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Photograph was edited for publication purposes Charles Calvin Finn along with his twin brother, George, were known as the "Flying Finn Twins." They are infamous for their ongoing battles with the government and their high profile stunts to start their own airline company. After serving in the Air Corps during World War II, the pair bought a C-46-twin-engine transport plane from the Bakersfield school district with the intention of retrofitting it and using it as the first plane in their company. The federal government, however, said the sale was not valid and took possession of the plane. The Finn brothers went to extremes to battle for their plane and their company, including stealing and hiding the plane in Nevada, handcuffing U. S. District Attorney Laughlin Waters in a citizens arrest, and participating in a 71 day hunger strike. The plane was eventually sold in a Sheriff's auction in 1957. Photograph caption dated December 31, 1957 reads, "Sgt. John McEvoy, of Sheriff's Civil Division, right, awards C-46 war surplus cargo plane to George Batchelor, left, judgment creditor and president of International Aircraft, Inc. Batchelor was declared high bidder with call of $39,500. At bottom of steps rests money which Charles Finn Threw." The caption is referring to the auction of the infamous "Flying Finn Twins" plane, which was sold despite Charles Finn's futile attempts to hold off the auction and to raise more money. After the plane was sold, he threw his bag of money in protest.
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;18 x 15 cm. Photographic prints
Finn, Charles Calvin Los Angeles County (Calif.).--Sheriff's Department--Officials and employees Lockheed Air Terminal, Inc Airports--California--Burbank (Los Angeles County) Air pilots--United States Men--California--Burbank (Los Angeles County) Airplanes--California--Burbank (Los Angeles County) Curtiss CW-20 (Transport plane) Auctions--California--Burbank (Los Angeles County) Burbank (Los Angeles County, Calif.) Valley Times Collection photographs
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