Yachts

1935 · 55179 — Chicago IL: Mead Gliders 12 S. Market St. ca. 1935. 16mo. 32 pp unpaginated. Numerous photo illustrations diagrams throughout. Light gray softcovers illustrated cover art in red & black on front cover very slight soiling to upper right corner first leaf and front cover still VG copy. First edition thus of this scarce catalogue for the kits and plans of Ice Boats and Ice Yachts such as the Batwing III and Batwing IV “Cyclone†Mead Motor-Sleds Mead Ki-Yaks Pollywogs and the “Rhon Ranger†gliders. The Cyclone is of special attention as it was a 10 foot long Ki-Yak canvas covered spruce sled based on a biplane fuselage propeller and often fitted with Harley-Davidson engines. These motor-sleds were often raced on the frozen Great Lakes and although temperamental and prone to breakdowns could achieve astonishing speeds. The Rhon Ranger and Mead Challenger C-3 gliders were very popular with gliding enthusiasts in the U.S. and abroad from 1931 until World War II with the Challenger’s normal flying speed of 30 m.p.h. and wing span of 38 feet. No copies located in Worldcat; See: Jim O’Clair Harley Museum Displays Rare Artifacts and Some Ideas That Didn’t Stick Hemmings Daily July 15 2011. Mead Gliders, [12 S. Market St.], paperback