Magyar News, 2001. szeptember-2002. augusztus (12. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2002-06-01 / 10. szám
more. Could it be, then, that these immigrants from a small central European nation played a role in something so weighty as the invention of the airplane? Of course, Hungarians are known for many achievements - films, vitamins, nuclear power, music, aerodynamics and biology. So, why not the invention of the airplane? Of course, the debate continues to rage on as to whether Whitehead should eclipse the Wright Brothers as the inventor of the airplane. And, it is true that Whitehead's proponents have had little success in convincing the Smithsonian Institute's officials of Whitehead's preeminence. Nevertheless, there is considerable agreement concerning Gustave Whitehead's significance as a contributor to the science of flying. And a good number of Hungarians played supportive roles in his achievements. Whitehead is Finally Honored Anton Pruckner lived to see the partial vindication of his boss when in 1964 there was a graveside ceremony at which a new gravestone was commemorated, naming Gustave Whitehead the "Father of Connecticut Aviation". Present that day were members of every branch of the military reserve armed forces, as well as the Whitehead children. Pruckner was elated that Whitehead had at last received some recognition, though it was posthumous. The gravestone inscription read as follows: GUSTAVE WHITEHEAD January 1, 1874 - October 10, 1927 AVIATION PIONEER, DESIGNER AND BUILDER OF MANY AIRCRAFT AND GLIDERS. A STUDENT OF LILIENTHAL, HE CLAIMED TO HAVE MADE SUCCESSFUL FLIGHTS IN NUMBERS 21 AND 22 OF HIS AIRCRAFT. THESE FLIGHTS WERE CLAIMED TO HAVE BEEN MADE IN FAIRFIELD, BRIDGEPORT, AND LORDSHIP IN 1901 AND 1902. WE HEREBY WISH TO PLACE THIS HEADSTONE AS A LASTING TRIBUTE TO HIS EFFORTS AND GENIUS FOR HIS TIME. CONNECTICUT AERONAUTICAL HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION August 15, 1964 An official statement by then Connecticut governor John Dempsey included the observation that "Apparently, it will never be possible to settle the controversy over the question of whether Gustave Whitehead's plane actually made a flight as he claimed. There is, however, no doubt that his inventive genius contributed much to the aviation in industry which now occupies so prominent a place in Connecticut's economy." There are those who respectfully disagree with the late Governor's conclusion about the controversy, but heartily agree with his statement about Whitehead's contribution. Gustave Whitehead was also honored by his country of birth. At the Petersdorf Airport in Bavaria, Germany, a hangar was named "Gustav Weisskopf (his original name) Halle". A native Bavarian, Waldemar Leinert, built a number of models of Whitehead's various aircraft, working from photographs and drawings, including the first known flying scale model of the 1901 airplane. On-going efforts to vindicate Whitehead are underway in Germany, the land of his birth. Interested readers may wish to search the internet for details under "Gustave Whitehead", and especially under www.deepsky.eom// The Quest Continues Now we come to the role of Andy Kosch, co-author of "Whitehead's Hungarian Helper's". A science teacher by profession, a hang-glider instructor and judo coach by avocation, and a licensed pilot, Andy became fascinated with the Whitehead story about twenty years ago. He, along with his partners, Bill and Jim Wargo, assisted by Henry and Dick Lomberg and John Hudock, led the effort to construct a full sized replica of Whitehead's "21" airplane, and actually flew it. The replica was powered by two "weed hopper" engines totaling twenty horsepower, which matched the horsepower of the original plane. These engines were of the type used in ultralight aircraft, since it would have been difficult and expensive to reproduce Whitehead's original powerplant. It is interesting to note that Whitehead's engine on the "21" plane burned acetylene. On December 29, 1986, Andy made a total of twenty flights with the plane, the longest flight being 330 feet. The replica is on display in a hangar at the Captain's Cove, in Bridgeport, Connecticut at the head of Black Rock Harbor, near an area where Gustave Whitehead pursued his dream of powered flight. Kaye Williams, the creator of Captain's Cove, one of Bridgeport's most successful enterprises, financed the construction of the replica. Andy, with the support of other dedicated individuals, is enthusiastically continuing the work of Stella Randolph and Major William J. O'Dwyer, hoping to shed additional light on the accomplishments of Gustave Whitehead. He hopes to find that "smoking gun" that will give Gustave Whitehead recognition as the "FIRST TO FLY". This is where you readers come in. Perhaps somewhere in your attic, or in that of your parents or grandparents is a letter, a photograph, or, hopefully, a diary which will corroborate in an authoritative fashion the early flights of Whitehead. Even though all of the eyewitnesses are now gone, perhaps there is evidence tucked away in some obscure comer. . Out there somewhere, perhaps among the descendants of "Whitehead's Hungarian Helpers" is the information needed to change American history. If you have anything you think might be helpful, please contact Andrew J. Kosch, Jr. at 300 Linwood Avenue, Fairfield, CT 06430, telephone 203-255-4071. Gustav-Weißkopt-Muscum Eröffnung 24. April 1987 Gustav Weißkopf 14.8,190! Karljathol8.8.1903 Gebr. Wright 17.12.1903 A German commemorative stamp putting Whitehead (Weiskopf) as the first There is much more to the Gustave Whitehead story than could be included in this brief article, and for those readers whose curiosity has been aroused, the substantial works of Stella Randolph (The Story of Gustave Whitehead Before the Wrights Flew; Lost Flights of Gustave Whitehead) and with William J. O'Dwyer (History by Contract), on whose findings much of this article has been based, should be consulted. Their research has been monumental, and if it comes to pass that Gustave Whitehead receives his due national and international recognition, it will be in great measure to the work of Miss Randolph and Major O'Dwyer. About the Authors: Bob Kranyik is a retired professor and dean from the University of Bridgeport, who has maintained a lifelong interest in airplanes. He enjoys writing, sailing, and working on the geneology of his Hungarian family. Andy Kosch is a science teacher in the Connecticut State Technical School System, and a long time hang-glider enthusiast. He continues to work at seeking further information about the Whitehead story. Page 5
