Stinson

"f86sabre" (f86sabre) 01/16/2016 at 20:42 • Filed to: Planelopnik

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Katherine Stinson and her Jenny. The fourth certified female pilot in the US and the first to receive an airmail contract. She was an early barnstormer. Her success in aviation inspired her brothers to start Stinson Aircraft. When the US entered WWI she volunteered to drive ambulance in Europe.

For Sweden > f86sabre 01/16/2016 at 20:46

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What was her best lap time at Le Mans in said ambulance?

f86sabre > For Sweden 01/16/2016 at 20:50

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She predates the circuit, but I'm guessing she wasn't one to spare the ponies.

For Sweden > f86sabre 01/16/2016 at 20:52

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RIP ponies who just wanted to run free :(

ttyymmnn > f86sabre 01/16/2016 at 22:22

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It was her brother Eddie who started the company, and he died on January 26, 1932 in a crash landing of one of his planes, a Stinson Detroiter. At the time of his death, he was the most experienced pilot in the world, with over 16,000 hours logged. Katherine sounds like a neat lady. I like including women in my history posts whenever possible, since they are so under-represented in aviation.

f86sabre > ttyymmnn 01/17/2016 at 08:35

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Agreed. There is a lot of interesting history out there. I'm sure the response to a lady barnstormer at the time would have been interesting and shocking.