Page 22 - All About History 48 - 2017 UK

DAREDEVILS

How to

BECOMEABARNSTORMER

JUMP INTO THE COCKPIT AND JOIN THE FAMOUS AERIAL CIRCUS USA, 1918-36

In a world where automobiles were still an
exciting luxury, the thrill of flying was hard to Stunt performers
forget for many World War I military-trained The stunt men and women risked
pilots. The surplus of planes that the USA had their lives, dancing, playing and doing
after the war were selling for a knock-down acrobatics on the wings of the plane.
price, so many pilots purchased them to take
to the skies and make a living entertaining Rickety plane
crowds. No licence was needed and there Maintained on a very meagre budget, the
were no airspace regulations, which allowed old World War I biplanes were swift, light
the rapid set up of aerial circuses. Towns and agile in the air.
would grind to a halt when the barnstormers
rumbled across the skies as people relished the Village crowds
chance to see an aeroplane for the first time, Thetowncametoastandstillwhenthe
not to mention go for a ride in one. barnstormers arrived – everyone rushed
toseethepilotsputonafantasticshow.
Pilot
WHAT YOU’LL The person in the cockpit needed nerves

NEED… of steel, and be able to deftly wield their
aircraft into breathtaking and death-
PLANE defying mid-air manoeuvres.
Makeshift airfield

Any large field would do, even better if it had
a large barn to fly the plane through, soaring
just inches off the ground.
GOGGLES

FUEL

BARN

Buy your plane Assembleyourtroop
Ifyouhavereturnedfromthewarbutareoutofwork, A like-minded group of individuals is essential for
PARACHUTE 01then perhaps a career in barnstorming is for you. There 02 your aerial act to work. Put the word out among your
areplentyofthrillsandspillstobehadforanadventuroussoul.
flying connections and make sure you pick the most daring,
Thefirstthingyou’llneedtodoispurchaseyourplane.Thereis imaginative and skilled pilots for the job. Stunts and tricks are
a surplus of Curtiss JN-4 ‘Jenny’ biplanes out there, which can essential to entertain townspeople and keep the dollars rolling in,
be yours for about $200. so a few specialist stunt performers are great assets to have.

22