Alexander P. de Seversky and the Quest for Air Power Related Titles from Potomac Books John Warden and the Renaissance of American Air Power, by John Andreas Olsen A History of Air Warfare, edited by John Andreas Olsen Global Air Power, edited by John Andreas Olsen Alexander P. de Seversky and the quest for air power james k. libbey Potomac Books Washington, D.C. © 2013 by the Board of Regents of Library of Congress Cataloging- the University of Nebraska in-Publication Data All rights reserved Libbey, James K. Potomac Books is an imprint of the Alexander P. de Seversky and the quest for University of Nebraska Press. air power / James K. Libbey. — First edition. pages cm Excerpts from Alexander P. de Seversky Includes bibliographical refer- Papers courtesy of Joshua Stoff, Curator, ences and index. Cradle of Aviation Museum; ISBN 978-1-61234-179-8 (hardcover: Excerpts from “The Making of a War Hero” alk. paper) — ISBN 978-1-61234-180-4 by James K. Libbey in Aviation History (electronic) 1. De Seversky, Alexander courtesy of Carl von Wodtke, Editor; P. (Alexander Procofieff), 1894–1974. Excerpts from “Remember Billy 2. Aeronautical engineers—United Mitchell!” by Alexander P. de Seversky States—Biography. 3. Air power—United in Air Power Historian courtesy of Jim States—History—20th century. 4. Vertenten, Executive Director, Air Aeronautics, Military—United States— Force Historical Foundation; and History—20th century. I. Title. Excerpts from Elmer Sperry Papers courtesy TL540.D363L53 2013 of Lynn Catanese, Manuscript & Archives 623.74'6092—dc23 Department, Hagley Museum & Library. [B] 2013008387 Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper that meets Potomac Books the American National Standards 22841 Quicksilver Drive Institute Z39-48 Standard. Dulles, Virginia 20166 First Edition 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 To Joyce’s friend Diane M. A. Procofieff de Seversky Alexander P. de Seversky. Courtesy of the Cradle of Aviation Museum Contents Acknowledgments ix 1. Introduction: The Russian in the Russian Context 1 2. The Russian Ace in the Great War 14 3. Revolutionary Changes 30 4. The Russian Test Pilot and Consultant in America 49 5. The Russian Inventor 64 6. The Russian Inventor Becomes an American Designer 80 7. The Innovative Designer 97 vii 8. The P-35 Manufacturer 113 9. Troubled Times 130 10. The P-35 Manufacturer Loses His Company 144 11. The Making of an Air Power Prophet 162 12. Prophet of Air Power 178 13. Victory through Air Power 193 14. The Prophet at Home and Abroad 212 15. The Prophet Challenged 232 16. Return of the Media Personality 249 17. The Futurist 267 Notes 283 Selected Bibliography 329 Index 337 About the Author 349 viii Acknowledgments Alexander P. de Seversky lived such a long and event-filled life that a rea- sonably complete biography can emerge only with the help of numerous individuals and organizations. In terms of the latter, the starting point for research began with support from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a grant from the Kennan Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Naturally, it is the archivists and librarians who open and make available the documents and literature held by their institutions. The centerpiece, of course, for the study of aviation history and aviators is the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, now divided between Washington, D.C., and the Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles International Air- port. Until recently, both its library and photo archive were located in the nation’s capital. The author’s visit was arranged and materials were secured for him by Brian Nikles, Philip Edwards, Kate Igoe, and Mark Taylor. On the other hand, the largest collection of de Seversky documents is held by the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Long Island. While museum associate Julia L. Blum assisted with photos, curator Joshua Stoff and museum asso- ciate Glenn Appel made the author and his wife feel right at home during two lengthy visits to run through more than forty boxes of materials. The latter were large storage containers, not the elegant gray cartons employed by the Manuscript Reading Room of the Library of Congress. Regardless, the Library of Congress holds a number of de Seversky documents but also a bountiful collection of important collateral papers. Over a period of time, Jeff Flannery, Patrick Kerwin, Joseph Jackson, Bruce Kirby, Ernie ix