ICAS Inducts National Air Race Founder Into Hall of Fame

ICAS (December 2001) Orlando, FL – Clifford W. Henderson, legendary aviation promoter and General Manager of the National Air Races from its inception in 1928 until 1939, was inducted into the International Council of Air Show Foundation Hall of Fame at a ceremony during its annual convention in Orlando in December 2001.

During his induction, Henderson was celebrated as a visionary and one of the earliest producers of air shows and aviation events in the world. At the time he was considered a “genius of promotion and organization” that greatly contributed to public acceptance of aviation during its “Golden Age” of development.

Henderson Speaking at 01 HOF Induction The National Air Races became the largest sporting event of its day and drew world attention to the rapidly expanding field of aviation. It attracted such legendary figures as Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Jimmy Doolittle and Roscoe Turner. Henderson created an exposition of pageantry, aerobatics thrills and speed. In doing so he convinced skeptics and the public at large that the airplane was a viable invention with enormous potential for public good and commercial application.

Cleveland, Ohio hosted the National Air Races during most of its 1929 to 1939 and 1945 to 1949 tenure. Cleveland became “Home” to the National Air Races, a legacy that continues today. The historic site of Cleveland’s National Air Races is now NASA’s John H. Glenn Research Center. The “Spirit” of the Cleveland National Air Races and Clevelander’s fascination with airplanes is renewed annually during the Cleveland National Air Show – a 37-year Labor Day weekend tradition that has eclipsed the 20-year span of the National Air Races.

Henderson, who was also the first manager of Los Angeles International Airport and founded Palm Desert, California, passed away in 1984. His widow, the former movie actress Marian Marsh, was present for the induction. Mrs. Henderson returns to Cleveland each year during the National Air Show to present the Clifford W. Henderson Award to the individual or organization that best exemplifies Henderson’s profound “belief in aviation”.

Henderson at 01 HOF Induction
Sean D. Tucker (ICAS Foundation), Mrs. Marian Henderson, Charles K. Newcomb (CNAS Executive Director), and Caroline Trinkwalder (ICAS Foundation) celebrate Clifford W. Henderson's induction into the ICAS Foundation's Air Show Hall of Fame.