The Official Aviation Guide of the Airways dated November 1931. "Accurate and authentic information of the passenger, mail and express air lines of North, Central and South America - Revised Monthly Through Official Sources."

This 8" x 10 3/4" booklet has 48 pages and covers the schedules of all the airlines doing business in 1931. Did you know that there was a Trump Airways? This single document has a wealth of information about the fledgling airline business of 1931 with dozens of airlines listed, from the smallest air ferry service to the major air carriers, a few still in business, many not here 75 years later as is the case with T&WA and Eastern Air Transport shown below.

Invaluable original material for the airline buff. This soft-cover document is in excellent condition with no markings; a slight fold down the center as it was once folded over as you would to carry in a coat pocket. The price of this vintage airline schedule compilation is $115.00.

Two-page autographed and signed letter, with envelope, by Oberst Erich Hartmann, known as the "Blond Knight of Germany"; he ended World War II as the world's highest scoring fighter ace, destroying 352 enemy aircraft. He was with JG 52 from mid-1942 through the war's end. He flew various Bf 109 models and finished the conflict in a Bf 109K. Read the excellent biography, "The Blond Knight", or many other references concerning his career - extraordinary, considering he spent about ten years in a Soviet prison camp following his capture at war's end and then rejoined the modern Luftwaffe flying F-86s! Now deceased. This letter was written on April 14, 1971 and concerns the number of letters that he has received since "Blond Knight" was published and also regarding his uniform and his need for one as a reserve officer and his upcoming visit to the U.S. for reunions and air shows, May 16th to June 6th - written to a U.S. citizen, William R. McClure. Excellent condition with very bold complete signature as shown below. Envelope includes his return address label on back. $325.00.

CollectAir, in partnership with Raider's historian Ted Briscoe, presented an afternoon with three of the famous Doolittle Tokyo Raiders followed by a dinner and discussion; this occurred on November 11, 1995. In conjunction with this event, a program was printed which carries the original autographs of three Raiders: Brig. Gen. Everett "Brick" Holstrom (now deceased), pilot of Crew #4; Col. Henry "Hank" Potter (now deceased), navigator for James Doolittle's Crew #1; and Lt. Col. Frank Kappeler, navigator for Ross Greening's Crew #11. Several of these signed programs are available, consisting of 4 pages, 8 1/2" x 11".

Page 3, shown below, carries a short bio of each of the three Raiders along with their autographs.

A valuable addition for any Doolittle Tokyo Raider collection, this very limited edition, signed program (printed for the dinner attendees only) is available for only $25.00. You will pay many times this amount for Raider signatures on prints which are far more common than this unique program.

As of March 2009, there are nine surviving members of the original eighty Doolittle Raiders. You can read about the Raiders and view a list of survivors by clicking here.

A group of "Flying Circus" models by Nabisco, dated 1948. Nabisco printed a series of flying models on the shredded wheat separator cards. 24 flying models were issued along with numerous information cards on "how to" make, decorate and fly the paper models. The following card from that series shows the entire series:

The XB-47 card, 3 15/16" x 7 3/8", shown below, is typical of the style of these cards. Note that the card models were designed by Wallis Rigby, a famous British designer of paper and card models.

These original separator cards are cheap cardboard, grey in color, but heavy enough to make a creditable model. If you would like to print out a card for the Lockheed P-80, along with an information card showing how to make the model, you can access a PDF file by clicking here.

Wallis Rigby is quite famous for his many lines of paper models, from ships and trains to actual rubber-powered flying models. He was written up in many publications from the 1930s through the 1950s. You can view the Rigby Paper Model Club website by clicking here. Note that this club offers downloadable copies of Rigby designs, including the complete Nabisco series being offered here. You can also view the magazine articles written about Wallis Rigby.

Included in the group being offered are 12 information cards and 22 of the 24 airplane cards - missing numbers 6 and 24. The cards are presented in an album with separate pockets for each card. This group of original Nabisco Flying Circus cards is available for $75.00.

Here is a superb snapshot of late 1930s history, particularly for the aviation buff. The cover features Donald Wills Douglas and the article under the "Transport" section explores the new pressurized Douglas DC-4 which is expected to fly during the week for the first time. The development of the DC-4 is examined along with the history of Donald Douglas; Chief Engineer Arthur Raymond and Test Pilot Carl Cover are pictured. A 2-page article, "Soldiers in the Sky," looks at the latest airplanes in the Air Corps inventory; ramifications of the newly formed GHQ A.F. are mentioned with quotes by Major General Frank Andrews. A diagram shows the recent G.H.Q. Air Force Maneuvers. The Nazis are in Czechoslovakia, Japanese offensive in China, the Spanish Civil War and more - all in this issue! Child movie star Shirley Temple has her poster featured which she painted for the Post Office Department's Air-Mail week. Great ads include "White Label" scotch, Texaco rest rooms (registered no less), The White Motor Company, Coca Cola, SPAM, Firestone, Camels, Cadillac Fleetwood, White Rock Water (to be used as a whiskey mixer, not as a walk-around drink in your backpack), and a center spread for the new 20th Century Limited streamliner of the New York Central System (steam). Enjoy the nostalgia that this issue exudes, all for only Sorry Sold - a real time machine that will transport you back to 1938.

"The gratitude of every home in our island, in our Empire, and indeed throughout the world, except in the abodes of the guilty, goes out to the British airmen, who, undaunted by odds, unwearied by their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the world war by their prowess and by their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few" (From a speech made by Mr. Winston Churchill)

This extra large publication (cover shown above), measuring 12 5/16" x 19", consists of 44 pages of photos and paintings of aircraft from the R.A.F. and the Fleet Air Arm, plus U.S.A., Germany and Italy; these illustrations are from The Illustrated London News. Published in 1941, the above quote is carried on the inside front cover as Britain is recovering from the German aerial siege of 1940 and the danger of invasion by German forces. Printed in the same style as the sepia rotogravure section of the "News." The centerfold has "The Air Might of Great Britain: A comprehensive picture of aircraft types in use with our various air arms." This centerfold painting has about 60 airplanes depicted. The publication is in excellent condition with intact covers and undamaged pages with the exception of a slight crinkle at lower spine area; the centerfold page is loose from the staples. A typical set of pages is shown below.

Sixty-five plus years later, this exceptional document is in remarkable condition and tells the story of England's air forces in 1941 - far from what will represent Bomber Command's inventory in 1943-1945 and only the early models of fighters along with many biplanes. No Lancaster, Halifax, Stirling, Typhoon etc., all yet to come after 1941. A few early models of American aircraft such as the B-17, B-24, Lightning, Buffalo, P-39, P-40, SBC-3, B-25, A-20, Wildcat, Catalina, DB-8A-5, and Maryland - many of which were unsuccessful as combat aircraft in their early configurations.

Imagine yourself in London following the Blitz of 1940 - looking through this gallery of warplanes must have given a certain degree of encouragement to the beleaguered citizenry. This outstanding piece of British publishing was sold for Three Shillings and Sixpence. Today you can add this historical document to your library for $150.00.

A Cessna Model 150 Owner's Manual for the 1967 150. This manual was sold by Cessna through their service and publications department; this manual was printed in 1973 and is a genuine Cessna product which is priced at $25.00.

Also have for sale a rare, original 1957 Cessna 172 Owner's Manual (not a reprint); includes an AOPA decal, a NAA decal and a CAA "Flight Plan" form ACA-398 dated 7-58. $30.00.

A 1954 booklet commemorating the dedication of the San Francisco International Airport. This 64 page booklet tells the story of the beginnings and development history of the airfield at the Mills Estate, commencing in 1926. This booklet is unmarked and in excellent condition. The illustrations below are from the booklet. Price for this SF history is only $30.00.

The Greenwich Workshop heavily promoted aviation art in the late 1980s with artists Frank Wootton, Keith Ferris, Wilson Hurley and Bill Phillips, all recognized top artists; a little later Craig Kodera was included in their print releases. As one of their promotional items, a briefing portfolio was used as a mailer; it included an excellent aviation art overview in the form of a "target" briefing and fourteen print sell sheets, all collectibles today. This original briefing package, including the mailing envelope, is available for $25.00.

Model aviation magazines such as Flying Aces, Model Airplane News, and Air Trails, in their various formats and titles from 1932 issues,for some,through 1944 and newer. These old model magazines contain wonderful 3-views and information on full scale aviation as well as models. Excellent nostalgia at good prices. Check the old ads and wish you had a time machine! Prices run from $15 for the 1932 through 1936, $10 for 1937 through 1944, $8 for 1945 through 1949 and $6 for 1950s issues. I can't guarantee any particluar year/month, but will search issues and try to find the issue that you are looking for. Shipping charges for magazines will be "as charged" by the USPS.

A rare aviation reference book from 1931 is offered on Aviation Books page - this book includes a number of airway maps. A duplicate of one of these maps, Flight Service Map No. 16, is available separately. The Foreword of the book begins:

This book has been compiled to fill a long-felt need of the entire aviation industry for a complete handbook and reference guide. The purpose of the contents is to give in one volume pertinent, complete and heretofore not readily accessible information to the two classes of men who are the industry - those who fly, and those who, on the ground, are responsible for the construction, organization, and operation of aircraft and airlines.

The book has 21 Mercator projection flying maps covering the entire country; there are 75,000 miles of plotted Magnetic Courses covering all official and non-official airways, both in tabulated form and printed on the maps. There is a "Blind Flying and Radio Bearing Flying" section, meteorology, Department of Commerce regulations, listing of all airports and emergency landing fields and a buyers guide. The book has 424 pages along with a map folder which contains all twenty-one flying maps. A true one-stop aviation guide dating to 1931.

A high resolution section of the Flight Service Map No. 16, covering Dayton, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Louisville area can be viewed by clicking here. Use the back arrow to return to this page.

This unusual and original aviation map from 1931 can be purchased for $15.00.

Airline Memorabilia. This Boeing 247 brochure was printed by United Air Lines to promote its new B247 and it describes the airplane and the routes. "'Three-Mile-A-Minute'Boeing transport as displayed at the 1933 World's Fair." A 2-fold brochure with picture and info with specs and route on back. It measures 3 7/16" x 6 5/32" before folding. 1933-34 United Air Lines material and is priced at $40.00.

An original UAL ticket envelope from August 10, 1949 for a Seattle to Vancouver round trip flight. Envelope contains tickets, postcards, baggage tags etc., all in excellent condition. Although the DC-6 Mainliner is touted, the ticket is for a DST.

This terrific example of airline travel in 1949 is available for $45.00.

A pre-WWII Comet catalog from 1940/41 featuring the full line of Comet models, from five-cent solids to the famous Comet Sailplane and Zipper gas models. Also included are engines and accessories, race cars, railroad, ship models, and the complete StromBecKer solid kit line. A wide range of flying models, scale and contest - see "Sparky" below. Sixty-four pages of great stuff - the Comet line before the Speed-O-Matics hit during WWII. 5 3/8" x 7 3/4". A great piece of modeling nostalgia for only $SORRY SOLD.

A 1950 copy of the terrific British model magazine, Aeromodeller. This April issue is chock full of model goodies - the vintage magazine is uncommon in the U.S. A flying model of the S.P.A.D. S-7C1 Scout spans four pages including a cutaway drawing of the completed model; a portion of the plan is shown below.

Full page ads for Mercury, Halfax, FROG 500, Veron, E.D., ECC, Raylite, H.J.N., Solarbo, Keil Kraft, along with numerous smaller ads, enhance the memories associated with this prolific modelling era. Lots of articles including a 2-page spread on the Wildcat diesel engine with 3-view, photos, performance curve, specs and general construction data. U-control, gliders, New Zealand, Airfoil sections, Model News, indoor, fuels, building tips, and a 3-view of the Auster Autocar are some of the topics covered. A nifty magazine for Sorry Sold Generally in excellent condition throughout; cover is torn in the fold at the lower spine - no repairs.

James Crawford Angel, born in August 1899, became famous for his claim, in 1933, that he discovered the highest waterfall in the world in Venezuela, while flying over the interior. Other explorers in the region had probably also "discovered" the falls, but it was Jimmie Angel that got not only the credit, but the honor of having the falls named after him, "El Salto Angel," or "Angel Falls."

Jimmie Angel's world-wide adventures and exploits are in the "Indiana Jones" category, far too much for this brief summary. Tulio R. Sato, of the Latin American Aviation Historical Society, has written an account of Angel's life and exploits which you can view by clicking here. Also, Jimmie Angel's niece, Karen Angel, has a summary and photos of the Venezuelan adventures which you can access by clicking here. Also, you might enjoy an interview with Karen Angel. Additional web information can be obtained from the Eversole Research Collection.

From the web: "Angel was working as an aviator guide in the Gran Sabana for the Santa Ana Mining Company of Tulsa, Oklahoma in the fall of 1933 with mining official D. H. Curry and Mexican co-pilot and mechanic Jose Cardona. While on a solo flight November 14, 1933, Angel flew into Devil's Canyon and saw for first time what was to eventually become known to the world as Angel Falls. Due to ceaseless heavy rains, Curry and Cardona quit the area without seeing what Angel referred to as his "mile high waterfall. The name Angel Falls came about during a Caracas reunion in 1937 of Angel and his friends, American petroleum geologist I. F. "Shorty" Martin and Venezuelan civil engineer and expert outdoorsman and mountaineer Gustavo (Cabuya: "String") Heny. They were talking about the waterfall and when they didn't have a name for it, Heny suggested the name Angel Falls; using Jimmie's last name because it was he who had made it known to the world."

"Jimmie Angel flies his Cincinnati built Metal Airplane Company Flamingo over Angel Falls Venezuela," by Michael Boss. This 26" X 18" Gouache on Rag Board painting depicts Jimmie Angel on one of his exploratory flights over what would become known as Angel Falls; this flight would have been around 1936 as the Flamingo Model G-2, c/n 11, NC-94873 (shortened to 9487), was purchased by Angel and his partners on August 8, 1936. The Flamingo was an eight place airplane, powered by a Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine of 450hp. This particular Flamingo, was named "El Rio Caroni." At least 21 examples of this model were built, but the Rio Caroni is the sole survivor. The All Metal Aircraft Company ceased to exist many years ago. This painting is available for $3200.00.

Jimmie Angel and Angel Falls became better known to the world as the result of his October 9, 1937 landing of El Rio Caroni, his Flamingo airplane, on Auyan-tepui (mesa), above the falls, in search of McCracken's river of gold. This near-disastrous excursion to the isolated heights above Angel Falls left his damaged airplane on the Auyantepui until 1970 when it was brought out by first a FAV Bell UH-1H and a C-123; the airplane was restored and is currently on outdoor exhibit at Canaima, Cindad Bolivar Airport. At present, a Cessna Grand Caravan flies sightseeing trips over the falls from Canaima; a number of lodges around Canaima cater to travelers seeking adventure and a glimpse of the falls.

In his later life, with the family growing and the children needing a stable place to live, Jimmie and his family returned to the United States, during 1954. They settled in Santa Barbara, California, and lived there for two years. Angel died in December 1956 as a result of injuries suffered in an airplane crash.

A significant historical artifact from the life of Jimmie Angel was left in Santa Barbara during the 1954-56 stay. The all important "Pilot's Identification Card," issued by the Department of Commerce for James C. Angel , become the property of a local pilot who must have been a friend of Jimmie; this pilot's card is now being offered here for sale. The card was issued on April 1, 1928 which "accompanies Pilot's License No. 1987." The card carries Jimmie's signature, photograph and is signed on the back by Captain Gordon Armitage. This card was issued less than one year from the date of the first pilot's licensed issued in the U.S.; William P. MacCracken, the first federal regulator of aviation, also has the distinction of being the first recipient of a pilot's license to be issued by the U.S. Government which was issued on April 6, 1927. Photos of the card are shown below. Note that this Form R-19 was printed in 1928.

This outstanding, one-of-a-kind piece of history is available for $195.00.

A real neat portfolio of Convair aircraft lithographic reproductions of photos. This is the original mailer/portfolio sent to Sunnyvale, California by Convair. The address side states, "Here are the Convair aircraft photos which you asked for. Captain Convair" Complete with seven 8 1/2" x 11" color reproductions including the 340, T-29B, B-36, XF2Y-1 Sea Dart, F-102, XFY-1 VTO and the R3Y-1 Tradewind. Mid-1950s vintage. The Tradewind is the long-nose original version which is one sleek looking, turbo-prop flying boat. I was at North Island in 1950 and got to watch Convair do flight tests in San Diego Bay; I remember timing the takeoff of the flying boat at only 28 seconds. Each aircraft shown in the folio is also depicted in a 3-view silhouette with a short description and specs. Normal wear on folio, photos perfect, and a small coffee stain on portfolio outside. Super 50s nostalgia back when manufacturers send out these nice kits when you wrote in for information. Price is SOLD, BUT Have same set of litho photos without folio, priced at $17.50. Shipping on this sort of ephemera will be by USPS Priority Mail and will cost about $3.95.

Various United Air Lines promotional material from the 1940s will be offered here.

POSTCARDS ETC.

The postcards shown below are from the 1940s - the captions are from the reverse side. The postcards are unused and like new. Each card is priced at $12.00.

This AIR EXPRESS brochure is 8.5 x 13.5 inches two-fold and is dated 12-43. ...But these wings are helping WIN the battle of production.. Shows how Air Express is helping speed important and critical cargo. Brochure is in like new condition and is priced at $4.00.

UNITED AIR LINES EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL - 1943

United Air Lines prepared "Aviation Kits" for High School, Intermediate Grades and Primary Grades during WW2. These kits consisted of quality materials covering airline and aviation subjects; the items included in the kits were actually adult oriented, certainly not child-like, and did not "talk down" to the children. These schoold aids are now very nice collectibles, most referring to the DC-3 and DC-4. A selection from these kits is offered below - all of these ephemera items are in excellent condition.

POSTER "Improved Coast-to-Coast Transportation." 12 x 18 inches, one side, folded, b & w, compares the time to travel across the USA from 1856 to 1940 (takes the DC-3, shown above from the poster, 15 hrs. 45 min. versus 29 days by rail and stage in 1856). Marked with "United Air Lines Photo, Department of School and College Service." $3.00.

POSTER "To Help You Find and Name the Important Parts of a Mainliner." 9 x 15 9/16 inches, two sides, Copyright 1943, features the DC-3, three fold. A portion of the open poster (pages 2 and 3) is shown below; also has a nice in-flight photo on page 4. Price is $4.00.

SCOOL KIT BROCHURE "United Air Lines Offers 3 Popular Aviation Kits," a two-side, 8 5/8 x 14 inch leaflet which explains the program and lists the contents of the kits which are priced at 25 cents each. $2.00.

AVIATION HANDBOOK "Aviation Handbook for Intermediate Grades" is a 52-page Teacher's Handbook containing pictures, stories, teaching suggestions etc.; it measures 5 3/4 x 8 3/4 - the cover is pictured below. $8.00.

POSTER "A study of the important parts of the Mainliner 300," a two fold, single color poster which folds out to 8 1/2 x 33 inches and features pictures and cutaway of the DC-4. the "Mainliner 300." Page 2 is pictured below. Price of this nifty poster is $15.00.

PICTURES A dozen b & w pictures, 12 x 18 inches, single fold, were issued for these school kits. Printed on relatively thin paper, these pictures were probably used to tack to bulletin boards etc. - many historical scenes. Each of these is priced at $3.00. Shown below is one-half of "SWALLOW MAIL PLANE - 1926" poster, with a Swallow at Boise flying the C.A.M. 5 route.

Also available: "Grandfather of World Flight - 1903," "Boeing 80-A - 1929," "When Air Mail Was Young - 1928" (Boeing 95), "Inside Cabin of Mainliner" (all men wearing suits and ties, all women wearing hats), "Converted World War I DeHavilland - 1920," "Boeing 40-B - 1927" (C.A.M. 18), "The Pilots' Compartment," "Post-War Mainliner" (new DC-4 Mainliner), "Boeing 247 - 1933," and "Ford Tri-Motor - 1930."

LEAFLET "Our New Age of Flight" - a two color, 8 1/2 x 11 inch, 4 page leaflet with a photo of the "New Mainliner, Douglas-Built DC-6", NC30001 (was that a DC-6?). $2.00.

AIRLINE MAP "Air Lines of the United States" measures 18 x 23 inches, two-fold along with a one-page guide, "Some Possible Uses of the Airline Map of the United States." Courtesy of the "Official Guide of the Airways." Price is $8.50.

COLOR PHOTO An 8 1/2 x 11 inch color litho photo of a DC-3 in flight by E.D. McGlone along with another United Air Line color litho of an industrial area. Both for $3.00.

A terrific portfolio of aircraft paintings depicting the airplanes used by Czechoslovak Airlines (CSA) in the 50 years from 1923 to 1973 is offered on the Aviation Art Prints page. The item offered here is an interesting piece of CSA airline memorabilia which was used for the entertainment of young passengers. A paper doll stewardess (or flight attendant for the PC crowd) on folded card stock, each part measuring 8 ¼" x 11 5/8". All of the items are die cut, ready to punch out. The cardstock is bright and in new condition as if picked up by a young Czechoslovakian passenger on this morning's flight from Prague to Zurich. Ask yourself, how many Czech paper dolls have you seen lately? I believe this item is from the 1970s. If you would like to see the historical timeline of Czech Airlines, click here for CSA.

The pictures below show the paper doll - the actual item is sharp and full size. I won't tell if you download these pics and cut the doll out. If you want the real thing, it will cost you $37.50 to become acquainted with this lovely stew, although she's likely to be about to retire from CSA by now!

A forty-eight page booklet by Standard Oil Company (Indiana) published in 1930, From the Ground Up, explaining "why an airplane flies - and how it is flown - simply explained." The foreword reads, "From the Ground Up explains the fundamentals of aviation. It is airmed to exploit facts about flying as we have experienced them. Standard Oil Company (Indiana) operates two airplanes. One is a single motored biplane called the Stanolind Jr. No. 2. The other is a three motored monoplane known as the Stanolind 3rd. In this book we will discuss the Stanolind No. 2. You will see why it flies and you may ride with our pilot while he explains the simple mechanics of flying. We take pleasure in dedicating this book to the pioneers of aviation - to those men and women who have struggled to make air transportation a reality." The Ford Tri-motor, as appears on page 36, is pictured above.

The booklet has been well used and has some water stain on the front paper cover. The center pages are loose from the center staples at fold but the booklet is complete. Though worn and well read, this 75-year-old tome on flying is well worth the $40.00 price to establish that the "art" of flying hasn't changed in the last three-quarters of a century.

Fold-out route maps from SAS. These have card stock covers and are five-fold to a dimension of 9 1/16" x 30 1/2". One is a route map for Europe (showing mileage between cities) and the other is a route map for the North Atlantic. There is a chart on each side as shown below for the North Atlantic route map. Each is in outstanding condition with undamaged and bright covers and a bright map with no damgage or fading. These have been printed in Stockholm and are dated as 1957 for the North Atlantic and 1958 for Europe. SAS flew the DC-6B and took delivery of the DC-7C, Seven Seas, in 1957; the airplane on the cover appears to be a DC-7 or -6.

The right hand side of the North Atlantic map has an explanation of why several routes are shown: "Patterns and paths over the seas." It is explained that the "Douglas plane" will take advantage of pressure patterns and winds, so: "Then, on one flight you may cruise in the high latitudes near Greenland; on another, you may travel the lanes far to the South."

These are outstanding airline items in great condition and celebrate the very last of the great piston engine airliners spanning the Atlantic in the few years just before the jets came in service. Each SAS route chart is priced at $65.00. "Wherever you go...go by SAS - The Global Airline."

Wealthy aviation enthusiast Jacques Schneider created the Schneider Trophy Race for hydro-aeroplanes to encourage development of seaplanes; the first race was held in Monaco on April 16, 1913 with a French victory over the 174 mile water course at an average speed of 45.74 mph. Over the years, until the final race in 1931, the Schneider Trophy competition resulted in the world's fastest airplanes at the time - the unlimited "runway" allowed high power loadings and high wing loadings, both necessary for speed. The fact that these incredible airplanes were carrying floats makes the speed records all the more interesting.

The penultimate race was held in England in 1929 at Spithead on September 7th. The ephemera item being offered is a railroad timetable "Programme of Special Train, Boat and Ticket arrangements" by the Southern Railway. This 64-page booklet, measuring 6"x 9 3/4", has complete schedules of all trains running on September 7th, many having "Special Service" as between "Portsmouth, Gosport and Southampton, Eastleigh, Salisbury, etc." (page 36). Maps of the course, area, and Ryde Pier Head are included.

The Royal Air Force website, www.raf.mod.uk, has the following account of the 1929 race which, incidentally, was the last race to have more than a single country entered in the competition.

"The 1929 Race. The victory (1927) ensured that the next race would be held over British water, the location again being Cowes. This was not to be until 1929, as the various participants and the FAI agreed that the increasing costs and technological advances were prohibitive to an annual event.

"Following its 1927 victory, the High Speed Flight had been disbanded and it was expected that no Treasury money would be made available to finance a British team for the 1929 meeting. This did not happen, but the Air Ministry objected to the use of its pilots, but agreed to supply the aircraft. That said, the High Speed Flight reformed in February 1928 and the following month an attempt on the world speed record would be made by Flt Lt S Kinkhead in one of the S5s. During the attempt, Kinkhead plunged into the sea during the steep approach to the start of the course and was killed. He was replaced by Flt Lt D D'Arcy A Greig who was joined by Flt Lt GH Stainforth, Fg Offs RLR Atcherley and HRD Waghorn. Flight Commander was Sqn Ldr AH Orlebar.

"Air Ministry funded was not forthcoming for new engines and so Rolls Royce financed the building of a military engine with 'racing capabilities'. Whilst the engine was still a paper design, RJ Mitchell of the Supermarine Company began work on the S6 aircraft which would be used by the British team. The basis of the design was the successful S5 airframe and two S6s were ordered. The designers at Glosters were not idle and soon their next design, the Gloster V biplane racer, was taking shape. This eventually saw the light of day as a monoplane and was Air Ministry funded was not forthcoming for new engines and so Rolls Royce financed the building of a military engine with 'racing capabilities'. Whilst the engine was still a paper design, RJ Mitchell of the Supermarine Company began work on the S6 aircraft which would be used by the British team. The basis of the design was the successful S5 airframe and two S6s were ordered. The designers at Glosters were not idle and soon their next design, the Gloster V biplane racer, was taking shape. This eventually saw the light of day as a monoplane and was designated the Gloster VI. Two of these were ordered at a cost of £25,000. The design was fated never to compete in the race. During trials, many unexplained failures of its Napier Lion engine occurred and the type withdrawn.

"The only challengers to make the race meeting were Italy who brought a further development of the M52 airframe, the M52R, and a new aircraft, the Macchi M67. It had been intended that France would compete after a six-year absence but the two designs chosen for the 1929 race were not completed in time and the team withdrew. As for the Americans, it was a familiar tale. The government still refused to support an entry for the Schneider Trophy and left any finances to be raised privately. This did happen, but the intended aircraft, the Kirkham-Williams Mercury, which was to have been powered by a secretly-built US Navy engine, was barely capable of sustained flight and again the US did not attend. Neither did the Germans who had hoped to race, but their Dornier project never got off the drawing board.

"On the eve of the race a small piece of metal was found in the engines of one of the S6s and after further investigation it was found that one of the pistons was damaged necessitating a cylinder block change. A sweep of the local hostelries and pubs raised enough Rolls Royce engineers to carry out the task, and after a full night's work and ground running, the aircraft was ready at 0800 on the day of the race.

"The race weather was perfect and the first aircraft airborne was the S6 of Flt Lt Waghorn. The aircraft performed beautifully until Waghorn reached the sixth lap the engine began to misfire forcing the pilot to climb in the hope that should it fail completely, he could glide to the end. The engine duly failed, but Waghorn had insufficient height to carry out his plan and landed on the water short of the finish, cursing his luck. When he sighted his engineers approaching the becalmed aircraft, he noticed that they had broad smiles on their faces - having miscounted his laps, he had, as Webster had at the previous meeting, flown one extra lap. It was on this lap that the engine had failed.

"D'Arcy Greig in the sole S5 and Warrant Officer Dal Molin of Italy in the M52R were caught up in a furious battle in the skies above, both at full chat in the event that Waghorn had failed to complete the distance. The remaining pilots and aircraft suffered a variety of problems. 'Batchy' Atcherley in the second S6 lost his goggles in the slipstream and flew the remainder of his race crouched inside the cramped cockpit, but was disqualified after misjudging a turn and going inside a pylon. The final realistic challenge to Waghorn's time ended when a coolant pipe broke on the second Macchi M67, scalding its pilot who successfully landed his aircraft before being taken to hospital for treatment.

"Flt Lt Waghorn's average speed of 328.63 mph (528.77 km/h) was some 44mph (71 km/h) faster than second-placed Dal Mollin in the M52R who just edged D'Arcy Greig into third by barely 2mph.

The win set up, for the third time, the chance for a team to win the Schneider Trophy outright. As no less a person than Prime Minister Ramsey MacDonald commented, 'We are going to do our level best to win again.'" This was to happen with the Supermarine S6B in 1931.

Getting the amazing seaplane racers off the water was a challenge. The following account of the take-off of N247 is from the 1960 Harleyford book, Spitfire - The Story of A Famous Fighter, written by Bruce Robertson, pages 13-14.

"Two o'clock that Saturday afternoon was the scheduled time for N247 to take off. Seven minutes before the hour the engine was started by Mr. A.C. Lovesey, a Rolls-Royce expert, who listened to its roar for two minutes as he sat in the cockpit. Satisfied, he switched off and changed places with Flt. Lt. H.R.D. Waghorn, who made himself comfortable for the race. Just two minutes before zero hour, N247 was lowered into the water from the pontoons. The engine was re-started. It was a perfect day with an azure sky, but there was a slight swell and a 10 m.p.h. wind. take-off was a tricky business; wind and sea conditions both affected trim and, with the great power, torque effect at low revolutions was such that the port wing tried to dig into the water. The port float on this occasion was almost submerged as N247 swung to the left and Waghorn throttle down. For several hundred yards spray completely enveloped the cockpit, then as it lessened it could be seen that the port wing was clear of the water by only a matter of inches, but the machine was steady on its course. Slowly the tail rose slightly as the machine gathered speed for take-off and twice it appeared as if it had lifted clear, but further slight spray indicated that it was in fact skimming. Then finally, without question of doubt, it climbed."

The Italian machines didn't fare well in 1929. The amazing, twin-engine (tandem), counter-rotating propeller Macchi-Castoldi MC72 was developed for the 1931 race. The first two MC72s crashed during testing, killing their pilots, and the third machine couldn't be ready by the race date. The Supermarine S6Bs raced alone winning the trophy for keeps. However, the MC72 was further prepared for trials and, in 1934, it set the world seaplane speed record at 440.661 mph beating the S6B 1931 record speed of 408.8 mph. The era of seaplane racing and speed records was at an end.

Own this piece of air racing history from 1929 and take the train ferry from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight and obtain seating on the Ryde Pier Head, all for only $100.00 SORRY SOLD.

The 1931 winning S6B is now on exhibit in the London Science Museum. I've seen this aircraft and was pleased that the curators have elected to show it in much the same condition as it's last race, as pictured below.

Click the Schneider Trophy Races link below for current information.

A terrific little booklet from 1944. A non-government publication for civilians, written by Theodore J. Ritter and Robert W. Gadbois, this cartoon-style, spiral bound book tells the story of what a cadet should expect in Intermediate and Advanced training. It starts out, "This introduction is an attempt to pass the word to ye civilian reader about what goes in an intermediate training station for Naval Aviation. As usual civilians include members of the cadet's family, betrothed ones (and we use the plural advisedly) and all others interested in the flight training, the Navy, the uniforms, and the flight pay. This latter is especially directed at those young ladies who have a personal stake in the fortunes of newly commissioned Ensigns.

"Intermediate flight training, and this is no military secret, is carried on at two places in the country, both having access to the Gulf of Mexico with its opportunities for seaplanes, its warm, dank weather, and its perpetual cumulus clouds. One of these centers is at Pensacola, Florida, and the other at Corpus Christi, Texas. At this writing the course of training offered is almost identical and has been since Corpus Christi, the newer base, was commissioned."

These Elmore books appeared in five different volumes, this being the last (Phase V). The others are Flight Preparatory School, War Training Service, Pre-Flight School, and Primary Training. The books were available, "… from book stores, Ship's Service Stores, Post Exchanges, news companies, or directly from the publishers."

The book has 140 pages, including the eleven page introduction written by TJR N.A.T.C. CORPUSCOLA JULY, 1944. The balance of the book consists of one cartoon per page, showing cadet life and training in a humorous light. The 5 1/8" x 8" book is in complete, unmarked condition and can be purchased for $32.50. Several examples of pages are shown below.

The Cessna Employees Club Newspaper, the Cessquire, printed October 30, 1942. 16 pages, 9" x 12" and chock full of employee news and WWII tidbits. Center has pics of Bamboo Bomber production. This is the wonderful thing about ephemera; for only $5.00 you can transport yourself back to 1942 and be part of the Cessna production team. Imagine what it would have been like to live and work in Wichita in WWII. Vintage paper items are so much more convincing and satisfying than reading the same thing in a book; you're reading the same paper that all those wartime defense workers perused. Take a time capsule for only $5.

The Columbus Division of North American Aviation Inc. mailed out this envelope containing sixteen 2-fold brochures of North American airplanes from T-6s to Sabres. Each sheet is 2-color and is 5" x 19 3/16" in size before a 2-fold to 9 1/2". The original mailing envelope is somewhat tattered but has a 1955 postmark. Each airplane litho photo is designed to be cutout and mounted on a folded "stand" that is printed on the brochure. This is the delightful sort of "give-away" that the aircraft manufacturers used to send the "kid" that wrote in and asked for a picture of his favorite airplane. Remember North American? Sad that the manufacturers are slowly being assimilated into what will eventually become a single conglomerate company. Celebrate the past and own this set of 16 pictures for only $23.50.

These are interesting and inexpensive WWII training artifacts. Cardstock models in 1:72 scale which punch out of heavy, black cardstock and assemble by pressing parts in place. These make reasonable three-dimensional models suitable for recognition training. I have several photos in our Friend or Foe? Museum which show WWII classrooms with these cardstock models hanging from the ceiling as training aids. Assemble these for display or leave in the envelope. I have pictured the envelope only as the black cardstock doesn't photograph well. The model pictured is; SCOUT BOMBER U.S. Navy SB2A-1 Buccaneer, British Bermuda I, A.A.F. A-34, Silhouette Model, 1:72 Scale, Ref. No. CM-526, 2/22/43. Army Air Forces - Aircraft Identification Section. Price for this WWII item is only $37.50. ALSO available: P-38E, CM-502, $45.00; F2A-3 Buffalo, CM-518 (interesting because the Buffalo didn't appear in the cellulose acetate line of recognition models), $33.00; and one British bomber, priced at only $45 because the envelope is in poor condition, but the cardstock is in good condition and would make a fine model: Lancaster, CM-610.

"The Airport . . . Its Importance to Your Community"

Sketches and Text

An entertaining brochure put out by the Shell Oil Company Incorporated, 100 Bush St., Shell Building, San Francisco, 6, Calif. Entitled "The Airport. . . Its Importance to Your Community" on the cover, each brochure was imprinted on the cover and on the title page with the name of the particular community, in this case "Heronville" (Anybody know where that is?). The title page reads, "Prepared in the Interest of Heronville," and "For the Coming Age of Flight." There is no date given, however the text states, "But 1950 is almost here.." so a date of around 1948 is a reasonable guess. Each page contains text and sketches. The above color illustration/cartoon is titled "Caught Short in Post War". This is a serious document, with instructions on how to set up an airport committee, select a site etc., prepared by the Shell Aviation Department. Size is 11" x 14" and is printed on heavy textured paper and spiral bound. 38 pages. A very desirable piece of airport Americana with corporate influence. This is the only one I've ever run across. Price is $85.00plus shipping.

A 1977 signed and flown cover featuring the signatures of Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader, CBE,DSO,DFC and Generalleutnant Adolf Galland. This cover was flown in a Hawker Siddeley 125 Mk I on 21 October 1977 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first flight of a production Hurricane by the H.G. Hawker Engineering Co. on 12 October 1937 at Brooklands. The cover is backstamped 15 November 1977 at RAF Northolt and is marked as Nr. 42 von 50 Exemplaren. A particularly desirable cover, it also includes a wartime photo of Galland as shown above. Price is $SORRY SOLD but have another signed cover for $215.00.

An 8" x 10" black and white photo of Spitfire Mk. IX, Mk 923, "5J-Z", taken at Portage, Canada in 1980 during a Spitfire pilots reunion. This Spitfire originally came from Belgium in 1963 and was owned for many years by actor Cliff Robertson. This fighter is now owned by Craig McCaw (ex-husband of Santa Barbara News Press owner Wendy McCaw) and is at the Museum of Flight, Seattle. It is not currently flying. This photo is available for $25.00. This Mk IX is currently (2008) being displayed in the Personal Courage Wing of the Museum of Flight, as pictured below (CollectAir photo).

The following airline items are from European airlines of 1929. These are all passenger articles which clearly portray the relationship between the airlines and the ticket buyers, one of assurance that the system is airworthy and guarantees safe travel, even though precautions are offered. More items will be added in the future.

The Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij (KLM) airline is featured in most of these documents. The cover pictured above is a route map, "Luchtroute Amsterdam - London", showing a very detailed flying route down the coast and across the Channel to London. The inside of the cover shows the overall route as seen below. The route map was sponsored by Shell as is obvious. As the passenger flew from Shiphol, he could follow the progress of the airplane in detail along the coast and then from Calais across the "Kanaal" to Folkestone , across Kent to Croydon Airfield.. This map is in nearly as-new condition but shows an indication that it was actually used by a passenger as there is a tiny pencil written "photo" alongside the town of Walcheren. The map folds out to 60 inches! The very bottom of the map is also pictured showing the area around Croydon; note the airfields which are destined to become famous ten years later, Biggin Hill and Kenley. The airfields are shown along the route in solid red. Good landing terrain spots are shown in lined squares; emergency landing areas which fit the "precautions" mentioned above.

Croydon was the London airport in 1929 and it was London's first airport. Passengers checked in under an impressive glass dome in the art deco style departure hall. In 1929, KLM was flying the twin-engine Fokker F.8 and the three-engine F.7/3m equipped with Wright Whirlwind J-5 engines (Lindbergh's NYP engine) and some single-engine Fokkers were also used. KLM, headed by Dr. Albert Plesman, was an affiliate of DLH, the German Deutsche Luft Hansa, which controlled most of the European continental routes. The Croydon Airport Society has a Croydon exhibit at the visitor centre in Airport House, located in the control tower of the original terminus building. The Aerodrome Hotel was built on the new Croydon Airport in 1928; this hotel has been renovated and is operated by the Westmead Business Group, Croydon, Surrey. Amy Johnson, the first solo female flyer to Australia, departed Croydon in May 1930; a replica of her Gipsy Moth, G-AAH "Jason", is on temporary display in the hotel as of Spring 2003. Many famous pilots stayed in this hotel.

This exquisite airline item is available for $110.00 SORRY SOLD. A similar document, also in nearly as-new condition, showing the route from Amsterdam to Paris, is also available at the same price. Both can be purchased for $210.00 SORRY SOLD.

As you boarded the Fokker at Shiphol, each passenger was given an information leaflet, the title of which is shown at left. This hand-out is 7 5/8" x 9" single fold and covers the use of lifebelts, how to operate the "air tube" ventilation, emergency exits, communication with the pilot ("...through the door behind the pilot seat."), and general notes. Here are some of the "General Notes" which I think you'll find interesting: "Don't be concerned if the machine on starting taxies slowly towards a corner of the aerodrome. The machine always starts and lands against the wind.

"After running about 120 yards the machine almost imperceptibly rises from the ground.

"The so-called 'bumping' movement sometimes experienced is occasioned by the irregular temperatures of the air or strong winds, and it is in no way dangerous. It corresponds to the motion of a ship at sea. The machines are so stable that passengers can have every confidence and with such get quickly accustomed to the motion. It may interest passengers to know that the machines of the K.L.M. have proved their air worthiness and stability by flights across the Channel when the regular cross Channel steamers have been prevented from sailing owing to stormy weather.

"When flying in a curve machines heel slightly to one side but passengers remain sitting upright in their seats.

"There is no discomfort in looking downwards while flying; dizziness is unknown in aeroplanes as there is no connection with the earth.

"Do not throw these receptacles out of the machine." And more!

This document is marked '29 and is in a remarkable as-new condition. Priced at $45.00.

A wonderful airline nostalgia item, a 1929 KLM time table booklet, "Nederlandsche Luchtreisgids", which is in like-new condition, just as you would have picked it up from the Amsterdam KLM counter at Shiphol.

The cover is shown above, 11 x 17.1 cm. in size. The back cover, below, has an ad for the Fokker airplanes which are operated by KLM in 1929.

The booklet is divided into tabbed sections, covering not only the schedules and fares, but also sections on the aircraft, baggage, route maps (including one to India and Batavia) with photos and general passenger information. Nicely drawn pen-and-ink sketches head several of the sections; all of the booklet is in Dutch with the exception of some English in advertisements.

The photo above is from the booklet's "Vliegveldbezoek"section showing "Bestuurdersplaats 3-motorig Fokker vliegtuig". A very nice Fokker F VIII model of about 4 ft. wingspan is shown hanging over the KLM counter in one photo "K.L.M. kantoor te Croydon". Maybe just a coincidence, but KLM donated a 1:20 scale Fokker F.VIII model in 1927 to the Science Museum Heavier-than-air Craft Exhibit in South Kensington. Own this terrific airline item for $195.00.

The brochure shown above is a Boeing Airplane Company promotion and catalog for the Boeing School of Aeronautics for the 1929-1930 school year. The school was located on the Oakland, California Airport in Hangar 5 which still exists. The complete curriculum and prices are given along with course descriptions. The center spread in the brochure is shown below; an aerial view of the Oakland Airport which was the largest municipal airport in the U.S. in terms of size, covering more than 845 acres. The colorful cover wraps around to the back side as well; the same artist also did a similar nifty scene for the Boeing product catalog (presented below), the second catalog in this set.

This school brochure measures 154mm by 228mm, has 23 pages with many pictures, and is in superb condition. The companion Boeing product catalog for 1929 uses the similar artwork to the school brochure although not quite as colorful, as shown below.

This catalog has a description of the Boeing company and its facilities and presents the lineup of aircraft manufactured in 1929-1930. Military aircraft pictured include the XP-8, PW-9C, PB-1, F2B-1, F3B-1 and "The latest Boeing achievement in military aircraft, a single seater fighter." Notice that no designation is given to the fighter which is the Model 100 as pictured here.

Civilian aircraft are shown with specifications and prices. These include the Model 80, Mail Planes Model 40-A, B and C, the "New Mail Plane" Model 95 (with a tipped-in spec sheet), and the Model B-1E Flying Boat which you can purchase for only $20,000. The brochure has 15 pages and is in excellent condition with the exception of light spotty foxing on the free endpapers; this slight condition is shown in the following Boeing logo from the front free endpaper.

The product brochure measures 200 mm by 274 mm. It is rare to find companion brochures from the same year and both featuring similar company stylistic artwork. Therefore, these are offered as a set only, priced at $350.00.

A magnificent record of British aviation of 1929, the "Official Catalogue" of The Society of British Aircraft Constructors Ltd. Seventh Annual AERO Exhibition held at the Olympia, London.W. on July 16-27, 1929. This catalogue measures 5 7/8" x 9 1/4" x 7/16" thick and has a whopping 324 pages. Every exhibition space is catalogued with a description of what is shown; two fold out floor plans for the "Gallery" and the "Ground Floor" show the location of all exhibits. The catalogue has many photos and most manufacturers have advertising that is placed near their position in the booklet. This is a snapshot of the entire British industry in 1929. Several foreign aircraft firms are represented, such as Stand 33 which has the "First showing in Great Britain of the Ford Tri-Motored all-metal transport," the 5AT, NC 8412. Shown below is a sample of the advertising for the Short Calcutta, "as supplied to Imperial Airways."

One chart on page 18 shows the location of all civil aerodromes in the London District; they were the Radlett, Stag Lane (de Havilland), Heston, Brooklands, Croydon (airlines), and Romford (Marylands). This catalogue is in fine condition and is priced at $175.00.

A one page leaflet, b&w (8 3/4" x 11 1/4"), light blue in background, offering the Desoutter 3-seater Sports Coupe, "The only British light aeroplane giving saloon car comfort for three people." The Desoutter Aircraft Company, Limited was located at the Croydon Aerodrome. This leaflet was distributed at the 1929 Aero Exhibition (see catalog above). This leaflet has a line drawing of the Sports Coupe along with specifications and price. Price is $27.50.

This mailer-style brochure, PLANE FACTS, was posted in Baltimore during the mid-1950s; the mailing label is intact but I've blanked out the name in the illustration below. From the Glenn L. Martin Company, this pamphlet was issued during the height of Martin's aircraft reign back when they built airplanes. History of the company, many photos and 3-views of the P6M-1, B-57B, P5M and TM-61 Matador and Lacrosse missiles and the Vanguard rocket. Also, the Martin 4-0-4. Front view silhouettes of Martim's previous airplanes, the JRM, PBM-5A, P4M-1, XB-51, B-26, M-130, B-10, BM-1, MB-2 and TT and more, silhouettes of 45 years of Martin airplanes.

With paper covers, this brochure measures 6.7" x 9.7" and has 32 pages of Martin information. This came from the wonderful era when you could write away to the major aircraft companies for information and they would send all sorts of exciting stuff - lithos, brochures and even drawings and 3-views.

Celebrate the Glenn L. Martin company with this 50-year-old document for $40.00.

A wonderful children's booklet featuring nine punch-out paper gliders, printed in 1930. The book measures a large 24.5 x 37 cm and has glider parts perforated and ready to separate in the inside pages. Cut-out Gliders That Really Fly was published by the "Animated Toy Syndicate, Minneapolis, U.S.A." The back cover has instructions with the title, "How to Fly the Cut-out Gliders." The nine planes include small speed models, formations, endurance and even a biplane. Page 2 is shown below.

Books featuring perforated construction parts are expensive when there are no separated parts; someone resisted the temptation to punch. A detail of the fuselage printed on page 2 is given below. Note that this design is an excellent flyer. I don't know when the first models of this design were printed, but it is a classic configuration which, even though this book is over seventy years old, is being sold today. I have in front of me a nice little parlor flyer of the same design which is currently manufactured ("Mike Stone's Amazing Dip-er-do Stunt Plane") and it is a delight to spin around the living room.

This book is in excellent condition; no marks, tears, or punch outs, and the colors are bright. This item could be on the Book Page but because it was made to be destroyed, this page is more appropriate. The price is $212.50.

This Shell aviation poster is entitled "Maintenance" and is No. 2 of G Series of posters. The poster measures 14 1/4" x 21". The whimsical style is similar to the Shell "The Airport..." brochure shown on this page. The detail shown above has this copy alongside: "This," says Lew, wheeling up to the Bloko Aircraft Service Station, "looks like the kind of place where they talk my language - Bargains have allus had a strange fascination for me - it's sorta like getting something for nothing." etc. These posters date from 1940 and were used in magazine advertisements. There are two more available: No. 1 of G Series, "Mid-Air Collisions" SORRY No.1 SOLD and No. 3 of G Series, "Low Flying", each in the same cartoon style. These are great Shell items and vintage FBO ephemera. Each poster is priced at $SORRY, SOLD OUT$.

This 1929 brochure for the Warneford Model Aeroplanes measures 20.7 x 26.5 cm after a one-fold. The cover is shown above along with a detail from page 3. These models were ready-to-fly. The airplane on the cover is described as follows: "The machine illustrated above holds the World's Model Speed Record. Made and flown by our designer, its wonderful performance may be judged by the fact that in a recent competition flying at 34 m.p.h. it covered its own length 20 times per second. The Supermarine S.5 in its record breaking attempt and flying at over 300 m.p.h. covered its own length only 16 times per second."

A "Price List of Spare Parts" is shown on the back. The brochure has been folded in the middle for mailing. This brochure is from the Seventh Annual Aero Exhibition in London where the model airplanes were shown. This fine copy from 1929 is in nearly new condition and is priced at $27.50.

The two photos above are typical of the Lockheed promotional lithographic photos which were given to employees of Lockheed for many years. Each is 11" x 14" in overall size, some with tinted surround border. These are not the posters of wartime ads and other scenes which were apparently given away during the WWII period. Many of Ren Wicks' magazine illustrations for Lockheed were also printed as 16" x 20" posters during the war. The 11" x 14" lithos may also have been used as promotional items but those presented here are enclosed in 11 1/2" x 14 1/2" envelopes which were given to all employees.

Each envelope of photos is available for $30.00.

The earliest group with four pictures is from WWII, about 1943. Captions are: The Vega Ventura Bomber, The B-17 Bomber by Vega, The Lockheed Lodestar, and The Lockheed Hudson. The reverse side of each is blank. The envelope states, "Designed and Produced for the Employees of LOCKHEED and VEGA by the Vega Employee's Recreation Club and Lockheed Employee's Recreation Club, BURBANK, CALIFORNIA."

Three of the envelopes appear to be from the late 1940s into the1950s and each has a different selection of photos. The envelope of the first of these (about 1948), is printed with, "Your Personal Collection - Color Lithographs of the Planes You Help Build." Photo captions are Lockheed Constellation, Lockheed Two Place Shooting Star, Military Air Transport Service Constellation, Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star, U S Navy P2V - Lockheed's Neptune, and U S Navy R60 - Lockheed Constitution. The reverse side of this set is blank.

The second set envelope states, "Your Personal Collection of Lockheed Airplane Pictures." Captions are, Lockheed Radar Super Constellation - U.S.A.F. EC-121D/U.S.N. WV-2, Lockheed Neptune - U.S. Navy P2V-7, Lockheed Super Constellation - Model 1649, Lockheed Seastar - U.S. Navy T2V-1, Lockheed Turboprop Electra (this is an artist's rendition with a statement that it "..will be in service...in 1958"), Lockheed Starfighter - U.S. Air Force F-104, Lockheed Super Constellation - Model 1049H (a painting). Each of this set has specifications and a 3-view on the reverse.

The third 1950s set has photo captions, Lockheed Starfire Interceptor - U.S.A.F. F-94C, Lockheed Super Constellation - U.S.A.F. C-121C/U.S.N. R7V-1, Lockheed Neptune - U.S.N. P2V-5, The Boeing B-47 - Built by Lockheed - Georgia Division, Lockheed AEW Constellation - WV-1, and Lockheed Two-Place Jet Trainer - U.S.A.F. T-33/U.S.N. TV-2. This set is blank on the reverse.

These photo packages were discontinued in the late 1950s. However, a special 30th Anniversary of Lockheed package was given to Lockheed employees in 1962. By this time the company name was changed to the LOCKHEED CALIFORNIA COMPANY. The envelope, in part, states, "Some years ago we offered each employee a set of litho prints of our aircraft." This set, as offered here, has Lockheed P3V-1 Orion, Lockheed F-104 Starfighter (a painting showing four in formation), Lockheed U-2, Lockheed Lunar Landing Module Design (a design concept). Each litho has a description centered on the reverse.

Each of the envelopes above have some distress in the way of split edges, small tears etc. The prints are in generally excellent condition, some with very minor yellowing on edges and some with slight corner crimps. None are creased, wrinkled, spotted etc. and all are suitable for framing.

Lockheed continued to print 11" x 14" promotional litho photos for many years although I don't believe that they were ever given again in sets to the employees. CollectAir has a number of individual Lockheed lithos in this size, most from the 1960s and perhaps 1970s, and each is available for $8.00.

MORE LOCKHEED: THE LOCKHEED STAR Publication - June 16, 1966

The official publication of the LOCKHEED-CALIFORNIA COMPANY, Vol 33 No 13, dated June 16, 1966. Imagine that you're an employee in Burbank in 1966, working on some pretty exciting projects, maybe even the Skunk Works, This is the company newspaper that you'd get each week. Four pages, 11 1/2" x 15", the last three pages are devoted to employee and department news, classifieds and, in this issue, a listing of 25-year veterans (imagine being able to work for the same aerospace company for 25 years!). The front news page has "International Submarine Hunter", discussing production of the P-3B Orion for New Zealand and the new P-3C which will see ASW squadrons in 1969. "Slingshot Fighters" brings news of zero launched (ZELL) F-104Gs at Lagerlechfeld, Germany - and more! Add a company newspaper to your collection of 60's fighters. Price for this 4-page missive is an affordable $2.00. First order gets free 11"x14" Lockheed promo pictures of Seasat-A and Space Telescope from the same era.

Published by Link Aviation, Inc. and Link Mfg. Co., this 4-page, tabloid size (11 1/2 x 16 inches) newsletter, THE CONNECTING LINK, is dated October-November, 1948. There is an "editorial" on page 2 entitled "The Future of Synthetic Training", written by Ed Link - he believes that synthetic training will have a "...very necessary position in the training of jet and rocket airmen..." Lots of ROTC and air age education stuff also. Check up on the 1948 Link for only $6.00.

A hard-to-find grouping of airline ephemera from Eastern Air Lines. These are all internal documents or CAA and CAB information issued to the Eastern pilots. All of these documents belonged to an Eastern Air Lines pilot, Captain M.E. Thayer. The items range from 1937 to 1946. The group consists of:

Five Memorandum sheets with various subjects.
Flight schedule effective December 15, 1937.
Operational Manual Amendments 6-21-41
Radio Range Manual Amendments 4-30-43.
Expense account forms signed by Captain Thayer 12-45 ($33.50 for the month!)
Two Radiograms, Trip forecast 1-22-37
Station Clearance Form, Form EAL52, for Camden to Washington, 6-6-37, for DC-3 NC13737, "Cruise 2000', Time to WA 1:05." This is a most interesting document in that it is signed off by "Pilot in Charge", Dick Dice who later wound up in the ATC "Brass Hat Squadron", the 503rd.
Blank E.A.L. Trip Log.
CAB Summary with pilot notes about vacation schedules, 7-43.
CAA Weekly Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for September 17, 1942, addressed to Captain Thayer.
CAA Airman's Guide issued July 23, 1946, complete.

An excellent selection of paperwork that a DC-3 pilot received in the late 1930s and on into WWII. The memorandums and amendments are printed in the old mimeograph style (too young to remember mimeographs? This is a way to acquaint yourself with the world before copy machines, computers etc.). A fascinating array of working papers and they are all in excellent condition, pretty much as received by Captain Thayer nearly 70 years ago. The public side of airline operation is the prime collectible with airline buffs - the schedules, brochures, advertising, posters - that were directed toward the traveling public. Yet, I think these "inside" documents giving the mundane day-to-day work of dispatching and routine housekeeping are much more interesting and insightful. Compare the methods of 1937 with the modern, computer controlled airline - amazing - but it worked. A small portion of the Station Clearance is shown below as an example.

All of these papers were of the type that would have normally been soon discarded - why Captain Thayer elected to keep all this sort of stuff is something that only the Captain could explain. This is for the really true airline buff that wants to expand beyond the usual schedules and postcard stage - and I'm pricing it at a low $30.00 price, just for that lucky collector.

A 2 3/8" x 5" (when folded) brochure of Copenhagen featuring ten glossy lithographic prints of the city, each 2 1/16" x 4 3/4". Vintage is probably the late 1940s as the picture of a Swiss Air Lines (Swissair) DC-4 is included along with a SAS DC-6 tail, as shown below. The item is marked "Stendersturistmappe" and "Stenders Forlag - Eneret" with an address of 10 Udvalgte Billeder Med Højglans NR. 1612 F". This vintage brochure with SAS connection is priced at $25.00.

A 5" x 7" postcard-style picture of the Northrop YB-49 painted by Kane; undated. Text on reverse starts out: "YB-49 FLYING WING. Preliminary designs for a flying wing bomber were submitted to military authoriities as early as September 1941. Patents covering several elements fo the FW design were issued to the company between 1943 and 1947; the term "Flying Wing" was registered as a Northrop trademark.

"Upon conversion to 8 jet engines from the original propeller-driven, the YB-49 first took to the air on October 21, 1947. Test pilot Max Stanley was at the controls..."

YB-49 Specifications are also printed on the reverse. This like-new card is available for Sorry Sold.

Cigarette, or trading cards, are said to have originated around 1878, but the main impetus for the cards began during the "Tobaco War" of 1900-1902. James B. Duke, through his American Tobacco Company, had ruthlessly taken over most of America's tobacco companies and had promoted sales by using beautiful sets of cards. He then turned his sights on Great Britain and bought a British company; Ogdens, his British trading cards were outstanding and became quite popular. The Brits fought back. Wills, along with twelve other British companies, formed the Imperial Tobacco Company and began issuing their own cards. The war proved to be costly and a truce was made - Ogdens was "returned" to the British and Duke retreated to the U.S. and Cuba. Thus the cigarette cards began to be issued by all major brands in England. Duke died in 1925 and his 13-year-old daughter, Doris, inherited most of his fortune; Duke University and endowments of over a billion dollars are the result of the tobacco king.

The 1930s were the heyday of cigarette cards and collecting became a popular hobby (I guess along with cancer). Wartime paper shortages brought the cards to a halt and they did not reimerged with the same popularity after World War II. Popular British cards during the 1930s include Wills, John Player & Sons, Churchmen's, and Ogden's among hundreds of companies producing the weed. Americans are familiar with the Wings cards.

The cards became miniature reference books, little works of art and represent virtually every aspect of life and history. Aviation related cards are, of course, a very small segment of trading card collecting but the aviation cards are sought after by airplane buffs.

This W.A. & A.C. Churchman's set, The R.A.F. at Work, consists of 48 cards and was issued in 1938, almost 70 years old. The set covers activities of RAF personnel from riggers and mechanics to cooks and petrol drivers - an interesting view of RAF life that you won't obtain from most books. Each card has descriptive text on the back - shown here for the Sergeant Pilot card number 40. Note that in 1938 the idea was for Sergeant Pilots to return to their original trade duty after serving a stint as a pilot! Not likely as WWII loomed.

The set of 48 cards is available for $87.50. Each card measures about 6.8 x 5.3 cm. If desired, I can make a scan of all 48 cards for you to review. Four typical cards are shown below.

"Flying Course" Volume Ten, Lessons 22 to 25. This booklet was published by the Rankin Aircrft Corporation of Portland Oregon in 1928.

The booklet measures 12.1 cm x 20 cm and has six pages. Lessons, in text, are given on Tail Spins Purposely and Tail Spins, Accidentally. The booklet is in condition "fine" and is priced at $22.50.

The Evergreen Aviation Museum, in Oregon, has this comment about John G. "Tex" Rankin, WWI U.S. Army Air Corps, barnstormer, and aerobatics instructor, who is in their Hall of Honor: With an aviation career spanning the years between WWI through the end of WWII, Tex Rankin's aviation enthusiasm inspired thousands of aviators throughout the United States of America. A native of Texas, young John G. Rankin left home at 16 in 1910 in search of adventure and found his way to the United States Army Air Corps. Developing a love of aircraft while serving his country, Rankin made his way to the State of Washington where he learned to fly after his discharge from the Army Air Corps in 1919. Rankin moved to Portland, Oregon, in late 1922 with his strong Texan drawl still in tact. When he started the Rankin Flying Service, he was referred to simply as "Tex"! Before long, many aspiring aviators turned to Rankin for flying lessons. In response, he established the Rankin School of Flight and by 1927, he had instructed over 250 students. More than 60 flying schools nationwide adopted Rankin's series of booklets, known as The Rankin System of Flying Instruction, which covered all phases of flight and emphasized safety as a priority. When he wasn't instructing new pilots, Rankin's Air Circus barnstormed cities and towns throughout the West, with a series of different aircraft, all with a number 13 painted on the side and a black feline passenger for luck. With the advent of WWII, Rankin established the Rankin Aeronautical Academy in Tulare, California, to instruct civilians in aerobatics for the Army Air Corps. During its four and a half year history, the Academy graduated 10,450 cadets, twelve of which became WWII aces. One of America's greatest pilots, Tex Rankin died in the crash of a Republic Seabee in Klamath Falls, Oregon on a routine business flight in 1947.

Return to Top of Page