Webster G. Drew in Primary Glider – Bradford Glider Club, May 6, 1930 – Aviation & Politics Crossover

This original International Newsreel press photograph, dated May 6, 1930, captures a remarkable blend of early American aviation and local politics. It features Webster G. Drew, a 346-pound senatorial candidate from Bradford, Pennsylvania, seated in the open cockpit of a primary training glider at the Bradford Glider Club.

At the dawn of the 1930s, gliding in the United States was rapidly gaining popularity—spurred by post-WWI German glider innovations and the formation of soaring clubs across the country. Drew, a known aviation enthusiast and city treasurer, used this photo-op as both a campaign publicity stunt and an endorsement of glider safety, emphasizing that if the sport could safely accommodate him, it could be enjoyed by the general public.

Aircraft Details:

• Type: Primary glider (likely U.S. adaptation of the German Zögling)

• Markings: Tail labeled 347W with eagle insignia

• Construction: Cable-braced wing struts, open-frame fuselage, minimal cockpit—typical of short-hop and slope-soaring trainers of the era

Scene Notes:
Drew wears white coveralls and a cap, exuding both confidence and showmanship. The dirt airfield setting includes a background biplane trainer, hinting at a mixed-use flying field. The combination of a political figure, glider sport promotion, and vintage aircraft creates a uniquely collectible image.

Historical Highlights:

• Date: May 6, 1930 (press stamped May 10, 1930)

• Location: Bradford, Pennsylvania

• Photographer/Agency: International Newsreel Photo

• Campaign Platform: “Bone-dry” (strict Prohibition support)

• Drew’s candidacy and aviation hobby merged into a one-of-a-kind publicity moment in early U.S. glider history