This vintage film “Pylon Dusters 1948” presents the National Air Races at Cleveland, Ohio beginning with the Bendix trophy race. It is presented by Kendall Refining Company (:12), formed by Otto Koch in 1918. The movie was produced by Industrial Motion Pictures of Cleveland Ohio (:29). We go to the National Air Races in Cleveland Ohio (:29). These annual races first came to the Cleveland Municipal Airport in 1929. They include transcontinental races, closed course racing and sensational stunts. These are considered to be the final proving grounds for products of laboratories research and development. A pilot drops from his craft with a parachute opened behind him (:45). The parking lot is pictured jammed (1:04). The camera pans over the stadium seats (1:04). Kendall employees sit in the stands under red caps (1:10). The film mentions the Bendix Trophy race (1:18); the opener to the show. Terita Mantz (1:29) stands close by. His father is Paul Mantz; a notable air racing pilot and stuntman. Paul Mantz was attempting to win the Bendix trophy for a third time (1:36). He is pictured in his P-51 (1:46). Linton B. Carney; second place winner (1:55) smiles from the cockpit. Female aviator; Jacqueline Cochran, takes third place (2:07). Engine tests are conducted (2:16). Refueling is conducted with Kendall oil (2:30). Paul grasps the Bendix trophy (2:37). Precision stunt flying follows with two Air Force Reserve men (2:40). The Tinnerman trophy race (2:55) of 1948 begins. Prize purses are mentioned (3:09) as planes buzz around the pylon. The winner of the $500 purse flies by in his North American P-51 (3:42). Bruce Raymond and his Galloping Ghost takes a photo finish (4:09). Bob Uecker flies the Bell P-63 Kingcobra (4:19). Bruce takes his trophy (4:22). The following day features an Ohio handicap race (4:26). The P-38 (4:44) takes its position. The event was planned for the P-63 Kingcobra (4:50), the P-51 Mustang and the P-38 Lightning (4:53). Bob Uecker and his Kingcobra (5:43) wins the $7,500 purse (5:51). Army Air Force crafts fly in formation (6:02). B-29’s cluster the sky (6:08). Lockheed P-80 Shooting Stars stream across the sky (6:22). A B-36 cruises through the air (6:32). A close shot follows (6:42) with a jet fighter escorting. Betty Skelton sits in the candy apple red “Little Stinker” (7:01). Betty was the Women’s National Aerobatic Champion. A Kendal refueling truck appears (7:23). The narrator mentions these races prompted the latest original engineering development designs (7:35). A race begins on the two mile closed course (7:43). The finals played on Labor Day (8:18). The flag is lowered and the crafts take off (8:24). The winner (8:59) was clocked at 169.608 mph. A Beechcraft Bonanza (9:25) performs an aerobatic routine. Pilots refuel (9:55) for the Kendall Trophy Race for female pilots. Female aviators include Kathy Landry (10:08). She steps from the Lockheed Model 9 (10:12). Nancy Corrigan flies the North American T-6 (10:19). Dot Lemon (10:31) is pictured followed by Helen McBride with her North American T-6 (10:44). Grace Harris of Kansas City follows (10:57). Ruth Johnson is pictured (11:09). Betty Clark (11:22) climbs into the cockpit. Planes taxi to position (11:37). Female aviators receive final instruction (11:52). The flags are dropped (11:59). Crafts zoom for the next turn (12:18). Grace Harris takes the lead (12:30). A camera angle follows from one of the fliers (12:37). Grace holds the lead (12:52). Dot and Kathy battle for second position (13:08). Grace runs across the finish line (13:21). Kathy steals second (13:33). Betty takes fourth place (13:42) with Nancy close behind. Grace Harris is greeted by the Vice President of Kendall Refining Company (14:05). She stands amid Kendall employees (14:21). Marine and Navy fliers zoom by (14:31). The Convair R3Y Tradewind (14:39) zooms by. Grumman F8F Bearcats appear (14:46). The famed US Navy Blue Angel team is also featured (14:51). The Thompson Trophy race (15:06) features a North American P-51 (15:10). The race begins (15:29). A corsair is featured (16:07). Bruce Raymond takes second place (16:51). Anson Johnson takes the win (17:02). The F-86 Sabre follows with Major Richard Johnson (17:06). The film concludes with the Kendall logo (18:15).

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