@racheljo.bsky.social Rachel, I've been thinking it would be fun to chat with you about all the research I've been doing on Interior Alaska's first pilots (and how much of it is contradictory). Also,I thought you might enjoy this recent interview with Richard Wien: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6gq...
I would very much love to have that conversation! Thank you for the link, I especially love all the images and clips of the early planes and aviators. Richard Wien was still in charge of bush operations when we first moved to Selawik, and I remember Merrill being Captain on one flight we took!
I'm working on Ben Eielson's exhibit panel right now (but not the Siberian tragedy--that will be a winter project). The guy had a poor sense of direction but I've really grown to admire the skills he developed.