Richard C. duPont in Minimoa Sailplane – 1937 Elmira Soaring Contest – DuPont Cup Winner

This original 1937 press photograph captures soaring pioneer Richard Chichester duPont stepping into his sleek Göppingen Gö 3 “Minimoa” sailplane during the Eighth Annual National Soaring Contest at Elmira, New York. The Minimoa, with its elegant gull wings and exceptional performance, was a German design that dominated international gliding competitions in the 1930s.

A rising star in American aviation, duPont would go on to set multiple soaring records and later serve as a key figure in U.S. military glider development. In this competition, duPont achieved the highest altitude award, reaching 5,890 feet in one of his flights, earning the prestigious DuPont Soaring Cup—an award donated by his father.

Stamped and captioned by NEA/Acme, with original newsprint snipe attached on reverse. This is a historically important image of one of the most influential figures in early American glider history, paired with one of the era’s most legendary sailplanes.

Condition: Very good vintage condition with minor handling wear. Original typewritten press caption on reverse, along with agency stamps.
Dimensions: Approx. 8" x 10"

Historical Note: DuPont’s soaring achievements at Elmira were part of a golden era of American gliding. Just seven years later, in 1943, duPont would tragically lose his life in a military glider accident while serving his country. The Minimoa, introduced in 1935, remains an icon of pre-WWII sailplane design and performance.