Vanderbilt Cup Races

One more answer - possibly the driving is shooing away any chickens or bird that might be getting in the way.

From Mystery Painting #4 Solved: A 1962 Peter Helck Painting of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Not much time or energy this weekend but here’s what I say:
1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race - George Robertson and Glenn Etheridge in the Locomobie (16) and George Salzman driving a Thomas (12)

From Mystery Painting #4 Solved: A 1962 Peter Helck Painting of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

I vaguely remember air shows at Mitchel and troops parading in the Quad.  The F-82 Twin Mustang out of Mitchel which crashed near Hofstra in Hempstead on 04 May 1949 is noted on my Aviation page 5, <http://sbiii.com/aviatn-5.html#twin>, under F-82 Twin Mustang.  Also, as I recall, there was a semi-buried rifle and pistol range over on the south-west end of the Field and a commercial radio station operated (and may still operate) out of an old communications building.  LIRR steam loco #35 sat next to the westernmost hangar for many years before being moved up to Oyster Bay.  Sam, III

From Mitchel Field Aerials Part I: 1923-1928

*ID race, cars, drivers/mechanics:  VCR 10/24/1908. Locomobile #16- George Robertson/Glenn Ethridge ( Winners ).  Thomas #12-George Saltzman/Blancard ( 5th place. I guess Blancard is a surname ).

*What is the driver on the left doing? Described in one of Helck’s books:  This required a visit to The Half Hollow Hills Public Library ( an “all library” internet search showed they have both of Peter Helck’s books….Great Auto Races and The Checkered Flag. The following is a forward submitted by George Robertson in The Checkered Flag, pg. 75, 3rd paragraph:  In 1908, though, we had our day, I had outrun Haupt’s Chadwick but Herb Lytle, in the Isotta, was pushing me hard for the lead. We came up to one of the slower cars which was bouncing all over the road. It’s crew was unaware of us. We shouted, then I raced the motor to get attention. We were losing precious seconds. In desperation I unhooked a tire iron and let fly at the car ahead. My fine mechanic, Glenn Ethridge, grinned. We got by. So, Mr. Robertson on the left is in the process of flinging the tire iron at the Thomas #12 ( Saltzman/Blancard ). The Thomas ended up in 5th place. I guess they weren’t injured by the projectile.

*ID Peter Helck in the painting/rationale:  Peter Helck ( June 1893 - April 1988 ) is a teenager in 1908. He could have witnessed any of the VCR’s. I believe he’s the gentleman in light blue attire, wearing black boots. His right arm is resting on the end fence post. He looks “age” appropriate for 1962 ( 69 yrs old ).

I read that Mr. Helck had an superb memory. This painting displays this. He could have also utilized a photograph to create the painting. But I doubt that. I believe this painting was inspired by Mr. Robertson’s re-collection of the “tire iron” moment during the 1908 VCR.

This location may be an actual part of the course, Howard. I decided on 2 of your past blogs. 9/23/09 Film “Old 16 Locomobile”. At a 1:14 sec., there’s a “opposite view” of the #16 proceeding onward from a right curve. The surrounding area is similar to this painting. 3/20/13 LIMP First Highway in the World ( Michael Spiteri ). At :45 sec., a #7 car is proceeding onward from a right curve, then a #12 soon coming from behind ( Matheson #7 & Thomas #12 were entrants in the 1908 VCR ). The surrounding area is similar to this painting as well. Or maybe I’m stretching my imagination too far, LOL!

Many thanks to your website here Howard and The Half Hollow Hills Public Library.

From Mystery Painting #4 Solved: A 1962 Peter Helck Painting of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

I think this might be the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup race with the #16 car being the Locomobile (driver George Robertson, mechanician Glenn Etheridge) and # 12 car being the Thomas (driver George Salzman, mechanician Blancard). Since Peter Helck would have been 15 years old in 1908, I’m guessing he is the boy waving directly above the number 6 on the Locomobile. Could the driver be signaling to the 12 car that he is going to attempt to pass?

From Mystery Painting #4 Solved: A 1962 Peter Helck Painting of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

-Identify the race, race cars, drivers and mechanicians in the painting

According to the poster on the pole in the painting, it’s the 4th VCR on October 24, 1908. The #16 Locomobile driven by George Robertson/Mechanician: Glenn Ethridge is following the #12 Thomas driven by George Salzman/Mechanician: Blancard

-What is the the driver on the left doing? Hint: It is described in one of Peter Helck’s books

I’ve been unable to locate the answer on this one without the book, but the funny answer is he’s beating the Loco like a horse and jockey to try and muster up the HP to pass the Thomas!

-Peter Helck painted himself into the photo. Where is he? Provide a rationale.

The figure in blue with his hand resting on the fence post in the center looks like it could be him wearing beret similar to the one Helck would frequently wear.

From Mystery Painting #4 Solved: A 1962 Peter Helck Painting of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

I too remember as a kid eating dinner with planes flying right over the house, as well as the plane that crashed about a half mile away on Prospect Avenue.  During the ‘70’s I participated in autocross events at Mitchell Field put on by various car clubs (these are timed runs with your car through a course set up with traffic cones).  We also used to sneak onto the police training course there with our cars - great fun in the snow.  As a graduate of and adjunct professor at Nassau Community College, as well as a life long resident of East Meadow, I find these photos absolutely fascinating.  Thanks so much Howard.  BTW, congratulations on the great article on your Tucker in Hemmings Classic Car.

From Mitchel Field Aerials Part I: 1923-1928

Hi! I’m interested in purchasing a print of he “champion seeks other worlds to conquer” poster. Do you know where I might be able to find it?
_______________________________
Howard Kroplick

Lauren, please forward your email address to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and I will send you a jpeg.

From Sports Car Illustrated "110 years ago William K. Vanderbilt Jr. sets new speed record"

FYI… that orange plane near the Swimming pool is a Skyfarer not an Ercoupe.
____________________________
Howard Kroplick

Dick, good catch! you are 100% correct.

From Cradle of Aviation Archives: The Aircraft of the Long Island Aviation Country Club Part I

Lewis Flink’ son Joe attended and saved magazines from this race.  Looking for more photos, very sharp memory.  Contact available if of interest.

Gary C
Elva registry
Vineland, NJ Speedway

From Archives: 1960 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Incredible remembrances….

From Mitchel Field Aerials Part I: 1923-1928

WOW. That Spartan. What a neat plane. it was good to be rich back then,eh?

From Cradle of Aviation Archives: The Aircraft of the Long Island Aviation Country Club Part I

They really did it nicely….Land your plane, jump in to a cool pool and relax….

This, including the videos, has been enjoyable ...

Thanks Howard…

From Cradle of Aviation Archives: The Aircraft of the Long Island Aviation Country Club Part I

Great pictures of the L.I.A.C.C. in Levittown Specifically the one by the pool. You can see how flat the land was on Long Island in certain places.

From Cradle of Aviation Archives: The Aircraft of the Long Island Aviation Country Club Part I

Great to see Willie K in this rare and short video during this time! Rare as it is, it showed his appreciation and character never seen before. I’m hoping more of the same is still out there to observe. These years were tough for videos. Thanks again Howard for extending history as never seen before.

From Cradle of Aviation Archives: The Aircraft of the Long Island Aviation Country Club Part I

These photos from 1923 - 1928 pre-date the major reconfiguration in which the layout of the Base was significantly altered, not the least of which was the formation of the Parade Grounds /  Quadrangle, still in existence today. 

Virtually all of the brick buildings still standing now were constructed in the period between 1928 - 1932.  Concrete runways would also follow as biplanes gave way to heavier aircraft prone to getting stuck in the mud (literally) when the Spring thaw came. 

Dramatic expansion of the Base came with the arrival of WW II, extending to the north the railroad tracks (a remnant of the old Central Railroad of LI founded by Alexander Stewart and later taken over by the LIRR) and Ellington Avenue. 

An early attempt to try and reclaim property to the west of the Base, once part of Camp Mills used during WW I in East Garden City was abandoned when the Military acquired the Santini Area, immediately to the south of Hempstead Turnpike, west of Merrick Ave., north of Front St. and east of Cunningham St. in Uniondale, a one time proposed residential housing development by the Santini Brothers which never materialized due to the Depression. 

Also acquired at or about the same time was the narrow tract of land through Barnum Woods on the Uniondale / East Meadow Border, property that was never developed by the Military due to Santini becoming available.  Years later, Robert Moses used Eminent Domain to get that property for the construction of the Meadowbrook Parkway extension in 1954, cutting through both the Cold Stream Golf Club (property once existing as part of the Vanderbilt estate) as well as the Meadowbrook Golf Club in the process. 

The unprecedented explosion of population on the Hempstead Plains following the War foretold the inevitable closure of the Base in April, 1961 after a series of high profile plane crashes, often involving civilians.  Particularly hard hit were the areas of Hempstead, Uniondale and East Meadow, directly in the final approach flight path to the airfield.  Soon afterwards, Nassau Community College vacated its original facilities in the basement of the County Courthouse Building in Mineola and moved to Mitchel, where it has been ever since.

From Mitchel Field Aerials Part I: 1923-1928

Mystery Friday Painting #4…The race shown here in the pic is the October 24, 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. The #16 car is the Locomobiile driven by George Robertson with Glenn Ethridge as mechanician. The #12 car is a Thomas driven by George Salzman with Blancard as mechanician. The Locomobile won the race and the Thomas came in fifth. I don’t have the Peter Helck’s book mentioned above so my guess is that driver Robertson is threatening the Thomas crew ahead of him in an effort to let Robertson pass the Thomas. As for Peter Heck painting himself into the scene, I want to believe that he is shown second from left holding a sketch pad. As an artist he would be trying to sketch the scene as best he could during the race.

From Mystery Painting #4 Solved: A 1962 Peter Helck Painting of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Very nice site; I enjoyed your presentations.

As a side note, I am retired from Allison Transmission of Indianapolis, Indiana. The founder of Allison Transmission was James A. Allison, which had an island named after him called “Allison Island” in your area of Miami Beach. Jim Allison and Carl Fisher were co-partners in the founding of the Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway; and as friends, bought property in the Miami Beach area. On this island Jim Allison built a mansion, hospital and an aquarium; which have by now been torn down or repurposed I’m sure. I believe Carl Fisher was also into real estate in the area.
As a modest request, as a retired historian for Allison Transmissions, I would greatly appreciate any historical information, pictures, etc. that you may have access to for the benefit of James A. Allison as it relates to his stay in Miami.

Thank you in advance. Neil Rude
                        Historian, Rolls-Royce Allison Division Indianapolis
                        6626 Ladoga Road
                        North Salem, Indian 46165
                        email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

From William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Alva Base on Fisher Island in Florida

Moved into east meadow in 1953. Remember going there to watch my father train on plane fires which inspired me to become a firefighter.  Remember a couple of plane crashes that came out or returned to Mitchell field,especially the one on prospect ave across from the temple
__________________________________________________
Howard Kroplick

Paul, I was an eyewitness to that airplane crash. I was delivering Newsday on a snowy Saturday afternoon.  The plane crashed three blocks from where I was standing.

From Mitchel Field Aerials Part I: 1923-1928

David Lenchner My Dad used to take me to the commissary and the PX and as a young kid, I always enjoyed walking around the base and seeing the planes.

Carol Danderline Stillwell Eckardt lots of memories of Mitchel Field. As a teenage, a hangout. Oh the good old days…

Perry W Los Kamp When Mitchell was abandoned it was the perfect place to race cars.

Jeff S Gutterman I remember.the planes. In 57-58 we had a pet rabbit, cleverly named Hops, that would jump and kick out of control when they went over. Hops scared me much more than the planes!

Al Gutterman Forgot all about Hops!. No picturtes of Hops taken with the old Argus?

Rob Saftler I remember all the flying boxcars lined up. And after it closed the car club I belonged to have the matches there

Maria Lume-Lasurdo Yep! Whole house would tremble

Chip Bertelle Who remembers the old planes the would be burned at Mitchell Field and the black billowing smoke that you could for miles?

Kevin C Appel I worked at Mitchell field Navy commissary as a teenager, cheap ciggies

Andy Jacek always a great area to explore…..

Linda Burros Sonic Booms!

Rob Voit I used to date a girl form Westbury in mid 70’s….her mother when she was young used to fly out of Mitchell Field on fun flights with Charles Lindbergh.

Ralph K Taylor I remember MAB liquor. ... Mitchell Air Base liquor

Shawn B. Finnerty Never knew it stood for that

Linda May Sava-Sawitsky It’s still there.

Chris Tarantino Brajuka Dad used to take us up on the roof to watch them fly over.

Rhonda Levy Is that the college . my kid goes to Nassau got old some old buildings.

Camille Tucci Yes I do . Lots of sonic booms

John Anthony Half my neighbor hood worked or belonged there

Kenneth M. Carlstrom I’m wondering what year it closed. (1960 maybe?). I know the Air Force General donated the football bleachers to St. Raphael’s. A bunch of Father Motts altar boys were drafted into taking them down, reinstalling and painting them blue and gold at “Angel Field”.

Howard Kroplick: Mitchel Field closed in 1961 with most of the property going to Nassau County including land for the Cradle of Aviation Museum , Nassau Community College and the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum

From Mitchel Field Aerials Part I: 1923-1928