 1932 National Air Races.

Sylvester Wittman (1904-1995), known as “Witt” or “Steve” to his friends, was one of the greatest—possibly the greatest—pylon (closed-course) air race pilot in history. Between 1926 and 1989, he competed in and won more air races than anyone else.

This Bücker Jungmeister was owned by long-time aerobatic champion Mike Murphy. During the 1940s, he won numerous competitions with his first Jungmeister which was originally owned by the famous pilot Alex Papana.

Duane Cole (1915-2004) was a flight instructor, author, aerobatic instructor, and air show performer. His trademark Taylorcraft, with Cole’s name written upside-down on its fuselage, was a common sight at air shows around the U.S.

Harry Crosby designed the all-metal CR-4 racer while recuperating from serious back injuries sustained in the crash of its predecessor, the CR-3.

This Super Stearman evolved from the hands and mind of Joe Hughes who wanted something even better than the standard 450 hp airshow Stearman, especially for movie work.

The creation of the Goodyear racing class inspired Tony LeVier to create a new racer, so he put together a team of professionals that included Fish Salmon and Glenn Fulkerson, who were later joined by Irving Culver.

Steve Wittman designed and built two Goodyear racers, Buster and Little Bonzo, named after two comic strip characters he had enjoyed in the 1930s.