Men in queer leather costumes darted here and there-they were the
aviators who were soon to risk life and limb for glory and gold. Most of
them were nervously smoking cigarettes. The air was filled with guttural
German or nasal French, while now and then the staccato Russian was
heard, and occasionally the liquid tones of a Japanese. For men of many
nations were competing for the prizes.
The majority of the machines were monoplanes and biplanes though one
triplane was entered, and there were several "freaks" as the biplane and
monoplane men called them--craft of the helicopter, or the wheel type.
There was also one Witzig Liore Dutilleul biplane, with three planes
behind.
Tom was familiar with most of these types, but occasionally he saw a new
one that excited his curiosity. However, he was more interested in what
Andy Foger would turn out. Andy's machine had not been tried, and Tom
wondered how he dared risk flying in it, without at least a preliminary
tryout. But Andy, and those with him, were evidently full of confidence.
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