Alexander P. de Seversky and the Quest for Air Power

380 Pages·2013·3.03 MB·English

by  James K. Libbey

Alexander P. de Seversky
and the Quest for Air Power
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Alexander P.
de Seversky
and the quest for air power
james k. libbey
Potomac Books
Washington, D.C.
© 2013 by the Board of Regents of Library of Congress Cataloging-
the University of Nebraska in-Publication Data
All rights reserved Libbey, James K.
Potomac Books is an imprint of the Alexander P. de Seversky and the quest for
University of Nebraska Press. air power / James K. Libbey. — First edition.
pages cm
Excerpts from Alexander P. de Seversky Includes bibliographical refer-
Papers courtesy of Joshua Stoff, Curator, ences and index.
Cradle of Aviation Museum; ISBN 978-1-61234-179-8 (hardcover:
Excerpts from “The Making of a War Hero” alk. paper) — ISBN 978-1-61234-180-4
by James K. Libbey in Aviation History (electronic) 1. De Seversky, Alexander
courtesy of Carl von Wodtke, Editor; P. (Alexander Procofieff), 1894–1974.
Excerpts from “Remember Billy 2. Aeronautical engineers—United
Mitchell!” by Alexander P. de Seversky States—Biography. 3. Air power—United
in Air Power Historian courtesy of Jim States—History—20th century. 4.
Vertenten, Executive Director, Air Aeronautics, Military—United States—
Force Historical Foundation; and History—20th century. I. Title.
Excerpts from Elmer Sperry Papers courtesy TL540.D363L53 2013
of Lynn Catanese, Manuscript & Archives 623.74'6092—dc23
Department, Hagley Museum & Library. [B]
2013008387
Printed in the United States of
America on acid-free paper that meets Potomac Books
the American National Standards 22841 Quicksilver Drive
Institute Z39-48 Standard. Dulles, Virginia 20166
First Edition
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
To Joyce’s friend
Diane M. A. Procofieff de Seversky
Alexander P. de Seversky. Courtesy of the Cradle of Aviation Museum
Contents
Acknowledgments
ix
1. Introduction: The Russian
in the Russian Context
1
2. The Russian Ace in the Great War
14
3. Revolutionary Changes
30
4. The Russian Test Pilot and
Consultant in America
49
5. The Russian Inventor
64
6. The Russian Inventor Becomes
an American Designer
80
7. The Innovative Designer
97
vii
8. The P-35 Manufacturer
113
9. Troubled Times
130
10. The P-35 Manufacturer
Loses His Company
144
11. The Making of an
Air Power Prophet
162
12. Prophet of Air Power
178
13. Victory through Air Power
193
14. The Prophet at Home
and Abroad
212
15. The Prophet Challenged
232
16. Return of the Media Personality
249
17. The Futurist
267
Notes
283
Selected Bibliography
329
Index
337
About the Author
349
viii
Acknowledgments
Alexander P. de Seversky lived such a long and event-filled life that a rea-
sonably complete biography can emerge only with the help of numerous
individuals and organizations. In terms of the latter, the starting point for
research began with support from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
and a grant from the Kennan Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International
Center for Scholars. Naturally, it is the archivists and librarians who open
and make available the documents and literature held by their institutions.
The centerpiece, of course, for the study of aviation history and aviators is
the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, now divided between
Washington, D.C., and the Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles International Air-
port. Until recently, both its library and photo archive were located in the
nation’s capital. The author’s visit was arranged and materials were secured
for him by Brian Nikles, Philip Edwards, Kate Igoe, and Mark Taylor. On
the other hand, the largest collection of de Seversky documents is held by
the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Long Island. While museum associate
Julia L. Blum assisted with photos, curator Joshua Stoff and museum asso-
ciate Glenn Appel made the author and his wife feel right at home during
two lengthy visits to run through more than forty boxes of materials. The
latter were large storage containers, not the elegant gray cartons employed
by the Manuscript Reading Room of the Library of Congress. Regardless,
the Library of Congress holds a number of de Seversky documents but
also a bountiful collection of important collateral papers. Over a period
of time, Jeff Flannery, Patrick Kerwin, Joseph Jackson, Bruce Kirby, Ernie
ix