Air Records Are Shattered by Army Aviators -- April 17, 2023

O'Neill City Nebraska Frontier, 26-April-1923

In October, 2022 we noted the 100th anniversary of United States Army Air Service Lieutenants John A Macready and Oakley G Kelly setting an endurance record, keeping their single engine Fokker T-2 monoplane in the air for 36 hours, 4 minutes, and 32 seconds. They had initially set out to fly from San Diego to New York, but turned back because of bad weather. They decided to use their load of fuel and oil to set an endurance record, by flying in great circles over San Diego. They received the Mackay Trophy in acknowledgment of their achievement:
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2022/10/record-endurance-flight-35-hours.html

On 17-April-1923 Macready and Kelly set a new endurance record. Their next goal was another attempt at a non-stop flight across the US. Harold R Harris was a test pilot who established several firsts.

Omaha Bee, 18-April-1923

Air Records Are

Shattered by

Army Aviators

French Sustained Flying Time

Is Exceeded by Americans

-- Speed Marks Are

Lowered.

Dayton, O., April 17. -- A new official record for sustained flying was set by Lieuts. J. A. MacReady and Oakley Kelly in the army monoplane T-2 at 8:02 tonight. At that time, they had completed the 71st lap of the 31 1-8-mile course, and had been in the air 34 hours, 24 minutes, 54.4 seconds, eclipsing the French record of 34 hours and 19 minutes by five minutes and 54 seconds.

Lieut, Harold Harris, flying a De Haviland B-4. established a new record for 1,500 kilometers, making the distance in 8 hours and 9 minutes, or at the rate of about 114 miles an hour.

Records Are Broken.

The previous record made today by Lieutenants MacRady and Kelly was at the rate of 73 miles an hour. The French record was 62 miles an hour. Lieutenants MacReady and Kelly also established records for 2,500 kilometers of 21 hours, 37 minutes, 30 5-10 seconds, and for 3,000 kilometers of 26 hours, 1 minute. 32 2-10 seconds.

Harris maintained an average speed of 114 miles per hour throughout his flight. His time for 1,000 kilometers was 8 hours and 9 minutes, and for 2,000 kilometers was 10 hours and 53 minutes.

This flight began at 6:28 this morning and was conducted over the triangular course, over which Lieutenants MacReady and Kelly are flying to set a new endurance record.

Harris landed at 5:21 p. m. and appeared In excellent condtion. He expressed great satisfaction over his success. Harris also holds the world's speed record for 1,000-kilometer course, set here in an aerial derby March 31.

Harris flew a rebuilt De Haviland 4-B in his flight.

Prepare to Land.

First word from MacReady and Kelly was received this afternoon, when a note dropped from the monoplane T-2 was found at Wilbur Wright field. This note read:

"Wilbur Wright Field: We will probably land about 9 or 10 o'clock. Have searchlights placed to give us the longest approach and landing area so that we can land into tho wind with our left side to the lightest part. Provide some menus that will enable us to tell the direction of the wind -- smoke might do."

Immediate preparations for the landing were begun, as soon as this note was received.

Washington Evening Star, 26-April-1923