Basket and equipment used by Capt. H. C. Gray, USA, in a world altitude attempt in 1927

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Basket and equipment used by Capt. H. C. Gray, USA, in a world altitude attempt in 1927

U.S. Army Air Corps balloonist Capt. Hawthorne Gray launched from Scott Field, Illinois, on November 4, 1927, on his third attempt to explore conditions and test equipment that would enable air crews to survive and function at altitudes of over 40, 000 feet. The balloon was found in a tree near Sparta, Tennessee, the next day, with Grays lifeless body still in the basket. He had apparently become confused, parachuting a full bottle of oxygen to earth in an effort to climb even higher. He died from lack of oxygen. " His courage, " suggested the citation of his posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross. " was greater than his supply of oxygen."

Media ID 23877473

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Air And Space Museum Air Transport Altitude Attempt Attempted Ballooning Basket Element Hot Air Balloon Nasm National Air And Space Museum Oxygen United States Army Us Army

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