Photography in this collection was collected by Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM) Air Transport Curator R. E. G. (Ron) Davies from a variety of unidentified sources, presumably for integration into his airline reference files. It includes a mixture of black and white and color formats from 35 mm roll film to 4.75 x 6 inch sheet film. Aircraft pictured are predominantly airliners in use in the post-World War II period, circa 1947-1965, and include views of British, European, and American airliners at airports in the United Kingdom, and passenger and cargo aircraft belonging to various Central and South American airlines photographed at Miami International Airport (Florida, USA).
Scope and Contents:
Original and copy photography in this collection includes a mixture of color positives (transparencies), color negatives, and black and white negatives predominantly in 35mm roll film format, either as cut strips or as individual frames (no complete rolls). The collection also includes some medium format sheet film in 4.75 x 6 inch, 4 x 5 inch, and 120 format sizes. A small amount of film was found in annotated enclosures, but the bulk of the material was unidentified.
A large number of the photographs in this collection appear to have been taken of British, European, and American airliners on the ground at international airports in Britain (UK), with a few views of Royal Air Force or British government aircraft. An equally large number of photographs show passenger and cargo aircraft belonging to various Central and South American airlines; these are predominantly seen on the ground at Miami, Florida (USA), although some were likely taken at other locations in the Caribbean area. Views taken in Florida also include various American airliners and a few US civil, military, and government aircraft. Views taken in Central America include a few photographs of military cargo aircraft belonging to the Colombian (Fuerza Aérea Colombiana) and Salvadoran (Fuerza Aérea Salvadoreña) air forces. Aircraft types pictured include a large number of World War II military cargo aircraft modified for civilian service, particularly the Curtiss C-46 Commando and—to a lesser extent—the Douglas C-47 (DC-3) Skytrain (Dakota) and Douglas C-54 (DC-4) Skymaster. Other post-WWII American airliners such as the Lockheed Constellation family, various Douglas models (DC-6, DC-7, DC-8, DC-10) and the Martin (Glenn L.) Model 404 (4-O-4) are also seen, as well as various British airliners including the Bristol 175 Britannia, Handley Page Hermes and Dart Herald H.P.R.7, Britten Norman BN-2A-III Trislander, and Vickers Viking and Viscount. A small group of photographs focuses on flying boats used by various small airlines, particularly the Short S.25 Sunderland and S.45A Solent models.
Arrangement:
Photography is organized by format. Images found together have been grouped in the same folder or sheet. Cut strips or individual frames which appear to be from the same roll of 35mm film are presented in frame number order.
Biographical / Historical:
The post-World War II period saw an explosion in the number of new national and international airlines, many making use of readily available surplus military aircraft such as the Douglas C-47 and Curtiss C-46 modified to serve as passenger and cargo aircraft in regularly scheduled and charter operations. This period also saw the introduction of four-engine pressurized airliners such as the Lockheed Constellation and Douglas DC-6, providing airline passengers with a faster, more comfortable air travel experience.
Photography in this collection was collected by Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM) Air Transport Curator R. E. G. (Ron) Davies from a variety of unidentified sources, presumably for integration into his airline reference files. This material was transferred to the NASM Archives from the NASM Aeronautics Department following Davies' retirement.
Related Materials:
See related collection R. E. G. (Ron) Davies Air Transport Collection, NASM.XXXX.0604.
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.
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.
National Air and Space Museum. Archives Division. Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Scope and Contents:
Three black and white photographs, approximately 11 x 14 inches, Douglas Aircraft, C-47, C-54, A-20
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.
United States. Army Air Forces. 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Search this
Extent:
0.05 Cubic feet (1 folder)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photographs
Date:
November 1944 - December 1945
Summary:
This consists of twenty-six color photographs taken between November 1944 and December 1945 by Frederick J. Poats in India at Panagar Air Base, and in China at Chengkung, Hangchow, Laohwangping, Luichow, Shanghai, and Suichwan.
Scope and Contents:
This group of 26 color photographs were taken by Frederick J. Poats. Aircraft and a few personnel (Poats, Lt. Leroy Price, and some Chinese) are seen in India at Panagar Air Base, and in China at Chengkung, Hangchow, Laohwangping, Luichow, Shanghai, and Suichwan. Two photos show Lockheed P-38 Lightnings of the 449th Fighter Squadron (449FS). Two photos show Poats' North American P-51D Mustang "Lady Marion" (named for his girlfriend, who became his wife after the war). One photo shows a Consolidated F-7A (s/n 42-64102) of the 24th Combat Mapping Squadron. Other aircraft types depicted include: Lockheed F-5E Lightning, Douglas C-54 Skymaster, captured Japanese "Ida" (Tachikawa Ki-36) in Nationalist China markings, Curtiss C-46 Commando, Douglas C-47 Skytrain, and Republic P-47 (F-47) Thunderbolt.
Arrangement:
No arrangement.
Biographical / Historical:
Frederick J. Poats joined the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (118 TRS), 23rd Fighter Group (23 FG), in November 1944. He was stationed in Luliang, China, and assigned to temporary duty assignments with the 26th Fighter Squadron (26 FS) based in Chengkung until the 118 TRS had established themselves at a base in Suichwan, China. Poats was stationed with the 118 TRS from that point on. From World War II's end through mid-December 1945 Poats was involved with ferrying aircraft and materiel for the Chinese government as part of the "Diffenbaugh Project."
Provenance:
Frederick J. Poats, gift, circa 1984, NASM.XXXX.0595
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
John A. Meyer was an aerial photographer in the US Army Air Forces. He was stationed in Bangor, Maine and the North Atlantic Air Bases in Newfoundland, 1942-1943.
Biographical / Historical:
This collection consists of three films and corresponding videotape of footage shot by the donor at Bangor Maine and North Atlantic Air Bases in Newfoundland. The films include footage of base life, USO Shows, and the following aircraft: Douglas A-20, Boeing B-17, Douglas B-18, Consolidated B-24, Douglas C-54, Noorduyn C-64, Piper L-4, and Bell P-39. Most of the flying and aircraft scenes are in color, while the footage of the USO Show and troops at play are in black and white.
General:
NASMrev
Provenance:
John A. Meyer, Gift, unknown, 1991-0030, 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
Ramon D. Fobes collected a few items during his travels circa 1946-1954 while on active duty with the US Army. This collection contains six 35mm color slides of military aircraft at US bases in Puerto Rico, the Pacific, and Korea, and two items of ephemera Fobes probably picked up on his 1947 trip to Japan: a menu and a Naval Air Transport pamphlet.
Scope and Contents:
This small collection contains six 35mm color slides of military aircraft at US bases in Puerto Rico, the Pacific, and Korea, and two items of ephemera Fobes probably picked up on his 1947 trip to Japan: a menu from the Army Air Forces Air Transport Command (Pacific Division) Terminal Restaurant at Hickham Field, Oahu, Hawaii; and a pamphlet issued by US Navy Naval Air Transport Squadron 3 (VR-3) providing information to passengers travelling aboard their "Nonstop Hot Shot" coast-to-coast transport service flights between Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, California.
Biographical / Historical:
Ramon D. Fobes enrolled in the Vermont National Guard while attending college in Burlington, and was commissioned in June 1925. Fobes retained his inactive military status, so when he was called up for World War II he entered active duty with the US Army as a first lieutenant. By 1944, he had been promoted to rank of Captain, and was assigned to Antiaircraft Artillery; he spent the whole of the war in the continental United States. After the war he made at least two trips to Japan (in 1946 and 1947), passing through Hickham Field, Hawaii, en route. From March 2 through May 23, 1951, Fobes (now a Major) was assigned to temporary duty with the 63rd Antiaircraft Artillery Missile Battalion, and was at Fort Clayton (Panama Canal Zone) and Camp Tortuguero (Puerto Rico). In late 1953 to 1954, Fobes was stationed with the 739th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, 10th AAA Group, near Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Provenance:
Ramon D. Fobes, Gift, 2017, NASM.2017.0027.
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
