J. Clifford Turpin
James Clifford Turpin | |
---|---|
![]() Thomas DeWitt Milling and Turpin in 1912 | |
Born | 6 May 1886 |
Died | January 1966 |
Resting place | , Barnstable, Massachusetts |
Nationality | United States |
Alma mater | Purdue University |
Occupation | Pilot till 1912 |
Employer | Wright Exhibition team |
Known for | Aviation pioneer and exhibition flyer |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Turpin_2163522340_d9404b7f5d_o.jpg/220px-Turpin_2163522340_d9404b7f5d_o.jpg)
James Clifford Turpin (6 May 1886 – January 1966) was a pioneer aviator with the Wright Exhibition Team.[1]
Biography[]
He was born on May 6, 1886.
He attended Purdue University, the first graduate(class of 1908) to receive a pilot's license. Turpin joined the Wright Exhibition team in 1910, flying demonstrations across the country. The group was disbanded in 1911. In May 1912, Turpin rented a Wright Model C for his own exhibitions. While flying his in a Seattle stadium, Turpin clipped an iron railing whilst avoiding a cameraman, and veered into a grandstand, killing two spectators.[2] After the death of his flying partner, Phil Parmalee, in Yakima, Washington, Turpin quit flying.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Clifford_Turpin_1912_Meadows_race-track%2C_Fowler-Gage_biplane_crash.jpg/220px-Clifford_Turpin_1912_Meadows_race-track%2C_Fowler-Gage_biplane_crash.jpg)
He died in January 1966. He was buried in in Barnstable, Massachusetts. Turpin reputedly was the father of one daughter.[3]
External links[]
- J. Clifford Turpin at Find a Grave
- Washington's first airplane fatality occurs at the Meadows Race Track in Georgetown on May 30, 1912.
References[]
- ^ Air and Space Magazine, February 2016 : "Clifford Turpin, King of the Air" by Paul Glenshaw, Retrieved August 18, 2017
- ^ "Premier Performer". Air & Space. April 2008.
- ^ "James Clifford Turpin". Early Aviators. Retrieved 2010-11-04.
- 1886 births
- 1966 deaths
- Members of the Early Birds of Aviation
- Wright brothers
- Aviation accidents and incidents in 1912