"We" : $b The famous flier's own story of his life and his trans-Atlantic flight, together with his views on the future of aviationLindbergh, Charles A. (Charles Augustus)
History
"We" : $b The famous flier's own story of his life and his trans-Atlantic flight, together with his views on the future of aviation
Lindbergh, Charles A. (Charles Augustus)
Aeronautics -- Flights; Air pilots -- Biography; Transatlantic flights
Next morning Lindbergh got up at daybreak and went to Le Bourget where
he found a small black Nieuport 300 H.P. fighting plane awaiting him.
To the delight of the French fliers as well as the populace he went
aloft and began stunting with a skill and ease that stamped him once
and for all an expert. Again he rose a peg in French esteem. Nor was
this a studied performance any more than his modesty in bearing or his
brevity in oratory were studied. It was only another integral part of
the “phenomenon of Lindbergh.”
At noon there was a luncheon at the Ministry of War. Later he was
received by the Senators at the Luxembourg Palace. A reception and
official visits followed. In the evening he attended a gala performance
at the Champs-Élysées Theatre.
The very recital of his festivities and honors grows monotonous.
Next day he left. About eight in the morning he motored to Le Bourget
and put in three hours grooming his plane for its next flight. At noon
he hopped off for Brussels, circling the Eiffel Tower and dropping a
note of good-by and thanks to Paris in the Place de la Concorde on his
way.
II
BRUSSELS
The Belgian reception was one of quiet dignity. King Albert had given
orders that at all costs Lindbergh must come off the field untouched.
The flier landed at the Evere Flying Field near Brussels at exactly
3.15 P.M. The crowd that greeted him was never out of hand. Prime
Minister Jasper came forward at once and said: “I am happy and proud,
my Captain, to be the first man in the name of Belgium to extend to you
our warmest felicitations for your great exploit, which not only draws
nearer our two continents, but the hearts of our people as well.”
As Mr. Gibson, the new American Ambassador to Belgium, was in America
at the time, his place was temporarily occupied by Mr. Dunn, Chargé
d’Affaires. By him Lindbergh was presented to the Duke of Brabant, heir
to the throne, who formally welcomed the visitor in the name of King
Albert. Meanwhile the plane had been carefully wheeled upon a platform
so that everyone might take a look at it.
After motoring to the American Embassy to change his clothes, Lindbergh
laid a wreath on the tomb of Belgium’s unknown soldier.
It was at the reception at the Palace that Lindbergh met his first
king. King Albert treated him with a kind informality characteristic of
that much-loved monarch.
Next morning, Lindbergh slept until nearly nine. Then he went out
to the Evere Airdrome, where he showed his plane to King Albert and
Queen Elizabeth. King Albert in his turn took the visitor to see some
late types of Belgian planes and personally explained their technical
features.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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