Ralph Johnstone (photo)

Ralph Johnstone (1886 – November 17, 1910) was a pioneering early aviator who died in a crash.He started as a vaudeville trick bicycle rider. He became a Wright exhibition team pilot. He and Archibald Hoxsey were known as the "heavenly twins" for their attempts to break altitude records. In October, 1910, the International Aviation Tournament was at the Belmont Park race track in Elmont, New York. The meet offered ,750 for the highest altitude, another ,000 for a world record and a ,000 bonus for exceeding 10,000 feet. Johnstone set a new American flight altitude record of 8,471. feet.[1] On the ground Ralph was pals with Hoxsey and rival Curtiss team member Eugene Ely. He was the first of the Wright team to die. He was in a crash after he failed to recover from a dive in Denver on November 17, 1910.