The Gordon Bennett gas balloon distance race was to begin in Lvov, Poland on September 3, 1939. Tony Fairbanks and Milford Vanik had travel plans to transport themselves and their gas balloon complete with cotton net and wicker basket to Lvov, Poland to represent the United States in this very prestigious international aviation event. On September 1, 1939 the German army invaded Poland with what many consider the start of World War II.

Tony and Milford were part of a small group of civilians who began the Cleveland Balloon Club in 1931. During these pre World War II years this group of men were the only non-military flying the flammable gas balloons into the sky. The Military flew gas balloons as part of the training to become a competent blimp pilot. Tony Fairbanks was elected as the Cleveland Balloon Club historian. As a result, the history and documents of this important nine years in aviation history remains part of the Fairbanks archives.