Henry S. McMurray Logbooks and Military Records

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 2011-07-28

The Henry S. McMurray Logbooks and Military Records contains logbooks, military records, and an autobiographical DVD that document the career of pilot Henry S. McMurray from 1937-2011. The materials cover McMurray's training as an Aviation Cadet, his service in Europe with the Eighth Air Force during World War II, and his careers as a commercial pilot with United Airlines and as a production test pilot with Boeing.

The bulk of the collection is comprised of nine logbooks dating from 1937-2003. The logbooks contain details such as date of flight, type of aircraft, license number, type of engine, flight departure and destination points, length of flight, and remarks or notes, such as "Test with inspector - passed" or "Solo." Two of the logs are titled "Boeing Test Production" and are specific to McMurray's time at Boeing as a test pilot, 1959-1982. These logbooks seem to overlap somewhat with his personal logbooks for that time. There is also a United Airlines Flight Voucher log, 1946-1948, used for tracking pilot expenses and pay, as well as a certificate of appreciation from the FAA.

Also included in the collection are a few military documents related to McMurray's service with the U.S. Army Air Forces. The documents include promotions, special orders, training materials and certifications, and McMurray's separation qualification record (1946). A certificate for the French Order National de la Légion d'Honneur signed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy from 2011 is also present and complements the medal stored in the objects collection.

Lastly, the collection holds one DVD, "When did it all start? A documentary of a life in flight," created by Sandy McMurray. The DVD is marked "copy" and was likely created circa 2005.

Dates

1940s-2011

Creator

McMurray, Henry S., 1921-2021 (Former owner, Person)

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

0.65 Cubic Feet (1 full width legal size document box and 1 oversize box)

Additional Description

Biographical Note: Henry "Sandy" McMurray

Henry S. "Sandy" McMurray was born July 14, 1921 in Hayward, California. After attending San Jose State College for 2 years, McMurray joined the Army Air Force and served from November 7, 1941 to January 6, 1946. During the war he achieved the rank of Major. After the World War II, McMurray became a full time pilot.

McMurrary flew for United Airlines for two and half years, but most of his career was spent at Boeing. There he worked as a Chief Production Test Pilot for commercial aircraft. During his tenure, he flew many Boeing aircraft, including the B-50, 377, KB-29, KC-97, B-47, B-52, KC-135, 707, 720, 727, 737, and the 747.

McMurray retired from flying in March 2004. Henry "Sandy" McMurray died in 2021 at 99 years of age.

Source:

Biography derived from collection materials and donor information.