Art Chester
Encyclopedia
Art Chester was an American
air racer
of the 1930s and 1940s.
characters. The Chester Jeep
, Chester Goon, and Chester Swee Pea.
In September 1930, Chester bought a Davis D-1-85
parasol, and flew it to victory in the National Air Races
. Chester's "Jeep" became a formidable racer. The aircraft would be towed from race site to race site with Chester driving a matching colored Auburn boat tailed speedster.
During World War II
, Chester went to work for North American Aviation
as a 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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
air racer
Air racing
- History :The first ever air race was held in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1908. The participants piloted the only 4 airships in the U.S. around a course located at Forest Park...
of the 1930s and 1940s.
Early life
Art Chester was a Barnstormer of the 1930s. He developed a series of successful air racers named after PopeyePopeye
Popeye the Sailor is a cartoon fictional character created by Elzie Crisler Segar, who has appeared in comic strips and animated cartoons in the cinema as well as on television. He first appeared in the daily King Features comic strip Thimble Theatre on January 17, 1929...
characters. The Chester Jeep
Chester Jeep
|-See also:...
, Chester Goon, and Chester Swee Pea.
In September 1930, Chester bought a Davis D-1-85
Davis D-1
-References:*Green, William, The Aircraft of the World, 1965, MacDonald & Co Ltd, no isbn*Simpson, R.W., Airlife's World Aircraft, Airlife Publishing Ltd, 2001, ISBN 1-84037-115-3-External links:*...
parasol, and flew it to victory in the National Air Races
National Air Races
The National Air Races were a series of pylon and cross-country races that took place in the United States from 1920 to 1949. The science of aviation, and the speed and reliability of aircraft and engines grew rapidly during this period; the National Air Races were both a proving ground and...
. Chester's "Jeep" became a formidable racer. The aircraft would be towed from race site to race site with Chester driving a matching colored Auburn boat tailed speedster.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Chester went to work for North American Aviation
North American Aviation
North American Aviation was a major US aerospace manufacturer, responsible for a number of historic aircraft, including the T-6 Texan trainer, the P-51 Mustang fighter, the B-25 Mitchell bomber, the F-86 Sabre jet fighter, the X-15 rocket plane, and the XB-70, as well as Apollo Command and Service...
as a 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
Formula One Air Racing
Formula One Air Racing is an American motorsport that involves small aircraft using engines up to 200 cubic inches in displacement. Racers can reach speeds over 200 mph.- History :...
. 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.