TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DAILY ARKANSAS GAZETTE JUNE 24, 1918 P. 2
Had a very amusing experience Friday. I had gone up to practice diving at parachutes and was at 5,000 feet and had my parachute in my hand ready to throw it out. In order to do this, I went into a vertical bend, meaning to throw it out on the inside so would not hit the tail and get hung on it. Just as I reached over to toss the parachute out, must have jerked the stick unconsciously, and before I could think I was over on my back. I mean, of course, the plane was upside down: with the motor full on and we were side slipping down to the ground at about 160 miles per hour. I was hanging away from the plane just held in by shoulder straps, and I spent a hectic half-second until I realized what had happened. Then I tried to reach for the throttle to cut the motor, but I was so far away from the seat that it was only at the fourth or fifth attempt that I was able to reach them. After that there was nothing to do but put the stick in neutral and let her come.
When I got the bus straightened out again I found I had dropped a quarter of a mile. If it had not been that I had had my aerobatics, I would certainly have been scared to death, but you see I have had all that so after the first start I knew I was all right. To make matters worse after this, I came down and made too slow a landing. It was a very puffy day, and I brushed a wing in landing, cracked three ribs. It is the first time I have broken anything since I have been flying.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Lieutenant Wendel Archibald Robertson to his parents Mr. and Mrs. R. Scott Robertson of Fort Smith. He was born on May 4, 1894 in Guthrie, Oklahoma and died on November 3, 1968 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He is buried in Forest Park Cemetery in Fort Smith. His military headstone identifies him as Ace Lt during World War 1. He began his military training at the officers training camp at Fort Roots before transferring to the Air Services. He served with the 139th Aero Squadron and was credited with downing seven enemy aircraft, five were required to being designated Ace. He received the distinguished service cross in World War 1. He was described as being tall and medium build with dark gray eyes and light brown hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Had a very amusing experience Friday. I had gone up to practice diving at parachutes and was at 5,000 feet and had my parachute in my hand ready to throw it out. In order to do this, I went into a vertical bend, meaning to throw it out on the inside so would not hit the tail and get hung on it. Just as I reached over to toss the parachute out, must have jerked the stick unconsciously, and before I could think I was over on my back. I mean, of course, the plane was upside down: with the motor full on and we were side slipping down to the ground at about 160 miles per hour. I was hanging away from the plane just held in by shoulder straps, and I spent a hectic half-second until I realized what had happened. Then I tried to reach for the throttle to cut the motor, but I was so far away from the seat that it was only at the fourth or fifth attempt that I was able to reach them. After that there was nothing to do but put the stick in neutral and let her come.
When I got the bus straightened out again I found I had dropped a quarter of a mile. If it had not been that I had had my aerobatics, I would certainly have been scared to death, but you see I have had all that so after the first start I knew I was all right. To make matters worse after this, I came down and made too slow a landing. It was a very puffy day, and I brushed a wing in landing, cracked three ribs. It is the first time I have broken anything since I have been flying.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Lieutenant Wendel Archibald Robertson to his parents Mr. and Mrs. R. Scott Robertson of Fort Smith. He was born on May 4, 1894 in Guthrie, Oklahoma and died on November 3, 1968 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He is buried in Forest Park Cemetery in Fort Smith. His military headstone identifies him as Ace Lt during World War 1. He began his military training at the officers training camp at Fort Roots before transferring to the Air Services. He served with the 139th Aero Squadron and was credited with downing seven enemy aircraft, five were required to being designated Ace. He received the distinguished service cross in World War 1. He was described as being tall and medium build with dark gray eyes and light brown hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT