WIX Archives

Re: Any body ambitious enough to write a Soplata article?

Posted by Steve T on Sat Aug 16, 2003 10:39:38 PM

In reply top Re: Any body ambitious enough to write a Soplata article? posted by larry smigla on Sat Aug 16, 2003 08:15:12 PM

Larry/Scott--

I have both of Mr Hull's books on the Cleveland races; in the second of the two (called "A Season Of Eagles") there is a lengthy piece on Walt Soplata, written in the early seventies for (iirc) the Akron Beacon-Journal. I expect this is probably the article referred to. It captures Walt's manner superbly, and incorporates a number of early details on Walt's collecting that I haven't seen anywhere else (for example, his first aircraft was a flyable American Eagle biplane that nearly took off by itself while Walt was doing an engine run...prompting him to sell it!).
I think this article, with Mr Hull's permission and fleshed-out with newer detail from some of the WIXers, could be a fine basis for a Web piece to accompany the registry. Another good idea would be some sort of definitive listing of the collection. I have a pretty good one for starters but do not think it includes everything he had. No idea, for instance, what the reg'n of the Eagle was (as of the 70s, anyway, it was still flying out West).

Larry--do you happen to know whether Mr Hull's books have been reprinted and/or are they still available? Both mine were damaged when a water pipe exploded above them last winter.

Cheers

S.

Follow Ups: