In addition to lighthearted hijinks, the tight-
knit group of aviators would experience several
tragedies on set. Al Johnson ran into tension wires
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Phillips was killed after crashing an S.E.5a, and
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featuring miniature Zeppelins and life-size stunt-
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of the ghost-like airship would leave a haunting
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\QKLWOÅOP\[KMVM<PMZM_I[R][\WVMXZWJTMU"64 AH September 2019
FALLEN ENEMIES
Top: Hughes’ pilots
pose with the Sikorsky
S-29 that was modified
to resemble a German
Gotha bomber. Above
right: A D.VII plunges
to its doom. Above:
Despite the sacrifice
of several crewmen,
the ghostly Zeppelin
met a fiery fate.