On August 31, 1942, radio listeners thrilled to the adventures of Hop Harrigan, "America's Ace of the Airwaves," based on the popular All-American comic book series. Charles Stratton provided the voice of Hop, a fictional WWII pilot who fought in countless battles overseas. Accompanied by his side-kick flying buddy Tank Tinker (voiced by Ken Lynch), Hop flew dangerous missions over Germany and later in the Pacific Theater in the Battle for Okinawa. Unlike traditional pilots though, Hop would frequently leave the cockpit and do some WWII spy work deep behind German enemy lines. Full of action, adventure, & mystery, Hop sprinkled aviation facts/history throughout the show and actively recruited kids to become flyers. Hop was a true American hero who taught listeners that anything was possible.

The series began in 1942 on the ABC Blue network and moved in October 1946 to the Mutual Broadcasting System until it’s final show on February 6, 1948. Much of the run was sustained by the network, although Post's Grape Nuts Flakes and Cocoa Marsh were major sponsors.