Oh, sure, I break my plane and you, feeling sorry for me , crash yours and I win. Hey, I like that. Let's do it. OH, wait, this is real life, not hookywood TV.
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No Ty,
Harold had no way to go to college except to win the Air Meet scholarship. Mr. Douglas was a comfortable guy and his kids would go for sure. Chip knew this and allowed his buddy the same chance he knew he was assured of.
It's deeper than you think.
Another thing; I live in and grew up in (I think you meant to write) "hokey-wood". Witty. I was taught the golden rule, fairness and all of that just like anywhere else, or not.
I also watched the whole thing, I listened to the story, and heard the details. Fred MacMurray's nuance is great.
I saw Bob Herendeen (multi-time National Aerobatic Champion and US Team member) fly a 4 minute routine right through the time limit so another dear friend of his could win one. I think they call it sportsmanship in that case. In the My Three Sons episode it was so much bigger, it was a guys life and career.
It happens, there are those that care about others.
Chris...