Lowell Smith
Encyclopedia
Lowell Herbert Smith was a pioneer American
airman who piloted the first airplane to receive a complete mid-air refueling (along with Lt.
John P. Richter) on June 27, 1923, and later set an endurance record of 37 hours on August 28, both in a De Havilland DH-4B. Smith also piloted the Douglas World Cruiser
Chicago, which among two others made the first aerial circumnavigation
in 1924. Smith held 16 records for military aircraft in speed, endurance and distance.
(1915), but in 1917 joined the Army Air Service
. In 1919 he found himself able to participate in the Great Transcontinental Air Race. However, on the evening of October 15 his aircraft was destroyed by fire when lanterns being used by mechanics ignited a wing. Smith received permission to continue the race if he could find a replacement aircraft. Prospects seemed dim until Major Carl Andrew Spaatz arrived on October 17. It took only a little pleading before Spaatz agreed to turn over his plane to Smith. Going on to conquer wind and weather, Smith became the first West Coast
flier to complete the round trip when he arrived in San Francisco
on October 21. In 1936, Smith was appointed to the War Department
Board for standardizing airplane design and procurement procedures. Under his guidance from February 1942 to March 1943, Davis-Monthan
became the top training base for B-17 and B-24 crews during World War II
.
Smith died from injuries suffered when he fell from a horse in the Catalina Foothills, Arizona
, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery
. Lowell H. Smith Elementary School in Tucson, Arizona
was named after him.
Lowell H. Smith lead the first military expedition of flight around the world. Another flyer began leading the flight from San Francisco, but crashed his plane in Alaska, therefore, Smith took over leadership of the expedition. During the stopover in Thailand he developed dysentary from which he did not recover until the expeditionary flight was completed.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
airman who piloted the first airplane to receive a complete mid-air refueling (along with Lt.
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
John P. Richter) on June 27, 1923, and later set an endurance record of 37 hours on August 28, both in a De Havilland DH-4B. Smith also piloted the Douglas World Cruiser
Douglas World Cruiser
-References:NotesBibliography* Francillon, René J. McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Since 1920: Volume I. London: Putnam, 1979. ISBN 0-87021-428-4.* Swanborough, F.G. and Peter M. Bowers. United States Military Aircraft since 1909. London: Putnam, 1963....
Chicago, which among two others made the first aerial circumnavigation
First aerial circumnavigation
The first aerial circumnavigation of the world was conducted in 1924 by a team of aviators of the United States Army Air Service, the precursor of the United States Air Force...
in 1924. Smith held 16 records for military aircraft in speed, endurance and distance.
Biography
Smith was born October 8, 1892 and first became an aviator for the Mexican ArmyMexican Army
The Mexican Army is the combined land and air branch and largest of the Mexican Military services; it also is known as the National Defense Army. It is famous for having been the first army to adopt and use an automatic rifle, , in 1899, and the first to issue automatic weapons as standard issue...
(1915), but in 1917 joined the Army Air Service
United States Army Air Service
The Air Service, United States Army was a forerunner of the United States Air Force during and after World War I. It was established as an independent but temporary wartime branch of the War Department by two executive orders of President Woodrow Wilson: on May 24, 1918, replacing the Aviation...
. In 1919 he found himself able to participate in the Great Transcontinental Air Race. However, on the evening of October 15 his aircraft was destroyed by fire when lanterns being used by mechanics ignited a wing. Smith received permission to continue the race if he could find a replacement aircraft. Prospects seemed dim until Major Carl Andrew Spaatz arrived on October 17. It took only a little pleading before Spaatz agreed to turn over his plane to Smith. Going on to conquer wind and weather, Smith became the first West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
flier to complete the round trip when he arrived in San Francisco
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
on October 21. In 1936, Smith was appointed to the War Department
United States Department of War
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department , was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army...
Board for standardizing airplane design and procurement procedures. Under his guidance from February 1942 to March 1943, Davis-Monthan
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
Davis–Monthan Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located within the city limits, and approximately south-southeast of downtown, Tucson, Arizona....
became the top training base for B-17 and B-24 crews during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Smith died from injuries suffered when he fell from a horse in the Catalina Foothills, Arizona
Catalina Foothills, Arizona
Catalina Foothills is a census-designated place located north of Tucson in Pima County, Arizona, United States. Situated in the southern foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Catalina Foothills had a population of 53,794 at the 2000 census...
, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
. Lowell H. Smith Elementary School in Tucson, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
was named after him.
Lowell H. Smith lead the first military expedition of flight around the world. Another flyer began leading the flight from San Francisco, but crashed his plane in Alaska, therefore, Smith took over leadership of the expedition. During the stopover in Thailand he developed dysentary from which he did not recover until the expeditionary flight was completed.