Page 37 - Volume 14 Number 10

Only seven Cloudboys were built and at least four have sur- vived into the 21st century, including a former YPT-9B owned and flown by the Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California. (Courtesy Yanks Air Museum)
for Mr. Innes in his new office the same support and loyalty you have given me.”
In July 1931, however, Lloyd submitted his letter of resignation to the board of directors. In October 1931, he and his family departed Wichita for California and the promise of a new future. Before he bid Kansas farewell, Lloyd had a few final words for the press:
“The growth of aviation may be slow for the next few years, but it will be constant and steady. I believe there is no question that it will shortly become one of the great industries of the nation. Because of Wichita’s natural advantages as to climate, and because it is easily reached from the eastern and western airplane markets this city will always be an important factor in the growth of aviation.”
His words proved to be prophetic, and even today the “Peerless Princess of the Prairie” maintains its reign as the “Air Capital of the World.” KA
Ed Phillips, now retired and living in the South, has researched and written eight books on the unique and rich aviation history that belongs to Wichita, Kan. His writings have focused on the evolution of the airplanes, companies and people that have made Wichita the “Air Capital of the World” for more than 80 years.
OCTOBER 2020
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 35