Between the Covers

Hardcover. Small oblong octavo measuring 8" x 5". Green cloth with "Pilot's Log Book" and the Texaco log stamped in black and red on the front board. Very good with worn edges and rubbing.

An aviation logbook kept by Reading, Pennsylvania pilot, Alfred M. Bertolet beginning in 1942. The book is hand-titled “Log Book # 6” and the first date is April 23, 1942. According to his obituary, during World War II Bertolet "was the chief multi-engine test pilot at the Cadiz Airbase in Casablanca for the Army Air Corp and later the Air Transport Command, where he flew “The Hump” in the China-Burma-India Theater.”Bertolet had a successful post-war aviation career which included becoming president of Reading Aviation Service and “founder and president of Public Aviation.” Additionally, he was president of the National Air Taxi Conference, Aircraft Owners Pilots Association, Sportsman Pilots Association, and the Pennsylvania Aviation Trade Association as well as vice-president of the National Aviation Trade Association, director of the National Pilot Association, and a consultant to the General Aviation council. He was involved with the Quiet Birdmen organization and was the first to received the Governor’s Aviation Trophy in 1970 “for outstanding contributions in aviation in Pennsylvania.” This log book contains local Pennsylvania journeys as well as his wartime ventures in Casablanca, Tripoli, Cairo, Tunis, and Naples, among others.

An interesting log book documenting the wartime activities of a Pennsylvania aviation pioneer.

Item #448442