By Robert E. Smith
Lt. N. B. "Nick" Mamer and Art Walker of Spokane, Washington, pioneered the air route that completed that transcontinental section of the company that was later to bear the name Northwest Airlines.
They flew a 300 H.P. Buhl "Sesquiplane" (biplane with short lower wing) in a round trip from the West to the East Coast and back of over 7200 miles in a non-stop flight. Refueling in mid-air, though not the first effort, was transcontinental and in that sense a "first." (In 1923 the first air-to-air refueling was done by U.S. Army pilots who stayed up four days over San Diego. Ira Baker in January 1929 stayed up 150 hours over Los Angeles also.) The idea of coast-to-coast aerial refueling was suggested to Mamer and Walker by an official of the Department of Commerce. Today air-to-air refueling is commonplace and sophisticated. Then it was done by lowering 5-gallon cans of gasoline or using a garden hose from an accompanying Buhl "tanker."
The flight of the Spokane "Sun God" so named as Mamer had been an honorary member of a Montana Indian tribe (regular member of Montana Blackfoot Tribe) for two years hence, beat the endurance record of the Graf Zeppelin (4200 miles) for a non-stop flight . The route they took was Spokane-San Francisco-Wyoming-New York-St. Paul-Aberdeen in the Dakotas to Spokane.
The difficulties they faced en route were like Jack Knight's flights along roads and railroad tracks: by beacon fires that had been prearranged or by the glow of city lights at night. In Rock Springs, Wyoming, difficulty of refueling was due to air temperature and the tanker not being able to "lift off" in the thin air with other than a light load, requiring several trips. The tanker and mother ship could only communicate by dropping messages (one way) to the tanker read by the crew on the ground when it landed.
There was no air communication. Additionally, they ran into snow storms and there was no oxygen over the Rockies. Ten thousand feet altitude was the limit they could fly. During air-to-air refueling, the garden hose was snapped several times and once Mamer was showered with gasoline. Fortunately, it did not ignite. "I guess I needed a bath anyway," he said.
Flying over New York in his 5-day transcontinental flight, he dropped the message at a smaller field: "which way to Roosevelt Field?" An obliging pilot took off and guided Mamer and Walker. Markers were set out in response to their messages at other places.
Mamer went on to join Northwest airlines in pioneering another route to Seattle from Spokane, completing his coast-to-coast experience and winning the air route for that company. He died flying a Lockheed Zephyr 14H with a structural tail defect, in Bozeman, Montana, nine years later in 1938.
He had flown a million miles without a mishap. A cautious, conservative pilot, he was respected by all professionals who knew him. (He was an associate of my father's and a family friend.)
At a now secondary field in Spokane, Washington, is a giant 30-foot, 4-sided clock in near-forgotten quiet tribute to one who, with Art Walker, pioneered the Pacific air route. The field was once a terminus for major airlines, but now is near deserted--forgotten like Mamer and so many air pioneers who helped build big airlines. Next to the clock is a sign of a flight service Mamer shared with Roy Schreck. The clock was put on the National Register of Historic Sites in Washington, DC by present administrator Dennis Locke. Its mechanical works were replaced with electric works and it is maintained by the Spokane County Airport Board.
Art Walker went on to work for Standard Oil. Another of Nick Mamer's partners before his Northwest career, Roy Schreck died in a crash in Montana at age 75 (still operating his own air service) in August 1976.
The Spokane Sun God was a fine ship. New information from Jerry Turner (noseref@peoplepc.com) indicates there are two Buhl Sesquiplanes in existence today (July 2007). One is owned by Greg Herrick of Minnesota, it can fly, and is powered by an original diesel engine. The other is owned by Ed Marquart of California, not flying yet, but the restoration is getting close. Jerry has heard of a third that is back East in a barn. Please see his Web site Nostalgic Reflections for original Buhl photos and factory production records.
Only the Jack Knight Federation lives on to perpetuate those who truly pioneered aviation. In this sense, a philatelic effort contributes to an important phase of American history that should not be forgotten.
Recently (c1982), James McGoldrick wrote the final word in first person accounts One Man's Opinion of the Spokane Aviation Story, published by Ye Galleon Press, Fairfield, Wash. by Glen Adams. Montana and the Sky, by Frank Wiley, c1966 Montana Aeronautics Commission (presently Montana State Department of Transportation, Aeronautics Division) also gives a first-hand account of Nick Mamer's experiences.
In the catalogue of U.S. Souvenir Historical Flights No. 608, this flight is listed as follows:
1929, August 26--Transcontinental Refueling Flight of the "Spokane Sun God." In August of 1929 the plane "Spokane Sun God" took off on a non-stop refueling flight to New York and return. Covers marked "Carried on a non-stop refueling flight Spokane-new York and return." "Spokane Sun God." Autographed by Nick Mamer and Art Walker, pilots. Dated across the stamp 8-15-29 and postmarked "Spokane, Wash." August 26, 3:30 P.M., 1929....$20.00."
(The author of this article would be grateful to any members who could spare a cover at this approximate price to release one from their collection. Or send a photocopy so that he could pass it on to his family, as a memento of of a family and air pioneer friends.) Write Robert E. Smith, 2222 Citron Street, Honolulu, HI 96826, for contact regarding sale, or send photocopy and copy and postal charges will be reimbursed.
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