"Pat Nelson - Aces of Test Pilots" Front (above)
and Back (below) Covers
*dimensions: 3.6" wide, 4.5" tall, 1.4" thick
Do you remember the scene in
A Christmas Story where the kids Ralphie's the classroom all wear fake
teeth and the teacher, Mrs. Shields, collects them and tosses them into her desk
drawer? That drawer is filled with many formerly confiscated items, including a
copy of "Pat Nelson:
Ace of Test Pilots." Its copyright is 1937, by the Whitman Publishing Company,
in Racine, Wisconsin (part of "The Big Little Book" series*).
Written and illustrated by Dougal Lee, the story is about a daring young pilot who
is regarded by his peers as one of the best test pilots and racing pilots in the
country. Pat's life is one of tragedy and victory. His father was killed during
a robbery that also left his youngest brother, 'The Kid,' paralyzed from a bullet
wound, and his other brother missing after being absconded by the gang of thugs.
Pat's life is equally dedicated to help The Kid get the medical procedure need to
help him walk again (a la Tiny Tim in
A Christmas Carol, by Dickens) and to being the best pilot ever to
take to the skies.
 If you are a fan of A Christmas Story,
you might also enjoy of page on the
Daisy Red Ryder BB
gun: "An official Red Ryder carbon action 200 shot Range model air rifle with
a compass in the stock, and this thing which tells time."
Pat Nelson: Ace
of Test Pilots appeals to me from many aspects. As my
AirplanesAndRockets.com website attests to, I have been a lifelong
lover of aircraft of all types. As my RFCafe.com website attests to,
I have been a lifelong lover of electronics of all types. Furthermore,
A Christmas Story has been my 2nd favorite (behind
It's a Wonderful Life) Christmas movie because the trials and tribulations
of Ralphie are a lot like my own during childhood, and the story takes place in
the 1930s (one of my favorite decades in history). Pat's crippled brother, The Kid,
happens to be an "expert radio Ham" (license number W-103) who is constantly in
contact with Pat when he's in the air (call sign Flight-5), helping to solve crimes
and passing important messages to ground crews. He (The Kid)
was "a true member of that great clan of radio amateurs who never leave their post
when danger threatens."
Pat Nelson is employed by the Stratosphere Airplane Company to help test and
then competitively fly the 'Silver Shadow' pylon racer in contests like the
Reno
Air Races. The Mob tries repeatedly to thwart his efforts by sabotaging the
airplane, kidnapping, having him falsely jailed, and making direct attempts on lives.
A top-notch, mysterious G-Man known only as 'U-9' is summoned to assist as part
of the FBI's organized crime stopping program. The 425 pages are packed with excitement
and intrigue, and as with all good stories, there's a surprise ending! If you're
lucky, you might be able to find a copy of Pat Nelson: Ace of Test Pilots on
eBay.
"Pat Nelson - Aces of Test
Pilots" Title Page and Table of Contents
"Pat Nelson - Aces of Test
Pilots" with 'The Kid' Operating His Ham Radio
"Pat Nelson - Aces of Test
Pilots" with 'The Kid' Operating His Ham Radio (more)
"Pat Nelson - Aces of Test
Pilots" The Stratosphere Airplane Company
Posted December 23, 2012
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