1 MS-376 ROBERT E. WILLIAMS AVIATION COLLECTION Collection Number: MS-376 Title: Robert E. Williams Aviation Collection Dates: 1909-2002 Creator: Williams, Robert E., 1923-2003 Summary/Abstract: Robert E. Williams was an aviation illustrator who worked for Douglas Aircraft for over 30 years. He was also the managing editor of the American Aviation Historical Society Journal for twenty-four years. The majority of his aviation collection is composed of photographs of a wide- variety of aircraft, with the largest number being Douglas aircraft. It also includes photographs of several prototype aircraft produced by Douglas, including the XB-19, YC-15, XB-42, the original DC-8, and the original DC-4 (later renamed the DC-4E). Along with the general aviation photographs, the collection includes assembly line photos, airplane schematics, sales brochures, newspaper and magazine articles, drawings, commemorative memorabilia, and articles written by Mr. Williams for the Douglas Company newsletter “Yesteryear,” and the American Aviation Historical Society Journal. Quantity/Physical Description: 33.3 linear feet Language(s): English Repository: Special Collections and Archives, Paul Laurence Dunbar Library, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435-0001, (937) 775-2092 Restrictions on Access: There are no restrictions on accessing material in this collection. Restrictions on Use: Copyright restrictions may apply. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder. Preferred Citation: MS-376, Robert Williams Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.
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MS-376 ROBERT E. WILLIAMS AVIATION COLLECTION
Collection Number: MS-376
Title: Robert E. Williams Aviation Collection
Dates: 1909-2002
Creator: Williams, Robert E., 1923-2003
Summary/Abstract:
Robert E. Williams was an aviation illustrator who worked for Douglas Aircraft for over 30
years. He was also the managing editor of the American Aviation Historical Society Journal for
twenty-four years. The majority of his aviation collection is composed of photographs of a wide-
variety of aircraft, with the largest number being Douglas aircraft. It also includes photographs
of several prototype aircraft produced by Douglas, including the XB-19, YC-15, XB-42, the
original DC-8, and the original DC-4 (later renamed the DC-4E). Along with the general
aviation photographs, the collection includes assembly line photos, airplane schematics, sales
brochures, newspaper and magazine articles, drawings, commemorative memorabilia, and
articles written by Mr. Williams for the Douglas Company newsletter “Yesteryear,” and the
American Aviation Historical Society Journal.
Quantity/Physical Description: 33.3 linear feet
Language(s): English
Repository:
Special Collections and Archives, Paul Laurence Dunbar Library, Wright State University,
Dayton, OH 45435-0001, (937) 775-2092
Restrictions on Access: There are no restrictions on accessing material in this collection.
Restrictions on Use:
Copyright restrictions may apply. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright.
Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright
holder.
Preferred Citation:
MS-376, Robert Williams Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives, University
Libraries, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.
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Acquisition:
The Robert E. Williams Aviation Collection was donated to Special Collections and Archives on
November 14, 2003 by Mr. Williams’ wife, Geraldine Williams.
Separated Material:
Approximately 375 aviation history books were received with the collection. These books were
integrated into the Special Collections and Archives aviation history book inventory located in
the department’s Reading Room. Additionally, approximately 250 videotapes containing
aviation documentaries and popular aviation films were received with the collection and are
currently stored in department’s off-site storage facility. There is no inventory for the films.
Related Material:
MS-165, Peter B. Kline Papers
MS-223, William F. Yeager Aviation Collection
MS-225, Art Kreiger Aviation Collection
MS-344, Walter Matthew Jefferies Aviation Collection
MS-353, Robert L. Cavanagh Aviation Collection
Processing Information:
When received, the photographs and general aviation research were filed together in files number
1 through more than 300. This made the collection difficult to use. In addition, there was a large
number of duplicate photographs throughout the collection. The decision was made to separate
the photographs from the research, remove multiple copies of the same photograph, and create
two series – photographs and aviation research. Files are cross-referenced in the collection
inventory file list, e.g. the box and folder in the aviation research series that applies to a specific
photograph file in the photograph series will provide the box and folder of the corresponding file.
Processed by: Ed O’Shaughnessy 2012-2013. Finding aid written to DACS standards by John
Armstrong, 2014.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged in two series.
Series I: Photographs, 1918-2001
Series II: Aviation Research
Biographical/Historical Note:
Robert E. “Bob” Williams was born in a small mid-western town in Indiana in 1923. He married
his high school sweetheart six months after her graduation from high school and three days
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before he entered the U.S. Army in December 1941. They raised six children. With Bob in the
Army, his wife, Gerry, followed him to each Army post until he went overseas in late 1944.
When Bob returned from overseas, he left the Army and began attending college at the Dayton
Art Institute in Dayton, Ohio. During school breaks, when the G.I Bill check were not coming
in, he found work as a sign painter. After graduation, Bob concentrated on the sign business and
bought an undeveloped lot where he hand-built a house for his family.
Bob started his aerospace career working for the Air Force Material Command at Wright-
Patterson AFB, in Dayton, Ohio, as an illustrator. He rose to a supervisory position but,
realizing the limitations of a civil service career, he decided to move to California to work for the
Douglas Aircraft Company where he worked for 30 years. When he started at Douglas, there
were C-124s, B-26s, and the XC-133 in the plant. His first assignment was to furnish
illustrations for the XC-122. For the Douglas Aircraft Company engineering publications
department he created “Yesteryear….” a series of articles on the history of Douglas aircraft that
were published world-wide in the “Douglas Service” magazine that was distributed to all users
of Douglas aircraft.
In the spring of 1977 he took over the post of managing editor for the American Aviation
Historical Society Journal and held that post for twenty-four years. During those 24-years he
produced close to 100 issues, developing a new style and increasing its professional quality. He
also moved the publication from being hand-produced to being produced by computer.
Robert E. “Bob: Williams died on July 18, 2003.
Scope and Content:
Robert E. Williams was an aviation illustrator who worked for Douglas Aircraft and was the
managing editor of the American Aviation Historical Society Journal for many years. The
majority of the collection is composed of photographs of a wide-variety of aircraft, with the
largest number being Douglas aircraft.
Series I, Photographs, contains a wide-range of photographs of various aircraft including aircraft
produced by Douglas, McDonnell, North American, Bell, and many others. The photographs are
generally grouped according to manufacturer and by type of aircraft, i.e. fighters, bombers, etc.
and are not necessarily in alphabetical order. The photographs were primarily used to illustrate
articles by Mr. Williams in the American Aviation Historical Society Journal (see Series II,
Aviation Research). The collection also includes photographs of several prototype aircraft
produced by Douglas, including the XB-19, YC-15, XB-42, the original DC-8, and the original
DC-4 (later renamed the DC-4E).
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Series II, Aviation Research, primarily consists of newspaper and magazine articles Mr.
Williams obtained while researching a particular airplane or topic. Some files contain drawings
and a few contain articles written by Mr. Williams. The files are identified by topic, but are not
grouped by topic or by aircraft and are not in alphabetical or date order. The order of the files
was established by Mr. Williams and generally follow his research interests. The order of the
files in this series generally match the order of the files in Series I, Photographs.
Subject Terms
Persons/Families
Williams, Robert E., 1923-2003
Hirsch, Robert S., 1918 -
Organizations/Corporate Names
Douglas Aircraft Company
McDonnell Douglas Corporation
American Aviation Historical Society
Places
California
Subjects (General)
McDonnell Douglas aircraft - - History
Airplanes
Aircraft industry - - History
Douglas airplanes
Aircraft industry - - United States - - History
Material Types
Photographs
Drawings
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Schematic drawings
Aviation drawings
Occupations
Aviation artist
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Collection Inventory
Series I: Photographs, 1918-2001
Box File Description Date
1 1 Douglas DC-1 File 1 of 3 X223Y Exterior
--In-Flight (15)
--Accidents 1933(3), 1938 in Spain(3)
1933-1934, 1938
2 Douglas DC-1 File 2 of 3TWA X223Y Exterior
--Glendale Grand Central Terminal, CA 8/16/1933,
probably 1st commercial flight (14)
--Undergoing Maintenance (5)
--Various Views (10)
--Douglas family(?) beside DC-1 (1)
1933
3 Douglas DC-1 File 3 of 3 Interior and Construction
--Cockpit (5)
--Passenger Compartment (10)
--Construction (30)
1933
4 Douglas DC-2 File 1of 3: Publicity, Interior,
Construction
--Interior (5)
--Publicity (9)
--Construction(19)
1933-1934
5 Douglas DC-2 File 2 of 3: On the Ground (24) 1934-1935, 1991
6 Douglas DC-2 File 3 of 3: In Flight & China Air
Wreckage (27)
1934-1937, 1977-
1988
7 Douglas DC-3 File 1 of 4: Hardback Photos by
airline
1937-1957
8 Douglas DC-3 File 2 of 4: In Flight 1940, 1999
9 Douglas DC-3 File 3 of 5: On the Ground, sorted
by airline where possible
1934-1961
2 1 Douglas DC-3 File 4 of 4: Assembly, Hanger,
Publicity, Accidents
1936-1951
2 Douglas DC-4: Photos 1936-1951, 1964-
1968, 1986
3 Douglas DC-5 File 1of 3: In flight 1939
4 Douglas DC-5 File 2 of 3: On the Ground 1939-1940
5 Douglas DC-5 File 3 of 3: Construction, Cockpit,
Publicity
undated
6 Douglas DC-6/C118/R4D File 1 of 4: Maintenance,
1973 Ceremony, Publicity
1945-1947, 1973
7 Douglas DC-6/C118/R4D File 2 of 4: Ground 1946-1965
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8 Douglas DC-6/C118/R4D File 3 of 4: Flight (1 of
2)
1948-1958
9 Douglas DC-6/C118?R4D File 4 of 4: Flight (2 of
2)
1946-1958
10 Douglas DC-7 File 1 of 2: Ground 1958-1959
11 Douglas DC-7 File 2 of 2: Flight 1955
12 Douglas DC-8 File 1 of 3: Series 10 through 30 1958-1959
3 1 Douglas DC-8 File 2 of 3: Series 40 through 50 and
mixed types
1964-1966
2 Douglas DC-8 File 3 of 3: 60 and 70 Series 1967-1983
3 Douglas DC-9 File 1 of 4: Series 10 1983 Jan
4 Douglas DC-9 File 2 of 4: Series 30/40/50 undated
5 Douglas DC-9 File 3 of 4: MD80 1 of 2 – Ground,
Interior, Maintenance
1994 Jun
6 DC-9/MD-80 File 4 of 4: MD80 2 of 2 – Take off
and in Flight
undated
4 1 DC-10/MD-10/ File 1 of 5– N10DC- Long Beach
facility & unidentified DC-10
undated
2 DC-10/MD/10 File 2 of 5 – N10DC – First DC-10 undated
3 DC-10/MD-10 File 3 of 5 – Series 10 1970
4 DC-10/MD-10 File 4 of 5 – Series 30 undated
5 1 DC-10/MD-10/KC10A File 5 of 5 – Series 40
&KC10A(30CF)
undated
2 MD-11 File 1 of 2 – Assembly Line, Ramp and
Interiors
Jul. 1992
3 MD-11 File 2 of 2 - Aircraft 1989-1991
4 YC-15 undated
5 DB-1/DB-2 1937 Feb-Mar
6 B-18 “Bolo” 1935-1938
7 DB-2/A-20 File 1 1942-1944
6 1 DB-2/A20 File 2 1941-1942
2 A-26/B-26 File 1 1944-1952
3 A-26/B-26 File 2 1943-1952
4 XB-19 File 1 of 2 – Ground Jan. 1942
5 XB-19 File 2 of 2 – Take Off, Interior, In Flight 1938-1942
6 Douglas B-23 “Dragon” – Ground, Assembly,
Interior, Flight, scale models; B-23 N747M (owned
by Howard Hughes and Gar Wood)
1939 Jun- Dec
7 1 Consolidated B-24/PB4Y-2 “Liberator” 1944 Jul
2 Donald W. Douglas 1924-1939
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3 Douglas DC-4E File 1 of 3: On the Ground
1938-1939
4 Douglas DC-4E File 2 of 3: Assembly, Interior 1937-1939
5 Douglas DC-4E File 3 of 3: In Flight, Loading for
Japan
1938-1939
6 North American B-25 “Mitchell” 1951 Aug
7 Fairchild Aircraft; Metroliner, F27, Super 71,
F46A, Model 91, C24 “Pilgrim:, PT-23, UC-86,
JK-1
1940-1994
8 1 Douglas SBD/A-24 Dauntless File 1 of 3: A24 and
SBD-1, -2, -3
1942-1943
2 Douglas SBD Dauntless File 2 of 3: SBD4 & 5 undated
3 Douglas SBD/A-24 Dauntless File 3 of 3: In Flight 1944 Jul
4 Douglas A-1/AD Skyraider File 1 of 6: XBT2D-1,
AD-1, AD-3, Unidentified)
1945-1951
5 Douglas A-1/AD Skyraider File 2 of 6: AD-4 1951-1955
6 Douglas A-1/AD Skyraider File 3 of 6: AD-5-1 of
2
1951-1956
7 Douglas A-1/AD Skyraider File 4 of 6: AD-6-1 of
3, BuNo.s 134466, 139641, 139688
1953-1957
9 1 Douglas A-1/AD Skyraider File 5 of 6: AD-6-2 of
3, Operational Pics
undated
2 Douglas A-1/AD Skyraider File 6 of 6: AD-6-3 of
3, Formations, Multiple aircraft and Miscellaneous
1956 Jun
3 James McDonnell/McDonnell Aircraft Corporation undated
4 McDonnell LBD-1 Gargoyle undated
5 Amelia Earhart undated
6 Douglas D558 “Skyrocket” undated
7 Douglas A-4 Skyhawk File 1 of 6: XA4D-1, A4D-
1(A4A), A4D-2 (A4B)
1954-1958
6 Douglas A-4 Skyhawk File 2 of 6: A4D-2N (A4C) 1959, 1969
10 1 Douglas A-4 Skyhawk File 3 of 6: A4E 1 of 2 undated
2 Douglas A-4 Skyhawk File 4 of 6: A4E 2 of 2 undated
3 Douglas A-4 Skyhawk File 5 of 6: A4F undated
4 Douglas A-4 Skyhawk File 6 of 6: A4H, J, M, N;
Formation, Factory
1961-1967
5 Martin B-57 Canberra undated
6 Ozark Air Lines
Photos of fleet including: Douglas DC-9, Fokker F-