PHOTOS: XXX XXXXXXX
March 2016 AH 43DICK MERRILL REPEATEDLY GAMBLED HIS LIFE WHILE
BARNSTORMING, DELIVERING AIRMAIL, CONQUERING
THE ATLANTIC, FLYING THE HIMALAYAS AND PIONEERING
AIRLINE ROUTES, BUT HE ALWAYS CAME OUT
WITH A WINNING HAND BY DON BEDWELL
BEATING
THE ODDS
"PING-PONG FLIGHT" Merrill and showman
Harry Richman land in the Vultee V-1A Lady
Peace at Croydon on September 4, 1936. Before
setting out on their transatlantic flight, the pair
stuffed the airplane with ping-pong balls, to
keep it afloat in case they were forced to ditch.