Like most things connected with or to Dodi Knapp, The Third Aero Squadron Was Very Low Profile. Although most people who were in it as well as Unit #1 , left many marks of accomplishment behind. But then again they were from extremely wealthy and prominent families with great resources. As for what really happened to the Third unit , I'm not sure anyone knew even back then as this piece about their leader aptly states.

 

Just Like Mark Twain The Reports Of E. K's Death Were Greatly Exaggerated

He went back to exhibition & stunt flying in Atlantic City.

 

E.K. Jaquith in April 1963

Finally Getting his Orders?

As For Some Of The Others.....

 

Trubee Davison became assistant Secretary Of War under both Coolidge & Hoover, then first personnel director of the CIA and went on to head the Museum Of Natural History.

Harold Howe who smashed into the Smith Point Bridge became Secretary Of Education

Archibald McIlwaine (Dodi's stepbrother) became a successful Stock Broker. He died suddenly on an operating table in France in 1928. His son Archie III was also a pilot and went missing in action in WWII

Tom Dixon married Claire Knapp in the 1940's

L. W. Bonney stayed in touch with Dodi Knapp. Both Bonney's wife & Dodi's sister had successful show dog kennels. Bonney returned to the Knapp Estate in the 1920's to build his ill fated experimental Bonney Gull plane.

The fact that I now know Dodi was a pilot, makes it very possible that he was at the controls of the helicopter that used to land on the Knapp Golf Course in the 1930's.

 

 

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Back To Where It Started

 

 

Radio Shack

There it loomed in the far background behind Larry & Dennis Schulz's yard circa 1954.

Actually both barns were used by Dodi Knapp for aviation activities. The Bonney Gull was

built in the near barn.

Back in 1953 when Butchie & Me and our summer pals Donald & Patty Denning, Mary Ann , Sally Ann & Anthony Yodice carted smashed wireless equipment like this out of Knapp's barn to play 'airport' with, I know none of us had a clue about the history behind it. Even after fifty years with two of them devoted to my learning about it....I know I'll never know the whole story... but it sure has been enlightening and enjoyable learning what I have found.

 

 

OCTOBER 26, 2003

The shoreline of the 'Knapp Airfield' has not changed much in 86 years. That's Knapp's cove & dock in the center. The floating hangers could of been located in the cove or on either side of it. There was an observation tower still standing in the very early 1950's on the west (left) side .

 

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