Yes some of the record breaking stuff was impressive (obviously) but let's not get too carried away. Aviators in those days had a different skill set and narrower safety margins - and crashed a lot as a consequence. Modern pilots have a perfectly valid but different skill set - and the equipment to maintain higher safety margins. Put either the pioneer pilot or the modern pilot into the other's role and they would each be incompetent.
Or to put it another way, get those rosey shades back in their case!