GULFHAWK EMPRESARIO
LINDBERGH, EARHART, DOOLITTLE, RICKENBACKER, ROSCOE TURNER, WILEY POST, BERNT BALCHEN, HAROLD GATTY, PAUL MANTZ… THE DEAN’S LIST OF 1920S AND ’30S PILOTS GOES ON, BUT RARELY WILL YOU FIND ALFORD J. WILLIAMS JR. ON IT.
A Wikipedia search for “list of pilots” turns up almost 200, from Bert Acosta to Bernard Ziegler, but still no Al Williams. He may be the only aviator whose airplanes are more famous than he is. They were all called Gulfhawks and painted pumpkin orange; two of them are in the National Air and Space Museum.
Yet Williams was one of the most multitalented pilots ever to stir a stick. He had been a pitcher with the New York Giants’ farm team. A lawyer with a degree from Georgetown University and a license to practice in New York. A writer who tapped out on his portable Underwood millions of words for a nationally syndicated weekly newspaper column as well as several bestselling books. An executive of one of the world’s largest oil companies. A near concert-quality pianist who also played the guitar and accordion. A boxer who some said could have made a living in the ring.
Oh, and also a raceplane pilot who won the Pulitzer Trophy and competed for the Schneider Trophy. Holder of several world speed records. Chief test pilot of the U.S. Navy and a Marine Corps aviator as well. One of the country’s finest aerobatic and airshow pilots. An important figure in the development of dive bombing. And the force behind the design and construction of two ambitious Schneider Trophy racers, though neither ever made it to the starting line.
Williams started his aviation training in 1918 and became a naval reserve ensign and aviator. Within
