A couple of generations of "seat of the pants pilots" probably are still convinced that Turner's career was nothing more than a gaudy, over-producted flying circus.

But Turner's guts go unquestioned. Not many of Turner's grease-stained, booze swilling critics ever bagged three Thompson Trophy races as Turner did in 1934, 1938 and 1939; or the Harmon Trophy twice or the Henderson Trophy three times -- more speed records than any man before or since has captured.

For years Turner flew around the country with his pet lion Gilmore as a steady passenger. Turner wore a uniform of his own design, bright blue tunic, fawn-colored breeches and shiny top boots, and amid other pilots who were dressed in filthy coveralls, leather helmets and goggles, he always was the center of attention and the object of their derision.

"It's a matter of advertising," he said once. "Let them razz me all they please. The more the better."

Ernie Pyle once described Turner as "the busiest one man aviation industry I ever saw. Turner's uniform had a purpose," Pyle wrote. "It made the public remember him."

Turner worked ceaslessly to publicize aviation and though most of his profession considered him a ham, Turner took the publication of his exploits in the air only as the means to an end.

Once, under questioning by a reporter, he admitted that he timed his feats to make headlines. Turner learned that knack from publisher William Randolph Hearst and writer Arthur Brisbane.

"I used to call them up," Turner said, "and they would tell me if there was a lot of news or not. If it was a dull day and I would be sure to get good space in the papers, I went regardless of the weather."

Turner was born in 1895 at Corinth, Miss. He grew up on a farm and when he was 16 he left home to make his own way. His first stop was Memphis, Tenn., where he became a shipping clerk, then drove a truck delivering ice and dabbled with a lion taming act. He later picked up some wrenches and became a mechanic.

He was an ambulance driver in World War I but transferred to the aviation section of the Signal Corps and earned his commission. He left the service when he was 23, bought an airplane and became a stunt pilot and he pursued that career until 1925.

He rubbed elbows with the elite in the business world and show business. A famous comic strip which dealt largely with flying, "Smilin Jack," had as its central character a figure which bore a strong resemblance to Turner.

Turner also starred on a radio show which was a big hit with youngsters.

After winning the Thompson Trophy in 1939 for the third time (he was the only pilot ever to do so) Turner retired abruptly.

"Pylon racing is a young man's game. I am 43," Turner said with tears in his eyes.

That same year he came to Indianapolis and founded the Roscoe Turner Aeronautical Corporation at Weir Cook Municipal Airport. During World War II his firm trained 3,500 flight instructors for armed forces contract schools and until 1968 Turner devoted his time to aviation sales and service.

Turner died of cancer in June, 1970, before he could see his final tribute to aviation become a reality -- the Roscoe Turner Museum and Educational Center near Weir Cook.

Housed in the one story building are some of the aircraft Turner flew to speed records, his trophies, medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross; newspaper clippings, magazine covers, hundreds of photographs and even old Gilmore, stuffed and harmless.