Art Chester (1899–1949) was an American barnstormer and air racer of the 1930s and 1940s. Chester was instrumental in the development of the
Menasco
The Menasco Manufacturing Company was an American aircraft engine and component manufacturer.
History
The company was organized by Albert S. Menasco in 1926 to convert World War I surplus Salmson Z-9 water-cooled nine-cylinder radials into ai ...
Pirate
Piracy is an act of robbery or criminal violence by ship or boat-borne attackers upon another ship or a coastal area, typically with the goal of stealing cargo and valuable goods, or taking hostages. Those who conduct acts of piracy are call ...
and
Buccaneer
Buccaneers were a kind of privateer or free sailors, and pirates particular to the Caribbean Sea during the 17th and 18th centuries. First established on northern Hispaniola as early as 1625, their heyday was from the Restoration in 1660 u ...
inverted inline engines. He was also the designer of the propeller
spinner Spinner may refer to:
Technology
* Spinner (aeronautics), the aerodynamic cone at the hub of an aircraft propeller
* Spinner (cell culture), laboratory equipment for cultivating plant or mammalian cells
* Spinner (computing), a graphical widget in ...
and engine front cowling for the
North American
North America is a continent in the Northern and Western hemispheres. North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Caribbean Sea, and to the sou ...
In September 1930, Chester bought a Davis D-1-85 parasol, and flew it to victory in the
National Air Races
The National Air Races (also known as Pulitzer Trophy Races) are a series of pylon and cross-country races that have taken place in the United States since 1920. The science of aviation, and the speed and reliability of aircraft and engines grew ...
. He later developed a series of successful air racers named after
Popeye
Popeye the Sailor Man is a fictional cartoon character created by E. C. Segar, Elzie Crisler Segar.Chester Jeep, Chester Goon, and Chester Swee Pea. Chester's "Jeep" became a formidable racer.
He would tow his aircraft from race site to race site, driving a matching colored Auburn boat tailed Jeepster Chester's "Jeepster" and "Goon" were powered by Menasco Motors Company engines, which he tuned for maximum performance and reliability. Al Menasco took note of Chester's engine building and tuning skills. In 1939 Chester was hired by Menasco as an engine designer to help develop the Menasco Pirate and
Buccaneer
Buccaneers were a kind of privateer or free sailors, and pirates particular to the Caribbean Sea during the 17th and 18th centuries. First established on northern Hispaniola as early as 1625, their heyday was from the Restoration in 1660 u ...
inverted inline aircraft engines.
During
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, Chester went to work for
North American Aviation
North American Aviation (NAA) was a major American aerospace manufacturer that designed and built several notable aircraft and spacecraft. Its products included the T-6 Texan trainer, the P-51 Mustang fighter, the B-25 Mitchell bomber, the F- ...
as an engineer employing his racing experience on new designs.
Chester was the president of the Professional Race Pilots Association and early promoter of midget air racing, the forerunner to Formula One Air Racing. Chester died when his V-tailed racer Swee Pea II crashed in the slipstream of other racers at a San Diego meet. Chester had entered every National air race held since 1929 until his death.
Chester was inducted into the
Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) is a hall of fame that honors motorsports competitors and contributors from the United States from all disciplines, with categories for Open Wheel, Stock Cars, Powerboats, Drag Racing, Motorcycles ...