The John R. Hiltenbrand Military Aviation Collection holds textual, visual, and audiovisual materials from the United States Air Force career of John Robert "Bob" Hiltenbrand from World War II through the 1960s.

The bulk and strength of the collection is textual materials related to Hiltenbrand's World War II-era flight training. Included are 1941-1943 flight logs as well as a number of instructional and training materials. The documents, with accompanying notes taken by Hiltenbrand, cover a large amount of topics, including operations, such as how an operations office is set up and what equipment it would have; flight planning; rules and regulations; radio ranges; beam bracketing; and weather, including a focus on Alaskan flying. There are also a small number of hand-colored diagrams for various systems, including an "aero equipment twin engine," "oil system," and "wing flap hydraulic system," among others. Additional materials include a circa 1941-1945 letter from "Bobbie" to his parents which mentions materials he sent home to have kept for him (not present), airman's certificates, certificates of completion for the Army Air Forces Pilot School and School for Government of Occupied Areas, and a clipping about the WAC (Women's Army Corps). Also present are three black-and-white 8x10-inch photographs: a portrait of Hiltenbrand in his uniform; a group shot of eight soldiers, including Hiltenbrand, in front of an obscured aircraft; and a photograph of soldiers in parade formation, possibly during graduation. Additionally, there is a 16mm film labeled "B-14/B-15 Moonshine Squadron, Positive Silent."

Less well-represented is Hiltenbrand's post-World War II service. Materials include a 1950 certificate for Hiltenbrand's promotion to Captain, his 1969 certificate and citation for the award of Joint Service Commendation Medal, a black-and-white photograph of Hiltenbrand receiving the award from Admiral Jackson, his certifcate of retirement, and a photocopy of his 1969 discharge papers.

In addition to the materials related to Hiltenbrand's career, there are a few items from his retirement, including an undated black-and-white photograph of Hiltenbrand at the National Air and Space Museum, likely during his volunteer service, and six color slides depicting a 1989 visit to the Museum of Flight by Hiltenbrand to view a Fairchild PT-19, which was what he flew during flight training in the 1940s.