Richard du Pont at Grand Central Air Terminal – Rare 1933 Glider Photo, Glendale CA

Capture a pivotal moment in American aviation history with this rare original photograph, believed to document Richard C. du Pont, pioneering glider pilot and founder of the Bowlus-du Pont Sailplane Company, at the Grand Central Air Terminal in Glendale, California, circa 1933.

In the foreground, several figures surround a sleek, early sailplane — likely a Bowlus design — preparing for launch on the open, arid expanse of the airfield. To the left, the unmistakable silhouette of Grand Central Air Terminal rises with its iconic Spanish Colonial Revival tower and colonnades. This terminal was the hub of West Coast aviation in the early 1930s, frequented by the likes of Amelia Earhart, Howard Hughes, and Charles Lindbergh.

The presence of this early glider on the field, combined with historical references tying du Pont to California in 1933, make this image a likely — and potentially unpublished — glimpse into his soaring activity in the region.

This original vintage photo is a one-of-a-kind historical artifact, ideal for collectors of early aviation, glider history, or California airfield ephemera.

Details:

• Date: Circa 1933

• Location: Grand Central Air Terminal, Glendale, California

• Subject: Early glider (likely Bowlus), possibly flown by Richard du Pont

• Condition: Very good with light age wear; sharp architectural detail in background

• Format: Vintage original photograph (not a reproduction)