An FH110 helicopter practices landing on a temporary helipad on January 19, 1971, at So. 19th & "J" Sts. The pad is marked with an enormous "H." St. Joseph's Medical Evaluation personnel may have been testing the feasibility of this temporary site. The church in the background is believed to be St. John Baptist Church. Photograph ordered by St. Joseph Hospital.

Helicopters--Tacoma--1970-1980;

The St. Joseph Medical Evaluation team prepares to board the waiting FH110 helicopter on January 19, 1971. A temporary helipad, marked with an enormous "H," has been laid on muddy ground. A white ambulance with hatch open is parked nearby. Photograph ordered by St. Joseph Hospital.

Helicopters--Tacoma--1970-1980; Ambulances--Tacoma--1970-1980;

The dirigible "Shenandoah," commissioned by the US Navy, paid a two day visit to Camp Lewis in October of 1924. A special 165 foot tall striped mooring mast was specially constructed for the visit. The giant dirigible, patterned after a German Zeppelin captured by the French in 1917, hovered silently in the air over gawking spectators and their automobiles. On September 3, 1925, a mere nine months later, the airship was caught in a thunderstorm and torn to pieces over Noble County, Ohio. Miraculously, 29 of its 43 crew members survived. The mast stood at Fort Lewis until 1936. (Richards copy negative)

Airships; Mooring masts; Camp Lewis (Wash.); Military camps--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Helicopter descending. Chauncey L. Griggs, president of Export Pacific, Inc., was expecting two log buyers, one from France, to visit him in early June, 1964. The smiling passenger aboard the helicopter descending on company property on June 3, 1964, was one of them. Mr. Griggs was a member of a well known pioneer family and had been associated with the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. Export Pacific were lumber exporters located at 900 Milwaukee Waterway. Photograph ordered by Export Pacific, Inc. TPL-9644

Helicopters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Export Pacific Co. (Tacoma); Guests--Tacoma--1960-1970; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Copy of customer print. A man appears to be studying plans on perhaps how to complete the body of the aircraft behind him. The fuselage is not finished although windows have been positioned. The plane appears to have been largely constructed of plywood. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Original print was imprinted 11-23-1955 with "SM 197293" also on print. Copy of print was made in March, 1958.

Airplane industry; Airplanes;

A Beachcraft T-34, owned by the McChord Flying Club, is being wheeled into a T-shaped hangar at the South Tacoma Airport on September 9, 1958. An unidentified man in a checkered shirt and cap is maneuvering the airplane by a wing while Frank Bly is pushing with his hands on the propeller. Another parked aircraft can be glimpsed in the adjacent hangar space. Mr. Bly would build a hangar at the South Tacoma Airport in the late '50s. He would use the hanger to restore and keep his 1931 Stinson W. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (Additional information provided by readers)

Airplanes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hangars--Tacoma; Bly, Frank; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

ca. 1950. Copy of customer print. Six Air Force personnel, three of them pilots, pose in front of three jets in an undated photograph. The pilots are equipped with parachutes and holding helmets. These men are probably assigned to the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. The actual date of the original print is unknown; a print was made on March 25, 1957. Photograph ordered by Munson-Smith Motors.

Airplanes; Military air pilots;

ca. 1950. Copy of customer print. Two airmen, backs to the camera, grip the wing of an Air Force jet in an undated photograph. The plane is a F-102A fighter intercepter. Each serviceman is wearing a flight jacket with a "318th F15" label on the back, along with the same Mach Wave emblem shown on the tail of the plane. The logo consisted of two overlapped chevrons, suggesting space age theme. These men may have been assigned to the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at McChord Air Force Base. The photograph was possibly part of a set produced by the Public Relations Office when the 318th was upgrading their aircraft from the F-94c two seat fighters to the pictured version. The F-102A fighters were later assigned to the 57th Fighter Group 64th FIS, Paine Field. They were assigned to the Philippine Islands for support during the Vietnam War. Photograph ordered by Munson-Smith Motors. Copy of print was made on March 25, 1957. (information on the fighter and emblem supplied by patron)

Airplanes; Military air pilots;

Copies of a customer's prints, ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Actual date of photographs is unknown. A man works on the engine housing of the plane, attaching plywood to its curved surface.

Plywood; Airplanes; Airplane industry;

Copies of a customer's prints, ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Actual date of photographs is unknown. Two men can be seen through the doorway to the right of what will be the cockpit of the new plane. The plane is being built of plywood and the workers mark a sheet of it to the needed dimensions.

Plywood; Airplanes; Airplane industry;

Copies of a customer's prints, ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Actual date of photographs is unknown. A man works inside the incomplete fuselage of the plane, riveting around the cabin window.

Plywood; Airplanes; Airplane industry;

Copies of a customer's prints, ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Actual date of photographs is unknown. A plane is being constructed largely of plywood. A man operates a table saw, cutting the plywood to the correct shape for cabin windows. The unfinished plane body can be seen in the background.

Plywood; Airplanes; Airplane industry;

Copies of a customer's prints, ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Actual date of photographs is unknown. Two men observe a wooden structure that might be the housing for the landing gear on the all wood plane.

Plywood; Airplanes; Airplane industry;

On July 28, 1948, this unidentified man, possibly the Bart's Drive-In airplane pilot, had landed his small plane on an ocean beach. It appears that he had made a quick stop for razor clams as his shovels and metal cans seem to indicate. Publicity photo ordered by O'Connell-Ragan advertising agency. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Airplanes--Tacoma; Air pilots--Tacoma; Bart's Drive-In (Tacoma); Advertising--Tacoma; Advertising agencies--Tacoma; O'Connell-Ragan Co. (Tacoma); Publicity photographs;

Tri-motored Stinson airplane crashed at Tacoma Air Field. Nightime scene. The sight-seeing flight over Puget Sound ended with four killed and seven critically injured. One wing is intact with "Fly 50" inscribed. (T. Times, 10/25/1937, p.5).

Accidents - Aircraft Accidents - Airplane Accidents Transportation - Aircraft - Airplanes - Stinson Airplanes

Tri-motored Stinson airplane crash at Tacoma Air Field. State Patrol Sgt. Lou Geer, patrolman Mike Wayno, Deputy Sheriff Lyle Lathrop and patrolman Cliff Tolson examine the tangled wreckage that killer 4 and injured 7 sight-seers. (T.Times, 10/25/37).

Accidents - Aircraft Accidents - Airplane Accidents Transportation - Aircraft - Airplanes - Stinson Airplanes

Planning committee for the YMBC "Air Circus," to be held June 13, 1937. The group meets around a luncheon table. Pictured, left to right, are unidentified, M.J. M'Caslin, chairman aviation committee, unidentified, James P. Lesher, President YMBC, Arthur Angove, past president YMBC. The Air Circus would draw over 50,000 spectators to Mueller-Harkins Airfield to view a variety of events including races, stunt flying and a parachute jump by Seattle's "Batman." (filed with Argentum under D768-11; also numbered D779-3)

Air shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma);

Young Men's Business Club (YMBC) airshow at Mueller-Harkins airport June 13, 1937. 25 planes took part in the first annual air circus with nearly 50,000 spectators cheering them on. Various small biplanes fly over the crowd. (T. Times, TNT)

Air shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Airplanes--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma);

ca. 1937. Men from the Young Men's Business Club planning Air Circus scheduled for Sunday, June 13, 1937. It is a luncheon meeting and appears to be in a restaurant with blackboard in background listing last names and "Customers Only" sign. Announcement posters on wall. The three men seated in the center of the picture are, left to right, Al Oswald, YMBC aviation committee, Arthur Cook, secretary of the YMBC, and an unidentified man. (filed with Argentum)

Air shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma);

Nearly 50,000 spectators watched as Tommy Thompson, the "Bat Man", attempted to soar over Mueller-Harkins airport on June 13, 1937 at the first Tacoma Air Circus. When he stepped from the plane that had carried him aloft, a gust of wind tore the canvas webbing that supported his wings, and spinning like a top, he plunged toward the earth. Luckily he was wearing two parachutes. Although the first became tangled in his wings, the second brought him safely to land - although one of his wings was bent. The air circus was sponsored by the Young Men's Business Club of Tacoma. (T. Times, TNT)

Air shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Young Men's Business Club (YMBC) airshow at Mueller-Harkins airport June 13, 1937. 25 planes took part in the first annual air circus with nearly 50,000 spectators cheering them on. Tommy Thompson, the "Bat Man," waits beside an airplane with two men. His metal wings fold and have handles on the inside for manipulation. He is planning to jump out of the airplane and soar to the ground; a plan that was foiled by heavy winds that damaged his wings. He was saved by his second parachute. (T. Times, TNT).

Air shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Thompson, Tommy;

Young Men's Business Club (YMBC) airshow at Mueller-Harkins airport June 13, 1937. 25 planes took part in the first annual air circus with nearly 50,000 spectators cheering them on. A section of the crowd of 50,000 was photographed on the side of the airfield. Automobiles, airplanes and an ambulance were also parked along the side of the field. The show featured races, stunt flying and a jump by Seattle's own "Batman," Tommy Thompson. (T. Times, TNT)

Air shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Young Men's Business Club (YMBC) airshow at Mueller-Harkins airport June 13, 1937. 25 planes took part in the first annual air circus with nearly 50,000 spectators cheering them on. A photographer stands on the roof of the airport building above the reviewing stand. (T. Times, TNT.

Air shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Cropped version of D779-9, showing the uniform of Tommy Thompson, the "Bat Man", as he boards a plane June 13, 1937 at the first Tacoma Air Circus. He has metal wings and an outfit stitched into a sheet, to allow him to glide. He intends to jump out of this plane and glide to Earth. However, he narrowly avoided disaster when a gust of wind tore the canvas webbing that supported his wings as he stepped out of the plane in flight. He began to plunge to the ground. Luckily he was wearing two parachutes. Although the first became tangled in his wings, the second brought him safely to land - although one of his wings was bent. The air circus was sponsored by the Young Men's Business Club of Tacoma. (T. Times, TNT)

Air shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Thompson, Tommy;

Governors Review at Fort Lewis. Nine bi-planes flying in formation. These were from the 91st and 116th observation squadrons. They, along with the men of the 9th Corps. and the 5th Brigade, passed in review before Governors Charles D. Martin of Oregon, Clarence D. Martin of Washington and Roy E. Ayres of Montana and top military brass on August 21, 1937. Thousands of civilians journeyed to Fort Lewis to watch the military pageant. (T. Times 8-21-37, p. 1, 8-23-37, p. 1)

Biplanes; Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis;

On August 22, 1934, several men standing on the roof of the Jones Building (now known as the Pantages) craned their necks to watch the airship Macon fly over the downtown skyline. Thousands lined the streets and rooftops of buildings to watch the dirigible make a wide circle over the city around 8 a.m. Construction of the dirigible cost the US two and a half million dollars. Tacoma was also visited by airships Shenandoah in 1924 and Akron in 1932. The Macon was lost over the Pacific Ocean offshore of Point Sur Feb. 12, 1935. (T. Times 8/22/1934, pg. 1)

Airships--Tacoma; Jones Building (Tacoma); Historic buildings--Tacoma;

The ghostly USS Macon, a dirigible, flew over the Jones Building (now known as the Pantages) in downtown Tacoma on August 22, 1934. The eerie airship was almost disguised by the clouds. Thousands of spectators lined the streets and rooftops of buildings to watch the dirigible make a wide circle over the city around 8 a.m. The Daily Ledger called the airship "a great silver fish of the skies." The Macon was lost over the waters of the Pacific Ocean offshore from Point Sur on February 12, 1935. (T. Times 8/22/1934, pg. 1)

Airships--Tacoma; Jones Building (Tacoma); Historic buildings--Tacoma;

On March 10, 1938 the soldiers of Fort Lewis' 125 member 3rd Balloon Company, under the command of Major M. E. McHugo test flew the newest addition to their arsenal. The new blimp was 105 feet lomg and could attain a top speed of 40 miles per hour. It was considered to be a great advance over the blimps used during the First World War. (T.Times, 3/11/1938, p.1).

Balloons (Aircraft)--Fort Lewis; Balloonists; Air pilots--Fort Lewis; Military personnel--Fort Lewis; Fort Lewis (Wash.);

Fort Lewis's new 105 feet long blimp flies at forty miles per hour on its first flight since arriving at the army base on February 10. The new blimp serves as an observation balloon. (T.Times, 3/11/1938, p.1).

Balloons (Aircraft)--Fort Lewis; Balloonists; Air pilots--Fort Lewis; Military personnel--Fort Lewis; Fort Lewis (Wash.);

Fort Lewis ground crew holding lines to the new blimp on its first flight since arriving on February 10. The crew is part of the 125 member 3rd Balloon Company. (T.Times 3/11/1938, p.1).

Balloons (Aircraft)--Fort Lewis; Balloonists; Air pilots--Fort Lewis; Military personnel--Fort Lewis; Fort Lewis (Wash.);