ROSCOE TURNER: A Brief Chronology

Born: Corinth, Miss., Sept. 29, 1895. Attended school

Early Recollections by Corinthians

Moved to the Memphis area in early 1910's, was an auto mechanic, truck driver, etc. after leaving from public schools.

1916: tried to enlist in the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps, rejected for lack of college degree.

World War I: Enlisted in Aviation Section, Signal Corps, as balloon observer. Became balloon pilot, then airplane pilot. Did not see action.

Missing Image DOS RT4 Post war to early twenties: Went back to Corinth, bought part interest in a Jenny. Formed "Roscoe Turner Flying Circus." Adopted uniform.

1924: married for first time, to Carline Stovall.

1926: He bought a Sikorsky S-29, a rather large plane at the time, used it for various publicity feats, movies.

1928: Went to work for Howard Hughes on "Hell's Angels," and worked on other movies in ensuing years.

Moved to Hollywood- December 20, 1929 Letter to Mr. and Mrs. Abe Turner, Bunch St., Corinth, Mississippi showed return address as: 6806 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California

Also started racing about this time.

1929: Organized, promoted and flew for Nevada Airlines, "The Alimony Express." Flew a Lockheed Vega, and used it in several races, too.

1929: Made headlines by dropping plane by parachute in Los Angeles, set transcontinental speed records New York to LA 20 hrs 20 min and LA to New York 18 hrs 30 min.

Early thirties: Nevada Airlines went bankrupt, Turner started flying for Gilmore Oil Co. Bought lion and Lockheed Air Express in 1930.

1932: Placed third in both Bendix race and Thompson race, flying Wedell-Williams racer under Gilmore name.

1933: Won Bendix race in Wedell-Williams racer.

1934: Won Thompson race in Wedell-Williams racer. Came in second in MacRobertson London to Melbourne race in Boeing 247D with Clyde Pangborn copilot. Featured on cover of TIME.

Entered races throughout thirties.

1936: Roscoe Turner Day and dedication of the Corinth Airport as Roscoe Turner Airport.

1938: Won Thompson Trophy in Laird-Turner racer.

Address on letter postmarked 11/6/1938 to Robert, Francis and Marjorie Turner, Ambassador Hotel, Cushing, Okla. was 540 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill.

1939: Won Thompson Trophy in Laird-Turner racer. Retired from racing after victory.

1939 or 1940: Established flying school in Indianapolis, Ind.

Envelope dated February 5, 1941 showed Roscoe Turner Aeronautical Corp. and Aviation Institute, Municipal Airport, Indianapolis, Indiana Telephone, Belmont 5005

World War II: Flying school trained over 3,300 pilots for government.

1945: Divorced from Carline

1946: married Margaret M. Miller, Friday, December 13 in New York City.

Post war: President, Roscoe Turner Aeronautical Corp, Indianapolis, Indiana - fixed base operator, flying school.

1952: Given Distinguished Flying Cross by Air Force for contri- butions to flying.

1961: April 2, 1961 Second Roscoe Turner Day and dedication of the new Corinth Airport as Roscoe Turner Airport.

1970: Died June 23, 1970 at Indianapolis, Indiana.

1975: Inducted into Aviation Hall of Fame, Dayton, Ohio.

         Data transcription by: Cheryl Hurley, Kossuth High School,
                                October 24, 1992.