Abstract

George Becvar (1909-1990) was born in Denver, Colorado and with his brothers Lou (1908-1984) and Chuck (1904-1986) started Kent Flying Service which ran from approximately 1927-1930 in Kent, Washington. The collection consists of the pilot logbook for George Becvar and a scrapbook that primarily covers George Becvar's 1927-1931 flying career.

Abstract

The collection consists of an album containing ten black-and-white photographs featuring early aviators and aircraft in Seattle, Washington.

Abstract

Ray (1894-1969) and Leonard (1888-1971) Grimshaw were brothers who served as mechanics during World War I. The collection contains correspondence, military documents, photographs, clippings, newspapers, a diary, and booklets primarily relating to the military service of Ray M. Grimshaw but also includes a small selection of correspondence from his brother, Leonard.

Contents of the Collection

The John A. Jones World War II Collection is a very small collection related to Jones' World War II service from 1942-1945. The collection is comprised of a training certificate from the Boeing Flying Fortress School; three digital reprints of 1940s-era photographs, two of which feature Jones; and photocopies of Jones' Honorable Discharge and military service record.

Contents of the Collection

The collection relates to the World War II experience of Dwayne W. McLeod, who served as a mechanic during the war. Materials include Boeing School of Aeronautics notes and training documents, a Flight Officer's checklist for the DC-3, aviation decals, and an airmail envelope.

Content Description The Lyden H. Rien Boeing Flying Fortress School Collection consists of materials related to Rien's military service during World War II as a B-17 mechanic. The bulk of the collection consists of U.S. Army Air Corps Technical School training materials from the Boeing Flying Fortress School, part of the Boeing School of Aeronautics, from when Rien trained as a B-17 mechanic in 1942. The materials include a two-volume training manual that is interspersed with handwritten notes and...

Content Description

The Fred Thibodeaux Flying Fortress School Training Certificate is a small collection consisting of the certification of completion of technical aircraft training at the Boeing Flying Fortress School by Sgt. Fred Thibodeaux dated September 17, 1943. The certificate is accompanied by a grade report and an envelope with Thibodeaux's name inscribed in calligraphy.

Interview Summary Aviation mechanic James “Jim” Hawthorne Jackson is interviewed about his life and military service. Particular focus is given to Jackson’s time with the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, when he worked as a B-29 mechanic in the United States and Guam. Afterwards, Jackson discusses his involvement with The Museum of Flight’s Restoration Center and his work restoring various aircraft, including the Museum’s B-29 Superfortress and Lockheed YO-3A Quiet Star.Introduction and...

Interview Summary

Vietnam War veteran Thomas W. “Tom” Olsson is interviewed about his military service as a helicopter pilot with the United States Army. He discusses his combat tours in Southeast Asia flying the Bell AH-1 Cobra gunship and describes his later assignments as a flight instructor for the Cobra and the Hughes AH-64 Apache. He also touches on his post-military careers with Rockwell Collins and the Boeing Company and on his volunteer work at The Museum of Flight.

Interview Summary In this two-part oral history, Paul L. Weaver is interviewed about his decade-spanning career as an aircraft mechanic and pilot. In part one, he describes his military service with the U.S. Navy; his career with the Boeing Company during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s; and his involvement in the Pacific Northwest aviation scene. He also shares stories about other aviation enthusiasts and the early days of the Pacific Northwest Aviation Historical Foundation (PNAHF), the predecessor of The...