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Archives at The Museum of Flight


James H. Taylor, Jr. Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 2015-00-00-1
The James H. Taylor, Jr. Collection relates to the United States (U.S.) Army Air Forces (AAF), 498th Bombardment Group and its missions during World War II, likely collected by Taylor. The collection contains maps, military records, a total of ninety-one (91) black-and-white photographs and four (4) negatives, and a small amount of ephemera.

The bulk of the collection is comprised of several folders of materials related to various missions flown by the 498th Bombardment Group during World War II. Materials include military records, flight logs, sequential radar photographs taken during missions, and forty-three (43) maps and charts, many of which are annotated with targets. Locations include Guam, Korea, Caroline Islands, New York (State), and assorted locations in Japan. Please note that many of the textual elements are photocopied documents, although original documents are present.

Additionally, there are sixty-six (66) black-and-white photographs and four (4) negatives of Boeing B-29 Superfortress' in flight and on the ground, and several images depict the various nicknames of several planes, including "Sleepy Time Gal," "Shoot You're Faded!," "Witchita Witch,", and "Forbidden Fruit." Some military personnel, likely various members of the 498th Bombardment Group, are also featured in small amount of snapshots, although there are no captions to provide identification.

Also included in this collection are two pieces of ephemera; an undated typed 49-page manuscript [possibly for a book chapter?] about the history of the Boeing B-29 (serial number 44-69729), also known as T-Square 54. There is also a June 2000 newsletter, "Pterogram" from the Ancient Order of the Pterodactyl (U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Association) addressed to Jay Taylor.

At the end of the collection is 21-page presentation, Boeing B029's Superfortress: The Ultimate Expression of Air Power prepared and presented on September 24, 2013 by John Little, Assistant Curator, The Museum of Flight. This presentation was not part of the original donation but has been kept with this collection as the materials were used researching the presentation.

Dates

  • 1943-2013
  • Majority of material found within 1943 - 1945

Creator

Language of Materials

All materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research and is accessible in the Dahlberg Research Center by appointment. For more information contact us.

Conditions Governing Use

The Museum of Flight (TMOF) Archives is the owner of the physical materials in the archives and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from TMOF archives before any publication use. TMOF does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.

Extent

1.5 Cubic Feet (1 large flat box and 1 full-width legal size document box)

Abstract

Archival materials relating to the missions of the United States Army Air Forces 498th Bombardment Group in 1944-45. The Museum of Flight's Boeing B-29 Superfortress was of this group and material in this collection reflect the activities of the aircraft during that time period. Many of the charts are annotated for specific missions and some contain identified targets.

Biographical Note: James H. Taylor, Jr.

James H. Taylor, Jr. was a member of the United States Army Air Forces, 498th Bombardment Group during World War II.

No further information is known.

Source:

Biography derived from collection materials.

Note on Arrangement

The collection appears to have been sorted by Taylor's son, Jay Taylor, as materials have been grouped by "package" and "item" number and missions and related materials, such as military records and photographs, seem to be together. Original order has been retained. Please note that a few folders include original inventories with item listings attached the front of the folder or as the first item in the folder with some notes from original processor.

Custodial History

This collection was found in the file cabinets near the desk of Tom Dawson, former B-29 project manager of the B-29 restoration at The Museum of Flight, after he passed away. It was likely donated by James H. Taylor's son, Jay E. Taylor.

Accruals

No further accruals are expected.

Related Archival Materials at The Museum of Flight

The Boeing B-29 (serial number 44-69729), also known as T-Square 54, is currently on display at The Museum of Flight in the Aviation Pavilion. This aircraft is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
Title
Guide to the James H. Taylor, Jr. Collection
Status
Completed - Level 3
Author
L. Zaborowski, J. Parent
Date
2010
Description rules
dacs
Language of description
English
Edition statement
3rd Edition

Revision Statements

  • 2015; 2018: Edited to reflect re-processing of the collection and adhere to updated standards. This finding aid was revised to reflect updated DACS and Museum of Flight standards.
  • November 2018: Finding aid migrated to ArchivesSpace.

Repository Details

Part of the The Museum of Flight Archives Repository

Contact:
9404 East Marginal Way South
Seattle Washington 98108-4097
206-764-7874


The Museum of Flight | 9404 E. Marginal Way South | Seattle WA 98108-4097 | 206-764-5874
Contact us with a research request
curator@museumofflight.org