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Clarence W. Hinck
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Clarence W. Hinck (1889-1966), also known as "CW", was a pioneer aviator in the United States. Family Clarence Walter Hinck was born in Litchfield, Minnesota on September 15, 1889 to mother Clara from Sweden and father Jens Frederik Hinck from Denmark. Clarence was the fourth child of six. Lilian, the only daughter and fifth child, married parachute jumper Harry Proctor. Hinck's brother Elmer became a flight instructor in Minnesota and a wing walker for Clarence's air shows. Early life Hinck met Elizabeth Irving (1900-1991) in Minneapolis while she was working as legal secretary for Clarence's brother Harry. In the 1930s, they moved to The Tourist Hotel, which Hinck owned, located in Minneapolis. They had one child, Irving Clarence Hinck (1922-1998). Career Hinck's aviation life began in 1917 when he enlisted in Naval Aviation at Dunwoody Institute Naval Training School, one of a group of 700 cadets. In 1919, he joined with Dick Grace and Lt. Cmdr. Colby Dodge to form Federated Fliers, Inc, a barnstorming association in Minneapolis. They acquired eighteen war-surplus aircraft - fifteen JN-4 "Jennies" and three LWF trainers. Pilots in the barnstorming acts included Noel Wien, Dick Grace, Elmer M. Hinck, , George Holey and Lyle Thro. Hinck was in charge of promotion and publicity for the Federated Fliers and grabbed every chance to promote the group. One promotion was an air mail flight piloted by Dick Grace from Minneapolis to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The mail carried included letters to dignitaries and a letter to the Lane Publishing Company. The event was the first local instance of business being conducted by airplane. Irving Hinck A teenager Hinck's son Irv was the driver of a customized red trailer that carried the auto-polo/push-ball cars and motorcycles from show to show for the Federated Fliers. He also worked as the advance man with Frank Winkey to put up promotion and advertising for the travelling air show. On more than one occasion, he was selected as a back-up pilot for the act where an airplane was crashed into a house. In his later years, he became a captain at Northwest Airlines. Records and achievements *Past Commander of the American Legion, Calhoun Post #231 *Past Commander and founder of Aviation Post #511 *Past Chef DeGare of Voiture 45 of the organization 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux *Member, The National Defense Commission of the American Legion *Member, The Fort Snelling National Cemetery Committee *Member, The Showman's League of America *Past President of the National Aeronautics Association *Member, The Elks Club *Member, The Last Man Club *Member, The Minnesota Aviation Trades Association *Founder and First President of the Minnesota Chapter of the OX-5 Aviation Pioneers of America Hinck was inducted in the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame in 1990. His brother, Elmer M. Hinck, was inducted in 1991. 
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