THE ART
CHESTER STORY � BARNSTORMER & AIR RACING PILOT 1930s 1940s MENASCO
CALER ILLUSTRATED SERIES
SOFTBOUND BOOK in ENGLISH by JOHN W. CALER with JOHN UNDERWOOD
-------------------------
Additional Information from
Internet Encyclopedia
Art Chester (1899�1949) was an
American barnstormer and air racer of the 1930s and 1940s. Chester was
instrumental in the development of the Menasco Pirate and Buccaneer inverted inline
engines. He was also the designer of the propeller spinner and engine front
cowling for the North American North American P-51 fighter.
In September 1930, Chester
bought a Davis D-1-85 parasol, and flew it to victory in the National Air
Races. He later developed a series of successful air racers named after Popeye
cartoon and comic strip characters. His designs were the Chester Jeep, Chester
Goon, and Chester Swee Pea.[2] Chester's "Jeep" became a formidable
racer.
He would be tow his aircraft
from race site to race site, driving a matching colored Auburn boat tailed
speedster. Chester's "Jeep" and "Goon" were powered by
Menasco Motors Company engines, which he tuned for maximum performance and
reliability. Al Menasco took note of Chester's engine building and tuning
skills. In 1939 Chester was hired by Menasco as an engine designer to help
develop the Menasco Pirate and Buccaneer inverted inline aircraft engines.
During World War II, Chester
went to work for North American Aviation as an engineer employing his racing
experience on new designs.
Chester was the president of the
Professional Race Pilots Association and early promoter of midget air racing,
the forerunner to Formula One Air Racing. Chester died when his V-tailed racer
Swee Pea II crashed in the slipstream of other racers at a San Diego meet.
Chester had entered every National air race held since 1929 until his death.
