Max Holtzem and Taube incident

[berman]

I met Max Holtzem in 1972 at the Flabob Airport in California. He related a story of a pilot who attempted to start a Taube engine by himself. Apparently the throttle was advanced too far and the Taube took to the air like a big stable model airplane. Holtzem and the pilot jumped into an automobile and gave chase. Eventually the Taube ran out of gas and crashed into a tree. It is fascinating how others can directly link you to the past. My late father told me of seeing Civil War veterans march in New York City parades. My grandfather (mother's side) was pressed into the Russian army, at age 16, under the command of Alexander III. He had the opportunity to speak with an elderly soldier who fought against the army of Napoleon Bonaparte.