10: Records Fall: Buenos Aires to U.S.A.
On May 1st, 1935, Gage Irving, factory superintendent of the Northrop Company, and myself were sitting in the Palace Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, discussing a demonstration I was about to make for the Argentine Navy at Bahia Blanca the following day. We received a cablegram from the factory ordering us back to Los Angeles immediately. We were instructed to be home not later than May 5th.
“It’s impossible,” spoke up Gage. “What do they think you are, Hawks?”
“Oh, it is possible,” I answered. “Not only is it possible but probable. I am anxious to get home.”
After some small argument, I assured Mr. Irving that I could make the flight and would make it in record time. Before figuring out my schedule I went to Capt. Zar, head of the Argentine Na
