Andrew,
Why would it have a "42 M " on the back?
I wished that I could help more, but these are the only two pictures I have.
Era was 1952-1953 max.
So the plane was earlier, be my guess ?
Ben was an experienced pilot, and flew to Florida and the Bahamas' often, maybe that helps ??
I am pretty sure that he flew to Cuba to host SCCA racing before Castrol over through the president. He did host the races, and I am assuming that he flew there?
All other info provided has no assumption, all documented fact.
Maybe of help; Ben owned two airports, was in Navy research and invention during WW II with Edwin Land, POLOROID,, built tanks and ornament in a plant by Chicago also. Experimental stuff guys !!!
He was very good friends with Ed Cole, which perished in a plane crash, GM President, and also was very good friends with Lance Reventlow, which also perished in a plane crash.
I know that he also ran with Zora, Corvette guy at GM, >> Jim Kimberly of Kimberly and Clark, Phil Hill, most flew planes also.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In one of the many obits on Ben >> who was DALLAS SPEAR? Thoughts?
And I am pretty sure that you guys have knowledge of seat belts in early planes>> is that seat belt correct era from an airplane<< as everybody knows cars did not have seat belts then,
Fire any questions at me that you may have.
Just trying to finish up History work on the entire story.
Thanks in advance,
John