Dear Mother,
I am sending this money order-it isn’t very much but, if you only knew what they paid us you think it quite a tidy fortune. You can buy a war bond for me. I will try from now on to buy a war bond every pay day. That isn’t very much but it all adds up.
I had a fairly good day today in the air-I learned something new-they call it the chandelle. First of all you advance the throttle gain about 1900 RPM (revolutions per minute) -then coordinate the stick and rudder pulling the plane into a medium-turn. Seeing that the plane is moving pretty fast you can feel the gravity force your body into the seat. Then you pull back on the stick and as soon as you have completed about a 135° turn you give opposite stick and rudder to pull you out of the turn. After you have completed the maneuver you have completed a 180° turn and you’re heading back from the same direction you started. You have so much speed that a great deal of altitude is gained-gosh! It’s fun!
I wish you could see your little son zooming through the skies. If I don’t make it all the way at least I know I could fly a cub or something small anyway. Then when I get home I will buy my own plane. Wouldn’t it be fun to take mama and papa for a ride. Remember when they put ”air minded” in my St. Thomas yearbook-that was a coincidence (is that spelled right) wasn’t it.
Well, darlings, write soon I love your letters.
Work hard in school Jocie-I wish I had a chance to again – your studious brother.
Your loving son,
Jim