AtDDtA1: Bindlestiffs of the Blue

[Scott Badger]

Lady Penelope and the Thunderbirds?....

FWIW, Pynchon's treatment of the aeromaniacs gathering is, of course, spot 
on -- "gossip, shop talk, and sky-stories" are most definitely the order of 
the day at any "fly-in". A fly-in being an annual, though typically 
informal, gathering of "sport-pilots". There are fly-ins for more 
traditional aircraft (fixed wing and rotary), home built aircraft 
(ultralights, gyrocopters etc.), soaring aircraft (hang-gliders, paragliders 
and sail planes) and balloons.

Scott Badger


>   "'Hey, anybody home?'  Into the firelight emerged two boys and a
> girl, carrying picnic baskets and wearing flight uniforms of indigo
> mohair brilliantine with scarlet pinstripes ....
>   "Darby, recognizing them as members of Bindlestiffs of the Blue
> A.C., a club of ascensionaries from Oregon ... broke into a welcoming
> smile, especially for Miss Penelope ('Penny') Black ....  "Hello,
> Riley, Zip ... Penny,' he added shyly." (AtD, Pt. I, Ch. 2, p. 18)