The Pioneers of Air-to-Air Refueling: First Operations and Groundbreaking Pilots

Introduction

Air-to-air refueling has been a crucial aspect of aviation for over a century. However, it wasn't until the early 1920s that the first serious aerial refuelings using a hose were performed. This article explores the pioneers behind these early operations and the groundbreaking pilots who achieved the first air-to-air refueling.

The Pioneers: Army Air Service DeHavilland DH-4B Pilots

The first significant air-to-air refueling took place in June 1923, between two Army Air Service DeHavilland DH-4B airplanes at Rockwell Field, San Diego. The pilots involved were all lieutenants: Virgil Hine, Frank Seifert, Lowell Smith, and John Richter. These pilots performed a series of transfers of fuel using a hose, marking a groundbreaking advance in aerial refueling techniques.

During this period, Smith and Richter set numerous world records for distance, speed, and duration, including a record-breaking border-to-border flight from Canada to Mexico. This accomplishment showcased the potential of aerial refueling in long-range operations. Notably, the duration record they broke was 35 hours, previously set by Lt. John McCready in a non-refueled flight out of San Diego the year before.

John McCready: A Legendary Figure in Early Aviation

John McCready was a pioneering aviator who broke numerous records in his early career. He was the first to ascend above 40,000 feet in 1921 and completed the first non-stop transcontinental flight non-refueled in 1923. McCready lived to be 92, and his legacy continues to inspire aviators today. I personally attended Colonel McCready's memorial service at Castle AFB in 1979, where his contributions to early aviation were honored and celebrated.

The First Air-to-Air Refueling Operation

A photograph from the Seattle Museum of Flight, courtesy of Peter M. Bowers Collection, captures the essence of this groundbreaking moment. The first air-to-air refueling took place on November 12, 1921, with a remarkable series of events involving wingwalker Wesley May and the pilots Frank Hawks and Earl Daugherty.

Hawks carried May aloft in his Lincoln Standard airplane, while May then transferred the gasoline to Daugherty's Curtiss Jenny. May carried a five-gallon gas can on his back, which he used to pour fuel into the tank of the waiting Curtiss Jenny once he was aboard. This rudimentary method of aerial refueling marked a significant milestone in the history of aviation.

Conclusion

The pioneering achievements of Virgil Hine, Frank Seifert, Lowell Smith, John Richter, and the other pilots involved in the early days of air-to-air refueling have left a lasting impact on aviation history. These early operations laid the groundwork for the advanced techniques used today. The contributions of these pioneers, including Lt. John McCready and wingwalker Wesley May, have been instrumental in shaping the modern aviation landscape.