Born Alpheus Spring Chandler in Columbia Falls, ME to an old New England family that had been prominent in Maine for 150 years.
Moved to Midwest early 1920s. Automobile salesman and executive with Ford, Marmon, Studebaker, and General Motors. Head of Sales Midwestern Division Pontiac.
Well known motorcycle and auto racer, stunt flyer and military pilot, he was dubbed "Speed," a name he eventually adopted. As a result of these adventures, he hobnobbed with celebrities (see photo with John Wayne at right) eventually evolving into a celebrity himself, particularly well known in Chicago, NY, and Hollywood from the 1930s through the 1960s.
Served in USAAF WW2. Lead war bond drives and flight cadet recruitment. Chandler is credited with signing up more USAAF flight cadets than any other person during the war.
Flew the "Hump" in India/Burma/China. Chief Test Pilot Rome AFB, NY. Retired USAF 1947.
Mounted air show for three seasons in Chicago 1948 thru 1950-- Major Speed Chandler & His International Flyers.
Moved to Beverly Hills, CA 1950. Returned to automobile business, retiring in the early '60s.
Married Helen Ball of Muncie, IN, 1938. Divorced 1943. Married Bonnie Kupferberg of New York City, 1945. Divorced 1951.
One child, Robert, b. 1947.
Moved to Midwest early 1920s. Automobile salesman and executive with Ford, Marmon, Studebaker, and General Motors. Head of Sales Midwestern Division Pontiac.
Well known motorcycle and auto racer, stunt flyer and military pilot, he was dubbed "Speed," a name he eventually adopted. As a result of these adventures, he hobnobbed with celebrities (see photo with John Wayne at right) eventually evolving into a celebrity himself, particularly well known in Chicago, NY, and Hollywood from the 1930s through the 1960s.
Served in USAAF WW2. Lead war bond drives and flight cadet recruitment. Chandler is credited with signing up more USAAF flight cadets than any other person during the war.
Flew the "Hump" in India/Burma/China. Chief Test Pilot Rome AFB, NY. Retired USAF 1947.
Mounted air show for three seasons in Chicago 1948 thru 1950-- Major Speed Chandler & His International Flyers.
Moved to Beverly Hills, CA 1950. Returned to automobile business, retiring in the early '60s.
Married Helen Ball of Muncie, IN, 1938. Divorced 1943. Married Bonnie Kupferberg of New York City, 1945. Divorced 1951.
One child, Robert, b. 1947.
Born Alpheus Spring Chandler in Columbia Falls, ME to an old New England family that had been prominent in Maine for 150 years.
Moved to Midwest early 1920s. Automobile salesman and executive with Ford, Marmon, Studebaker, and General Motors. Head of Sales Midwestern Division Pontiac.
Well known motorcycle and auto racer, stunt flyer and military pilot, he was dubbed "Speed," a name he eventually adopted. As a result of these adventures, he hobnobbed with celebrities (see photo with John Wayne at right) eventually evolving into a celebrity himself, particularly well known in Chicago, NY, and Hollywood from the 1930s through the 1960s.
Served in USAAF WW2. Lead war bond drives and flight cadet recruitment. Chandler is credited with signing up more USAAF flight cadets than any other person during the war.
Flew the "Hump" in India/Burma/China. Chief Test Pilot Rome AFB, NY. Retired USAF 1947.
Mounted air show for three seasons in Chicago 1948 thru 1950-- Major Speed Chandler & His International Flyers.
Moved to Beverly Hills, CA 1950. Returned to automobile business, retiring in the early '60s.
Married Helen Ball of Muncie, IN, 1938. Divorced 1943. Married Bonnie Kupferberg of New York City, 1945. Divorced 1951.
One child, Robert, b. 1947.
Moved to Midwest early 1920s. Automobile salesman and executive with Ford, Marmon, Studebaker, and General Motors. Head of Sales Midwestern Division Pontiac.
Well known motorcycle and auto racer, stunt flyer and military pilot, he was dubbed "Speed," a name he eventually adopted. As a result of these adventures, he hobnobbed with celebrities (see photo with John Wayne at right) eventually evolving into a celebrity himself, particularly well known in Chicago, NY, and Hollywood from the 1930s through the 1960s.
Served in USAAF WW2. Lead war bond drives and flight cadet recruitment. Chandler is credited with signing up more USAAF flight cadets than any other person during the war.
Flew the "Hump" in India/Burma/China. Chief Test Pilot Rome AFB, NY. Retired USAF 1947.
Mounted air show for three seasons in Chicago 1948 thru 1950-- Major Speed Chandler & His International Flyers.
Moved to Beverly Hills, CA 1950. Returned to automobile business, retiring in the early '60s.
Married Helen Ball of Muncie, IN, 1938. Divorced 1943. Married Bonnie Kupferberg of New York City, 1945. Divorced 1951.
One child, Robert, b. 1947.
