Montrew Dunham - Neil Armstrong: Young Pilot

Dear Reader:

The Childhood of famous Americans series, seventy years old in 2002, chronicles the early years of famous American men and women in an accessible manner. Each hook is faithful in spirit to the values and experiences that influenced the persons development. History is fleshed out with fictionalized details, and conversations have been added to make the stories come alive to todays reader, but every reasonable effort has been made to make the stories consistent with the events, ethics, and character of their subjects.

These books reaffirm the importance of our American heritage. We hope you learn to love the heroes and heroines who helped shape this great country. And by doing so, we hope you also develop a lasting love for the nation that gave them the opportunity to make their dreams come true. It will do the same for you.

Happy Reading!

The Editors

Neil Armstrong

Young Flyer

Illustrated by Meryl Henderson

Young Flyer

by Montrew Dunham

ALADDIN PAPERBACKS
First Aladdin Paperbacks edition August 1996

Text copyright 1996 by Montrew Dunham

Illustrations copyright 1996 by Meryl Henderson

Aladdin Paperbacks
An imprint of Simon & Schuster
Childrens Publishing Division
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www.SimonandSchuster.com

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form CHILDHOOD OF FAMOUS AMERICANS is a registered trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

ALADDIN PAPERBACKS and colophon are trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

The text of this book was set in New Caledonia

Manufactured in the United States of America

20 22 24 26 28 30 29 27 25 23 21 19

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Dunham, Montrew

Neil Armstrong / Montrew Dunham.

p. cm.(Childhood of famous Americans series)

Summary: Presents the childhood of the astronaut who became the first man to walk on the moon.

ISBN-13: 978-0-689-80995-8
ISBN-13: 978-0-689-80995-8
eISBN-13: 978-1-439-11234-2

ISBN-10: 0-689-80995-6

1. Armstrong, Neil, 1930Juvenile literature.

2. AstronautsUnited StatesBiographyJuvenile literature.

[1. Armstrong, Neil, 1930Childhood and youth. 2. Astronauts.]

I. Title.

II. Series.

TL789.85.A75D86 1996

629.450092dc20

[B]

96-19086

Illustrations

Full pages

Numerous smaller illustrations

Dedicated to my grandchildren
Mackenzie, Sara, Lauren, Griffin, and Graham.

N EIL A RMSTRONG WAS six years old when he had his first airplane ride in the Ford Tri-Motor plane, but he had been interested in planes and flying long before that!

When Neil was only two years old his father had taken him to the National Air Show to watch the airplane races at the Cleveland airport. He loved planes from that moment on.

Neils father, Stephen Armstrong, worked for the state of Ohio, visiting towns to look at their financial records. He had many friends who also did this same kind of work. When they were finished in one town, they all moved on to another to begin again.

Neils family lived in Cleveland when Neil was very young. While they were there, his father would often take him to the airport to watch the planes taking off and landing. Four years later the Armstrong family moved to Warren, Ohio.

One Sunday morning in July of 1936, Mr. Armstrong said, I understand that there is a very interesting plane coming into the airport this morning.

Viola Armstrong, Neils mother, was setting the breakfast out on the kitchen table. Neil and his three-year-old sister, June, were sitting at the table, and baby brother Dean was in his high chair.

Mrs. Armstrong placed a large plate of scrambled eggs with bacon on the table and poured orange juice for the children. Mr. Armstrong served the two older children while Mrs. Armstrong placed Deans food on the tray of his high chair.

Is it a small plane? Neil asked.

No, as a matter of fact, its a very big plane, made of metal, his father said.

Does it have a name?

Yes. Its a Ford Tri-Motor, but its called the Tin Goose.

The Tin Goose? Why?

Because some people think it looks like tin, and its shaped a little like a big flying goose. Its actually made of aluminum, not tin. Aluminum is a ridged metal, and makes the plane very strong.

How many people can go up in it at one time? Neil asked.

About twelve passengers perhaps even fourteen, his father said.

How fast will it go?

Mr. Armstrong smiled as he answered Neils questions. I believe about one hundred miles an hour, maybe even a little faster one hundred and ten or so.

Neils eyes widened as he thought about how fast that would be and how exciting!

Can we go see it? Neil asked.

I heard that it will be taking off for Columbus, Ohio, shortly after noon. It will probably be gone by the time we get home from church, his father said.

Mrs. Armstrong didnt stop feeding baby Dean, but she could see Neil out of the corner of her eyes. He didnt say anything. He just dropped his head and looked at his plate. His mouth drew down in disappointment.

Mrs. Armstrong looked up at the clock. Its eight oclock. If you can be dressed by eight-thirty, you would have time to go out to the airport for nearly an hour before Sunday school and church. That is, if your father is willing to take you.

She tightened her mouth to keep her smile from showing. She knew that Mr. Armstrong wanted to see the plane as much as Neil did.

Can we go, Dad? Neil asked as he hopped up from the table.

Have you finished your breakfast?

Neil nodded.

Get dressed, then, and well go.

Mr. Armstrong smiled at his wife. He was glad she understood how much Neil wanted to see the big plane. Well be back in time for church. Well meet you there.

The Armstrongs went to church every Sunday, and Mrs. Armstrong taught Sunday school.

Neil dressed quickly and ran back into the kitchen, his blue eyes shining. Can we go right now?

His father laughed. Well, not this very minute. Let me finish my breakfast.

Neil could hardly wait.

All right, Neil, lets go, his father said finally.

As they walked onto the airfield, Neil saw the big plane with its three engines sitting on the runway. It was enormous!

As they walked around it, Neil looked up to see every part of the plane. He looked at the graceful propeller blades on each of the three engines, the round, fat tires on the landing wheels, and the name Ford Motor on the tail assembly.

One of the pilots came up to them. Good morning, he said cheerfully, and put out his hand to shake Mr. Armstrongs hand. Have you ever seen a Tin Goose?

No, not up close like this, Neils father answered.

Would you like to take a short ride this morning?

Mr. Armstrong looked at Neil. What about it, Neil? Would you like to go for a ride in this airplane?