Series III. Aeronautical Research Files, 1916-1997

Series

The Aeronautical Research Files is the largest of all the series in the Stine Collection, consisting of about 31 cubic feet of material. Nine subseries make up this grouping: Subseries A. Aircraft, 1916-1987; Subseries B. Facilities, 1953-1997; Subseries C. International Programs, 1920-1993; Subseries D. Rockets and Missiles, 1924-1996; Subseries E. Satellites, 1957-1995; Subseries F. Spacecraft and Missions, 1946-1986; Subseries G. Space Vehicles, 1960-1993; Subseries H. Space – General, 1943-1996; and Subseries I. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1965-1982.

A wide variety of materials make up this series, including correspondence, articles, brochures, news releases, charts, booklets, press kits, technical briefs, facility maps, photographs, brochures, fact-sheets, philatelic ephemera, postcards, articles, and clippings. The Rockets and Missiles subseries includes the material cited above but is predominately comprised of illustrations (copies and hand-drawn), blueprints, lithographs, negative proofs, hand-written notes, and test results. Also included in this subseries are model rocket designs that illustrate the model versions inspired by prominent rockets. Note that additional photographic and audiovisual documentation related to this series can be found in Series V. Visual and Audiovisual Materials.

These records are Stine’s research files, which he began actively collecting material related to aeronautical studies beginning in the early 1950s with his first position at White Sands Proving Ground. His main interest was in rocket science but materials on various other sub-fields within aeronautics are also present. He used the material to guide his model rocket designs, assist with his work a space history consultant, as well as his writings, both non-fiction and science fiction. Most of the material in this series is organized alphabetically, except for the Spacecraft and Missions files. These folders have been arranged chronologically by space mission to show the development of the programs over time.

Dates

1916-1997

Language of Materials

Some materials are in Russian, French, and German. All other materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research and is accessible in the Dahlberg Research Center by appointment. Some of the audiovisual materials have not been reformatted and may not be used at this time. For more information contact us.

Extent

From the Collection: 85 Cubic Feet (126 letter size 4-inch document boxes (12 1/4" x 10 1/4" x 4), 10 letter size full-width document boxes (12 1/4" x 10 1/4" x 5), 5 legal size full-width document boxes (15 1/2" x 10 1/4" x 5), 1 legal size full-width document boxes (15 1/2" x 10 1/4" x 4) , 1 letter size half-width document box, 6 record cartons, 4 oversize boxes (16 1/2" x 20 1/2" x 3"), 3 oversize boxes (20 1/2" x 24 1/2" x 3), 6 oversize rolled storage boxes, 60 oversize folders (35 3/4" x 47 3/4"))

Additional Description

Arrangement

The largest series is the Aeronautical Research Files (boxes 45-100, 108, 128-139, 149-151, 158-159, 162, and oversize folders 14-56, 59). The subjects within this series have been organized alphabetically except for Space – General subseries and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration subseries which were placed at the end of the series because of the more general and assorted subject matter within them. Most files in the subseries have also been arranged alphabetically. The Spacecrafts and Missions subseries has been arranged chronolgically to illustrate the development of the space programs. The records in this series are housed in both document boxes as well as in oversized storage.