1937 Chester Decker & Bowlus-DuPont Glider Press Photo – Sailplane Arrival at Palace Theatre

This original 1937 Acme Newspictures press photograph captures a rare promotional moment in early American soaring. Chester Decker, the 1936 U.S. National Sailplane Champion from Elmira, New York, is shown inspecting a Bowlus-DuPont glider upon its arrival at the Palace Theatre.

The sleek sailplane—its long, graceful wings folded neatly against the fuselage—rests on a wheeled dolly, ready for public display. This was more than a static exhibit; it was a statement of aviation’s future, bringing the beauty and engineering of soaring flight directly to the public in a theatrical setting.

Stamped January 29, 1937, the reverse caption confirms Decker’s role and the significance of the event. It likely formed part of a public outreach effort aimed at sparking interest in the U.S. gliding movement, which was beginning to gain momentum in the years before World War II.

For collectors of vintage aviation, pre-WWII gliding history, or Bowlus-DuPont memorabilia, this image offers both historic and display appeal.

Historical Note – Chester Decker & the Bowlus-DuPont Legacy
Chester Decker’s 1936 national championship cemented his place among America’s soaring pioneers. The Bowlus-DuPont sailplane, developed by William Hawley Bowlus and financed by Richard du Pont, represented the pinnacle of U.S. glider design in the 1930s. With its streamlined fuselage, wooden monocoque construction, and long high-aspect-ratio wings, it was capable of flights and performances that rivaled European designs of the era.

Public exhibitions—such as this Palace Theatre appearance—were part of a broader push to popularize gliding in America, showcasing the sport to audiences far beyond airfields. Today, photographs that combine a named champion, a specific high-performance glider model, and a public display setting are exceptionally uncommon.

Key Features:

• Date: January 29, 1937

• Location: Palace Theatre (exact city unknown)

• Subjects: Chester Decker (1936 U.S. National Sailplane Champion), Bowlus-DuPont sailplane

• Photographer/Agency: Acme Newspictures

• Medium: Original black-and-white press photo with typed reverse caption and agency stamp

• Condition: Excellent clarity; light handling wear; press archive markings on reverse