In the late thirties Flying Aces ran Alden McWilliams’ monthly illustrated tribute to the pioneer fliers of the early days of aviation which was called “They Had What it Takes”. In the January 1938 issue they featured Dick Merrill. Considered the greatest airline pilot of his time, Merrill accomplished the first trans-Atlantic round trip when he flew to London to retrieve photographs of the Coronation.

Next week McWilliams looks at the career of Bernt Balchen, the Norwegian known as the “Viking of the Skies”.

• Download “They Had What It Takes – Part 12: Dick Merrill” January 1938, Flying Aces