The Swoose: Odyssey of a B-17 Collection consists of materials collected during research by Herbert Brownstein, the author.
Scope and Content:
This collection consists of materials collected by author Herbert Brownstein during his research for the book The Swoose: Odyssey of a B-17. Fifty-four of the images collected were used in the book. These images feature the aircraft, its crew, its insignia, air fields where it was stationed and maps of the flights of The Swoose. Mr. Brownstein collected approximately six hundred additional photographs from former crew members and other sources which were not used in the book. Included among these are images of air bases including Milne Bay, New Guinea; Marreba, Australia; Clark Field, Philippine Islands; Port Moresby, New Guinea; Del Monte, Philippine Islands; Randolph, Texas; Wheeler, Hawaii; Brooks, Texas; and Kelly, Texas. Aircraft featured include the Bell P-39, Douglas C-47, Boeing B-17B, Boeing B-17G, North American B-25B, Curtiss P-40, North American N4J Pensacola Trainer, and Boeing B-17 Suzy-Q. Aviation field maps include those for Northeast Australia, Malaya, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and the Philippine Islands. Individuals represented include Henry Godman, Weldon S. Smith, Lyndon B. Johnson, Frank Kurtz, Sir Charles Burnett, Brigadier General George Acheson and several group shots of crew. There are also histories of the 14th and 19th Bombardment Groups, operations, battle honor lists, damage reports, debriefing reports, and crew lists as well as periodical articles about the aircraft and its crew.
Arrangement:
The collection has been organized into three series:
SERIES 1: Photographs Used in The Swoose: Odyssey of a B-17
SERIES 2: Photographs Collected but not Used in The Swoose: Odyssey of a B-17
SERIES 3: Official Government Documents, Periodical Articles, Miscellaneous Material
Biographical/Historical note:
The Swoose was the name given to Boeing B-17D Flying Fortress serial number 40-3097 by Weldon H. Smith, one of its crew members. The aircraft flew four historic trans-Pacific flights: California to Hawaii, May 13-14, 1941; Sydney, Australia to Hawaii and back, May 17-30, 1942; and Brisbane to Washington, DC, August 4-12, 1942. It was stationed in the Pacific theater during the first two years of World War II (1941-1943) and was assigned to both the 14th and 19th Bombardment Groups. In the Pacific, The Swoose carried out bombing and transport operations in the Philippines, Java, and Australia. In 1943, the aircraft was stationed in Panama. The aircraft remained in service until 1953, when it was transferred to the National Air and Space Museum. In 2008, The Swoose was transferred to the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
Provenance:
Herb Brownstein, gift, 1994, 1996, 2000, 1994-0024
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
William Jones World War II Scrapbook, NASM.2006.0067, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
National Air and Space Museum. Archives Division. Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
The majority of the Archives Department's public reference requests can be answered using material in these files, which may be accessed through the Reading Room at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. More specific information can be requested by contacting the Archives Research Request.
National Air and Space Museum. Archives Division. Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
The majority of the Archives Department's public reference requests can be answered using material in these files, which may be accessed through the Reading Room at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. More specific information can be requested by contacting the Archives Research Request.
National Air and Space Museum. Archives Division. Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
The majority of the Archives Department's public reference requests can be answered using material in these files, which may be accessed through the Reading Room at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. More specific information can be requested by contacting the Archives Research Request.
Boeing B-17D Flying Fortress "Swoose," NASM [Documents]
Collection Creator:
National Air and Space Museum. Archives Division. Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Restrictions:
The majority of the Archives Department's public reference requests can be answered using material in these files, which may be accessed through the Reading Room at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. More specific information can be requested by contacting the Archives Research Request.
Captain Edward V. "Eddie" Rickenbacker was a self-taught automotive engineer, an American fighter ace in World War I, and Medal of Honor recipient. He was also a race car driver, a government military consultant during World War II, and a pioneer in air transportation, particularly as the longtime head of Eastern Air Lines. This accession consists of two letters from Rickenbacker to C. G. [Chris] Sinsabaugh, then editor of Automotive News, written during Rickenbacker's service in World War I.
Scope and Contents:
This accession consists of two letters from Edward Vernon "Eddie" Rickenbacker to C. G. [Chris] Sinsabaugh, then editor of Automotive News. In the first letter, dated November 10, 1917, Rickenbacker tells his friend "Sincy" of his life as a new soldier, of his interest in aviation, and of becoming a pilot. The envelope is included with this letter. The second letter, undated, is written on a German post card form that Rickenbacker notes he picked up on the battle field at Marne. In this correspondence, Rickenbacker comments on his hospital confinement and on those race car drivers who have not enlisted.
Arrangement:
Collection is in chronological order.
Biographical / Historical:
Edward Vernon "Eddie" Rickenbacker (1890--1973) had only a sixth grade education but became a leading aviation figure in both military and civilian circles. He was a a self-taught automotive engineer and race car driver who became a fighter ace during World War I, where as a member of the 94th Aero Squadron he shot down 22 German aircraft and 4 observation balloons. He became a colonel in the Army Air Reserves and during World War II helped form the Military Air Transport Services. In October of 1942, during an inspection tour of the Pacific theater, Rickenbacker's Boeing B-17D Flying Fortress went off course and was ditched over water. The surviving seven members of the crew were rescued 24 days later, suffering from exposure, starvation, and dehydration. In the civilian sector, Rickenbacker worked at several airlines, including Fokker Aircraft Corporation and American Airways, before going to work at Eastern Air Lines in 1934. In 1939 Rickenbacker became Eastern's president and chairman, positions he held until 1963.
Provenance:
Eleanor Whalen, Gift, 1987, NASM.1988.0003
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Edward V. "Eddie" Rickenbacker (1890--1973) was a self-taught automotive engineer, an American fighter ace in World War I, and Medal of Honor recipient. He was also a race car driver, a government military consultant during World War II, and a pioneer in air transportation, particularly as the longtime head of Eastern Air Lines. This collection consists of a letter from Rickenbacker to James Quackenbush regarding future opportunities in the field of aviation.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of a letter, dated February 21, 1938 and written on Eastern Air Lines stationery, from Edward V, "Eddie" Rickenbacker to James Quackenbush. Quackenbush was conducting research for a ninth-grade term paper and wrote Rickenbacker regarding future opportunities in the field of aviation. This letter is Rickenbacker's reply to Quackenbush's letter.
Arrangement:
Collection is a single item.
Biographical / Historical:
Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (1890--1973) had only a sixth grade education but became a leading aviation figure in both military and civilian circles. Rickenbacker was a fighter ace during World War I, where as a member of the 94th Aero Squadron he shot down 22 German aircraft and 4 observation balloons. He became a colonel in the Army Air Reserves and during World War II helped form the Military Air Transport Services. In October of 1942, during an inspection tour of the Pacific theater, Rickenbacker's Boeing B-17D Flying Fortress went off course and was ditched over water. The surviving seven members of the crew were rescued 24 days later, suffering from exposure, starvation, and dehydration. In the civilian sector, Rickenbacker worked at several airlines, including Fokker Aircraft Corporation and American Airways, before going to work at Eastern Air Lines in 1934. In 1939 Rickenbacker became Eastern's president and chairman, positions he held until 1963.
Provenance:
James H. Quackenbush, Gift, 1998, NASM.1998.0037
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Edward V. "Eddie" Rickenbacker (1890--1973) was a self-taught automotive engineer, an American fighter ace in World War I, and Medal of Honor recipient. He was also a race car driver, a government military consultant during World War II, and a pioneer in air transportation, particularly as the longtime head of Eastern Air Lines. This collection consists of a souvenir program for a celebration and reception held from June 21--23, 1919 in Los Angeles, California in honor of Rickenbacker's homecoming after two years of overseas service in World War I.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of a souvenir program for a celebration and reception held from June 21--23, 1919 in Los Angeles, California in honor of Edward V. "Eddie" Rickenbacker's homecoming after two years of overseas service in World War I. The event included a parade, barbecue, and formal program at Shrine Auditorium. The program is signed by Rickenbacker with the inscription "To My Little Friend." The program is also signed by film actor Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle. The program is in a folder which has a small black and white photograph of pilot Parker Wagner seated in an aircraft cockpit adhered to it.
Arrangement:
Collection is in original order.
Biographical / Historical:
Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (1890--1973) had only a sixth grade education but became a leading aviation figure in both military and civilian circles. Rickenbacker was a fighter ace during World War I, where as a member of the 94th Aero Squadron he shot down 22 German aircraft and 4 observation balloons. He became a colonel in the Army Air Reserves and during World War II helped form the Military Air Transport Services. In October of 1942, during an inspection tour of the Pacific theater, Rickenbacker's Boeing B-17D Flying Fortress went off course and was ditched over water. The surviving seven members of the crew were rescued 24 days later, suffering from exposure, starvation, and dehydration. In the civilian sector, Rickenbacker worked at several airlines, including Fokker Aircraft Corporation and American Airways, before going to work at Eastern Air Lines in 1934. In 1939 Rickenbacker became Eastern's president and chairman, positions he held until 1963.
Provenance:
Mrs. Harold James, Gift, 1973, NASM.XXXX.0877
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
This collection consists of eight 120 mm negatives that feature Edward V. "Eddie" Rickenbacker on the final leg of his South Pacific inspection tour of 1942, resumed only days after his rescue at sea after a previous transport plane, a Boeing B-17D Flying Fortress, s/n 40-3089, went down in the Pacific. Also pictured are Major Charles E. Shelton and Major "Chick" Luna.
Biographical / Historical:
Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (1890-1973) had only a sixth grade education but became a leading aviation figure in both military and civilian circles. Rickenbacker was a fighter ace during World War I, where as a member of the 94th Aero Squadron he shot down 22 German aircraft and 4 observation balloons. He became a colonel in the Army Air Reserves and during World War II helped form the Military Air Transport Services. In October of 1942, during an inspection tour of the Pacific theater, Rickenbacker's Boeing B-17D Flying Fortress went off course and was ditched over water. The surviving seven members of the crew were rescued 24 days later, suffering from exposure, starvation, and dehydration. In the civilian sector, Rickenbacker worked at several airlines, including Fokker Aircraft Corporation and American Airways, before going to work at Eastern Airlines in 1934. In 1939 Rickenbacker became Eastern's president and chairman, positions he held until 1963.
Provenance:
Charles E. Shelton, Gift
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
This collection consists of approximately 869 negatives, 343 transparencies and 539 photographic prints of aircraft and cockpit shots. These images are divided into the forty-three groups, which include the following aircraft: Boeing B-17 'Swoose,' B-29 'Enola Gay,' B-36, KC-97L; Cessna Citation; Convair T-29; Curtiss A-4E; Douglas C-124; Falcon 50; Fokker F-27; Grumman E-2 Tracer and HU-16 Albatros; Jetstar Cabin; Junkers JU-52 and JU-388; Kaman 16-B; Learjet 25, 35, 36, and 802; Lockheed C-130; North American F-100 Simulator; Piper J-3 Cub; Providence Airline Corp CV-240; and Sabre 40. There is also a folder of correspondence between Webb and individuals / repositories regarding aircraft photography.
Biographical / Historical:
Michael Webb (1951-1986) was first an architectural photographer, but from 1977 until his death became focused exclusively on aviation photography.
General:
NASMrev
Provenance:
Mary Urbahn Lanman, Gift, 1994, 1994-0052, NASM
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests