BAILING WIRE, CHEWING GUM and GUTS by Bill Rhode

        Excitement, pathos, tales of courage, tales of foolhardiness -
these are some of the ingredients of Bill Rhode's fascinating story of
the men and machines that made up the Gates Flying Circus - a story
not only of an intrepid group of flyers but also a story of a crucial
period in the development of American commercial aviation.

        Starting on the West Coast after the first World War, Ivan R.
Gates collected a group of the greatest stunt flyers and some surplus
aircraft, many of which were literally held together by wires and
prayers, and organized the most famous of the barnstorming ensembles
of the Twenties.

        Bill Rhode describes the spine-tingling maneuvers which kept
the vast earthbound crowds open-mouthed and gasping ... he describes
the incredible obstacles that faced the group in such matters as
maintenance and fuel procurement (though in most instances the fuel
and lubricants were contributed by Texaco) ... he describes the fierce
motivation of the dauntless pilots... and he describes the importance
of their activities in establishing the position of the aeroplane in
the commerce of the country.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

        The "Kid" of Baling Wire, Chewing Gum, and Guts cut his
aviation teeth over 40 years ago at the Teterboro Airport.  Bill Rhode
became a professional parachutist, participating in the principal air
shows of the thirties, including the famous National Air Races at
Cleveland.  During the Second World War he served with honor as a
tailgunner on B-17 bombers over Germany. For his bravery and service
he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with
four Oak Leaf Clusters.

        After the war, never abandoning his great love for aviation,
Bill Rhode opened his own parachute loft (his slogan "Yes-Our
Parachutes Are Guaranteed") and continued to take part in various
air shows. Then, deciding that he wanted to impart some of his
enthusiasm to others, he began a distinguished career as a flying
instructor, at which he is still engaged whenever he is not writing
one of his many stories for flying magazines.

        Bill Rhode is a well known collector of books, photographs,
and other aviation ephemera.  His five children, one of whom is in the
U.S. Marines, and the mortgage on the  old homestead, occupy his spare
time.


      Bill Rhode.  BAILING WIRE, CHEWING GUM, and GUTS: The Story of
              the Gates Flying Circus.   Port Washington, NY:
              Kennikat Press, 1970. ISBN 0-8046-1424-5


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