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Archives at The Museum of Flight


Johnston, A.M. (Alvin M.)

 Person

Biographical Note: Tex Johnston

Alvin M. “Tex” Johnston was a jet age test pilot. He was born in 1914 in Admire, Kansas to Alva and Ella Johnston. In 1932, Johnston graduated from Emporia High School and went on to enroll in the airplane mechanic program at the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

During World War II Johnston signed on to the U.S. Army Air Corps Ferry Command, before taking a position as a production test pilot at Bell Aircraft.

In 1948, Johnston moved on to another test pilot position at The Boeing Company. He participated in test flights for the XB-47 Stratojet; YB- and XB-52 Stratofortress; and the 367-80, in which he famously executed a barrel roll during the plane’s public debut at the 1955 Seafair hydroplane race.

In 1935 Johnston married DeLores Honea. Johnston died in 1998 in Mount Vernon, Washington.

Sources:

  • "Johnston, Alvin "Tex" (1914-1998)." by John Caldbick, May 6, 2020. History Link.https://www.historylink.org/File/21030.
  • "Alvin M. Johnston". Wikipedia, March 4, 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_M._Johnston.

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

Biographical Information Files - J

 Sub-Group
Scope and Contents Individuals whose names begin with J: Jabs, Hans-Joachim [German World War II ace pilot] "Hans-Joachim Jabs: German 'Zerstorer' Ace of the Second World War," Air Progress, October 1966 Jackson, Henry M. [U.S. Senator] Folder 1: "Sen. Jackson Warns on Detente Pitfalls," Aviation Week, October 8, 1973"A...
Dates: 20th Century
Found in: The Museum of Flight Archives / The Museum of Flight Biographical Information Files

John Fornasero Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 2011-06-24
Abstract:

The John Fornasero Papers are comprised of documents, photographs, newspaper clippings, and ephemera pertaining to the life and work of flight instructor, aviation inspector, and test pilot John B. Fornasero. A significant portion of this collection is made up of photographs. Major topics include the Ryan School of Aeronautics, the Civil Aeronautics Administration, Fairchild Aircraft Company, and Boeing Aircraft Company.

Dates: 1904-2006
Found in: The Museum of Flight Archives

Karl Martinez Dash-80 Barrel Roll Film

 Collection — Box Film Box 1, Reel: 1
Identifier: 1993-05-29
Contents of the Collection The Karl Martinez Dash-80 Film consists of one home movie-style film of Boeing Company test pilot Alvin “Tex” Johnston performing a barrel roll of the Boeing 367-80, a prototype of the Boeing 707, over the 1955 Seafair Gold Cup Hydroplane races.The footage begins with scenes of hydroplanes and boats on Lake Washington, spectators on boats, and a U.S. Navy airship with the text "Join the U.S. Naval Air Reserve / Be a Naval Aviation Cadet" on its gasbag. The barrel roll footage...
Dates: 1955 August 6
Found in: The Museum of Flight Archives

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