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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Winners of the Powder Puff Derby (1947 - 1997)

The first Powder Puff Derby was held in 1929. There was one fatality - Marvel Crosson (the cause of her death is a mystery, but most experts conjecture there was a faulty vent allowing Co2 buidup in the cockpit, which disoriented her and caused her to crash), and the winner was Louise Thaden.

The race was re-inaugurated in 1947, and lasted for 30 years. There were no fatalities during these 29 races (1974 was cancelled due to the national fuel crisis).

March 10-13, 1947. 2 aircraft entered, 3 pilots.Carolyn West won first place. Her copilot was Beatrice Medes. Dianna Bixby never managed to take off, thanks to plane trouble.

June 1-4, 1948
. 6 aircraft (7 pilots). Winner: Frances Nolde.

May 31 - June 3, 1949
. 16 aircraft (27 pilots). Winner: Lauretta Foy and Sue Kindred.

June 11-16, 1950. 33 aircraft (51 pilots) Winner: Jean Parker and Boots Seymour.

August 15-19, 1951. 44 aircraft, (77 pilots). Winner: Claire McMillen and Frances Bera

July 4-9, 1952. 41 aircraft, (68 pilots) Winner: Shirley Blocki Froyd and Martha Baechle

July 3-7, 1953. 49 aircraft, (90 pilots) Winner: Frances Bera and Marcella Drake

July 3-6, 1954. 51 aircraft, 95 pilots. Winner: Ruth Deerman and Ruby Hays.

July 2-6, 1955. 47 aircraft, 90 pilots. Winner: Frances Bera and Edna Bower.

July 7 - 10, 1956. 50 aircraft, 87 pilots. Winner: Frances Bera and Edna Bower

July 6-10, 1957. 49 aircraft, 89 pilots. Winner: Alice Roberts and Iris Critchell.

July 4-8, 1958. 69 aircraft, 129 pilots. Winner: Frances Bera and Evelyn Kelly.

July 4-8, 1959. 66 aircraft, 129 pilots. Winner: Aileen SAunders and Jerelyn Cassell

July 9-13, 1960. 85 aircraft, 157 pilots. Winner: Aileen SAunders and June Douglas.

July 8-12, 1961. 101 aircraft, 201 pilots. Winner: Frances Bera.

July 7-11, 1962. 54 aircraft, 99 pilots. Winner: Frances Bera and Edna Bower

July 13-17, 1963. 47 aircraft, 84 pilots. Winner: Virginia Britt and Lee Winfield

July 4-8, 1964. 61 aircraft, 111 pilots. Winner: Mary Ann Noah and Mary Aikins

July 3-7, 1965. 79 aircraft, 148 pilots. Winner: Mary Ann Noah and Mary Aikins

July 2-5, 1966. 91 aircraf, 165 pilots. Winner: Bernice Steadman and Mary Clark

July 8-11, 1967. 76 aircraft, 145 pilots. Winner: Judy Wagner.

July 6-9, 1968. 81 aircraft, 150 pilors. Winner: Margaret Mead and Billie Herrin.

July 4-7, 1969. 95 aircraft, 172 pilots. Winner: Mara K. Culp

July 3-7, 1970. 98 aircraft, 181 pilots. Winner: Margaret Mead and Susan Oliver.

July 5-8, 1971. 150 aircraft, 288 pilots. Winner: Gini Richardson.

July 7-10, 1972. 105 aircraft, 198 pilots. Winner: Marian Banks and Dottie Sanders.

July 13-16, 1973. 108 aircraft, 191 pilots. Winner: Marian Burje and Ruth Hildebrand.

1974 - due to national fuel crisis, the Powder Puff Derby was cancelled in this year.

July 4-7, 1975. 102 aircraft, 187 pilots. Winner: Trina Jarish

July 9-12, 1976. 200 aircraft, 360 pilots. Winner: Trina Jarish

July 1-4, 1977. 150 aircraft. 331 pilots and passengers. Winner: Patricia Udall and Nan Gaylor

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