This home movie gives a glimpse of the National Air Races in Los Angeles in 1928 (September 8-16). This exhibition was held at Mines Field, which is now present day LAX. Footage includes the grandstands, fly-overs including an autogyro performing stunts, and more. (Make sure to watch the end of the film for a funny surprise!) The National Air Races (also known as Pulitzer Trophy 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 showcase for this.

In 1928, the Los Angeles City Council selected 640 acres (1.00 sq mi; 260 ha) in the southern part of Westchester for a new airport for the city. The fields of wheat, barley and lima beans were converted into dirt landing strips without any terminal buildings. It was named Mines Field for William W. Mines, the real estate agent who arranged the deal. Mines Field opened as the airport of Los Angeles in 1930 and the city purchased it to be a municipal airfield in 1937. The name became Los Angeles Airport in 1941 and Los Angeles International Airport in 1949.