The internet has proved to be a most valuable resource as I have been building my Early Birds website. It has often enabled me to find important references to the early flyers which I have featured. Also, it has enabled me to find relatives of those flyers, as well as for them to find me. AeroFiles "The internet's largest and most comprehensive non-commercial research and reference site about our nation's contributions in the exciting world of aeronautics." This has been one of the most valuable resources which I have used in the building of my site. It provides a wealth of information on many of the pioneer aviators and their planes with which I have been able to enhance their stories. CollectAir CollectAir is a real "brick and mortar", traditional aviation art gallery chock full of original art, prints, sculpture, vintage display models, new American-made models, ephemera, vintage model airplane exhibits, books and aeronautical artifacts. A few items are for display only but most are for sale. A museum of recognition training aids is an adjunct to the gallery. CollectAir is not a cyberspace or magazine ad gallery, pretending to be the real article. Because the number of aviation enthusiasts who are also serious collectors is rather limited in any one geographic area, I want to share the collection with aeronautical buffs throughout the world and the internet is the only attractive venue for a small business. This site represents an extension of the gallery and museum located in the downtown historic art district of Santa Barbara, California. Please browse this "alcove" often as exhibits change. Included is an overview of the gallery and the Museum of Aircraft Recognition, occasional articles of aviation interest, and pictures and descriptions of a limited number of selected items offered for sale. The on-line "catalogue" will be frequently changed so visit CollectAir often to catch the newest offerings. Drop by and have an aeronautical treat the next time you are in the Santa Barbara area. Call ahead for an appointment; I do want to visit with you. Be advised that this is NOT a collection of hundreds of aviation prints but is a thinking man's website. Our goal is to provide the aviation enthusiast with an eclectic "zine" spanning many eras and containing both text and graphics. Conventional wisdom is that viewers will not read - that's O.K. because if you're really interested in, and possibly would like to buy, aviation art, ephemera, books, collectibles etc., then our articles and graphics will be of value to you. This is not a comic book. Check out the list of "department links", and it's growing. Editor's Note: It is Steve Remington, the owner of this gallery, who has provided me with many copies of the Chirp, the official publication of the Early Birds. They have been filled with priceless stories, pictures and anecdotes which I have used to enhance the site. My profound thanks to him for his kindness. I can wholeheartedly recommend his site to you for your enjoyment and edification. Air Mail Pioneers "This website is dedicated to the men and women of the U.S. Air Mail Service, a little-remembered organization that laid the foundation for commercial aviation worldwide. With the cooperation of the U.S. Air Service, the U.S. Post Office flew the mail from 1918 until 1927." I have often used this website for the information it contains on individual flyers and also to contact their relatives who send email inquiries to the site. Naval Historical Center "Naval Historical Center Mission: To enhance the Navy's effectiveness by preserving, analyzing and interpreting its hard-earned experience and history for the Navy and the American people." This site provides wealth of information, both stories and photos, which help to tell the stories of the pioneer Naval aviators. You will find that it is a comprehensive and unique collection of material. I have found the "Naval Aviation History" section to be most valuable to my needs. The Early Birds "Welcome to the home page for The Early Birds of Aviation, Inc., first known as The Early Birds Club. This legendary group was founded in Chicago in December of 1928, shortly after the International Aeronautical Show and air races held there, to preserve the history of aviation and, in particular, the history of aviation before the Great War. A large number of pioneer aviators and aeronauts attended the event in Chicago and "Pop" Dickinson, ever willing to advance the cause of aviation, encouraged the idea that they, the pioneers of flight, should formally organize. Membership was limited to those who could provide evidence that they had soloed in any aerial craft, lighter-than-air or heavier-than-air, prior to December 17, 1916, the thirteenth anniversary of the first flight of an aeroplane, by Orville Wright at Kill Devil Hill, North Carolina." American Aerospace Pioneers "Through the years, American aviators, designers, and scientists -- civilian and military alike -- have led the way in exploring the frontiers of flight. Many of these men and women became legends while striving to expand the limits of human experience." This site offers entries for some 150 pioneers, most with portraits, many with biographies. Aviation History Online Museum "This site offers sections on Aircraft, Airmen, Engines, Theory, Photo Gallery and the Jesse Davidson Aviation Archives, a collection of thousands of photographs." The Aerodrome "Aces and Aircraft of WW I." This site has extensive sections on Aces, Aircraft, Books, Forum, Guests, Help, Links, Medals, News and Search. I have found it to be a most valuable resource and can highly recommend it to you. Herb Seiger's Pioneer Powered Plane Project" "Herb Sieger is a retired Swiss international trader. On taking early retirement back in the late eighties, he and his wife, Sylvia, moved to Tuscany, Italy, where they became 'hobby farmers'.It was his general interest in vintage aircraft that inspired Herb to try and research the subject in order to produce a chronological history of full-scale powered vintage planes, and modelflight was pleased to host the project." . Boston Public Library The Boston Public Library online store displays several photos, in their transportation section, from the 1910 Boston Harvard Aero Meet. The photos are spread over several pages, with other transportation photos, but a good starting point might be the web page at http://www.bpl.org/store/gallery.asp?page=7&gallID=9 which displays six photos from the air meet." . New York World Herald Go to the online photo archive for the New York World Herald (defunct in the 1970s) and you can search some of the Vaniman photos (and you might also find other early aviators by putting in their names—or early aviation photos back to the 1910s by simply searching “airplanes” “biplanes” etc. The photo of Vaniman’s Akron before take-off at Atlantic City is there:." . From Greg Harrison..2-24-06 Cicero Flying Field Origin, Operation, Obscurity and Legacy - 1891 to 1916 © 2005-2006 Carroll Gray Carroll Gray has assembled a remarkable resource here for anyone interested in the early days of aviation. You will find many of the familiar names of pioneers, and some unfamiliar ones, displayed on this page in text and photos. You will be well rewarded by visiting the site. 56 Aviation Images This is the entry point to a display of some 56 aviation images on the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, NY, Rochester Images website . On it you will find a superb collection of images, each with complete information as to its content and its source. You will recognize such familiar names as Charles Lindbergh, John Frisbie, Dr. William Green, and many others. You can access the page by clicking on the title above. |