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;

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;

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);

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;

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;

Four members of the 465th Fighter Interceptor Squadron stationed at McChord Air Force Base posed in front of a F-86D in December of 1953. The pilots are, left to right, Lts. Thomas E. Randall, Franklin B. Brigham, Sam Huser and Edwin Liddell. In 1953 the F-86D Sabre was the fastest regulation military aircraft in the world. In July of 1953 an F-86D piloted by Lieutenant Colonel William Barnes achieved 715.697 mph over a course at the Salton Sea in California. This particular photograph was selected for the News Tribune along with family pictures of other pilots from that squadron. Photograph ordered by the News Tribune. (TNT 12/13/1953, pg. E1)

Airplanes; Fighter planes--U.S. Air Force; Military air pilots--Air Force; Randall, Thomas E.; Brigham, Franklin B.; Huser, Sam; Liddell, Edwin;

US Air Force jet airplane. The pilot can be seen clearly in the cockpit. The jet was stationed at McChord Air Force Base. Ordered by the Tacoma News Tribune.

Airplanes; Fighter planes--U.S. Air Force--1950-1960;

This photograph of a North American F-86D fighter on the runway at McChord Air Force Base was taken in December of 1953 for an article on the history of aviation that appeared in the Tacoma News Tribune. In 1953 the F-86D Sabre was the fastest regulation military aircraft in the world. In July of that year it had set a new world speed record of 715.697 m.p.h. over a 3 km course. The only thing faster was the experimental Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket which by December of 1953 had been clocked at speeds up to 1,327 m.p.h. (Ordered by the Tacoma News Tribune.) (TNT 12/12/1953 p.16)

Airplanes; Fighter planes--U.S. Air Force--1950-1960;

US Air Force pilot poses in front of his jet airplane, most probably at McChord Air Force Base. The pilot is wearing a flight helmet with the breathing apparatus pulled away from his face. Ordered by the Tacoma News Tribune.

Airplanes; Fighter planes--U.S. Air Force; Military air pilots--Air Force;

Fourteen men in uniform are standing on the tarmac in front of a Western Airlines airplane. Another man, not in uniform, is looking at papers one of the men in uniform is holding.

Airplanes; Soldiers;

Students from the Clover Park High School pre-flight class were treated to an air show at McChord Field. The students, under direction of Fred Miner and Wilbur Snyder, were taken on an extended tour of flight operations, flight service, the weather station and the maintenance hangars. Three small airplanes are performing in the sky over the air field. Ordered by Kiwanis Club, H. Barker. (11/23/1952, p.B-6) TPL-5504

Airplanes--Tacoma; McChord Field (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Clover Park High School (Lakewood); School field trips--Lakewood;

Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. Large group of people in front of and on ramp to inside of airplane. This photograph is possibly connected to the inaugural direct flight of Pacific Northern Airlines from Portland, Seattle and Tacoma to Anchorage, Alaska in October of 1951. It took the DC-4 flagliner 7.5 hours of non-stop flying from Boeing Field to get to Elmendorf Field in Anchorage. Chamber of Commerce presidents from Seattle, Portland and Tacoma were among the dignitaries participating in the event. (TNT 10-4-1951, A-8-article on flight only)

Airplanes;

ca. 1950. Copy of old prints of airplanes pinned to a board. People boarding United Airlines. Large group of people next to Pacific Air transport air mail airplane. Ordered by WSHS, Chapin Foster, 2/20/50. (Argentum)

Airplanes; Airline industry;

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;

Joseph's was a beauty shop in Tacoma, it was located at 105 Tacoma Avenue North. Joseph's advertised the "Latest in Hair Fashions and New Techniques in Permanent Waving" Mr. Joseph (right) and Mr. Lloyd, two of Tacoma's leading hair stylists were traveling to Hollywood, California to attend the West Coast Style Show and to preview the latest fall fashions; they would be traveling on United airlines (T.N.T., 10/5/49, p. 9). TPL-9096

Airplanes--SeaTac; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Airplane propellers; Airports--SeaTac; Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac); United Airlines (SeaTac); Joseph's (Tacoma);

Bucky arriving at airport, Studio, Ed R. A man wearing an airlines uniform, possibly the pilot, is met by a girl at the airport. An airplane is seen behind them with the rolling stairway still pushed against its doorway.

Airplanes--SeaTac--1940-1950; Air pilots--SeaTac--1940-1950; Airports--SeaTac--1940-1950; Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac);

Plane crash, Mt. Rainier Ordnance Depot, photo ordered by Sandegren of the Tacoma Times. Two Army Air Force flyers were killed when the F-82 twin-engine fighter plane they were flying crashed and burned in the storage area of the Mount Rainier Ordnance Depot at Fort Lewis on February 23, 1949. Air Force officers are seen examining the debris for clues to the cause of the crash. One engine had "conked out" before the plane hit the ground. Tracer bullets and 50-caliber machine gun ammunition exploded at intervals as fire fighters attempted to check the fiercely burning plane. (T.Times, 2/24/1949, p.1) TPL-10357

Airplanes--Lakewood--1940-1950; Aircraft accidents--Lakewood--1940-1950; Fort Lewis (Wash.);

Publicity shots made at airfield, CAA. The Tacoma Squadron, Civil Air Patrol sponsored the Tacoma Air Show August 19, 1948, at Spanaway Sky Ranch. The exhibition was for the benefit of the cadets' treasury and funds were used for the purchase of new equipment for the unit. Major Orville French, commanding officer of the squadron, left, shows tickets to Joe Sim, College of Puget Sound student and former Air Force pilot who took an active part in the air show. (TNT, 8/22/1948, p.A-5)

Airplanes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Civil Air Patrol (Tacoma); Stunt flying--Tacoma--1940-1950; Airports--Tacoma--1940-1950; Spanaway Sky Ranch (Spanaway); French, Orville; Sim, Joe; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Publicity;

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;

Nancy Savidge, former Navy WAVE who served during World War II, is the first woman training under the GI Bill flight program at Ben Barry's Sky Harbor. Nancy will be flying a "Lucky Piper Cub" plane, and will be the first woman at the flight school to obtain a private pilot rating. Barry's Sky Harbor is reported to be the oldest flight school near Tacoma, it was established in 1937. There are 20 students currently enrolled at the school in the government approved program. The school is located on Highway 99, near the Puyallup River Bridge. (T. Times, 6/3/48, p. 4).

Airplanes--Tacoma; Airports--Tacoma; Airplane wings; Flight training--Tacoma; Aeronautics--Tacoma; Barry's Sky Harbor (Tacoma); Savidge, Nancy;

These four unidentified bathing beauties used a little cheesecake to help advertise the upcoming Pacific Air Exposition, scheduled for July 4th, 1947, at the "Seattle-Tacoma Airport" at Bow Lake (now Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.) The all-day airshow was sponsored by the Junior Chambers of Commerce of Tacoma and Seattle. The Exposition showcased Army and Navy aircraft, the new jet P-80 Shooting Stars, local hero Col. Ross Greening and a fleet of P-51 Mustangs, air acrobat Sammy Mason and the Hollywood Hawks, Wayne Lowell and the "Flying Hobo," Wally Blair. 15 to 20 thousand spectators jammed into the airport to view the show, crowding the grandstands built to accomodate 5,000. The seven-hour show went off without any mishaps to the delight of the enthusiastic spectators. Proceeds from the show went to the Army and Navy relief fund. One dollar was charged for admission with servicemen and kids free. (TNT ad 7-2-47, p. 26; TNT 7-3-47, p. 2-article; TNT 7-5-47, p.1-article)

Airplanes--SeaTac--1940-1950; Bathing suits; Bathing beauties; Publicity; Holidays--SeaTac--1940-1950; Banners--SeaTac--1940-1950;

A Control Line Model Airplane Meet took place at Tacoma Stadium Bowl. The rescue helicopter from McCord Field made a special appearance at the event. The helicopter arrived and gracefully landed, impressing the large Tacoma crowd. The event was sponsored by the Tacoma Young Men's Business Club (T. Times, 1/27/47, p. 47).

Helicopters--Tacoma; Search & rescue operations; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Military air shows--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma;

During a Control Line Model Airplane Meet at Tacoma Stadium Bowl, the rescue helicopter from McCord Field made a special appearance at the event. The type R-5A helicopter arrived and gracefully landed, impressing the large Tacoma crowd. The proficient helicopter can drop from any altitude straight down (if air density is favorable) to a spot of 60 square feet. The event was sponsored by the Tacoma Young Men's Business Club. View of men standing in front of the rescue helicopter from McCord Field (T. Times, 1/27/47, p. 47).

Helicopters--Tacoma; Search & rescue operations; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Military air shows--Tacoma;

A Control Line Model Airplane Meet took place at Tacoma Stadium Bowl. The rescue helicopter from McCord Field made a special appearance at the event. The helicopter arrived and gracefully landed, impressing the large Tacoma crowd. The event was sponsored by the Tacoma Young Men's Business Club (T. Times, 1/27/47, p. 47).

Helicopters--Tacoma; Search & rescue operations; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Military air shows--Tacoma;