Ralph S. Johnson papers, 1935-2008 | Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

By Mary A. Sego, 2009

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Collection Overview

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Subject/Index Terms

Administrative Information

Box and Folder Listing

Box 1: Papers and drawings, 1941-2008

Folder 1: Engineering Drawings and Paper, 1942-1944

Item 1: Approach and Landing Procedure, Technique, and Equipment for Proficient Landing of Aircraft During Blacked-Out Conditions -- Incorporating the All-Weather Approach and Landing Technique, April 16, 1942

Item 2: Centrifugally Operating Grounding Switch, July 15, 1944

Item 3: Throttle Landing Power Limiter-Indicator, July 22, 1944

Item 4: Throttle Landing Power Limiter (Mounted on Carburetor Body), July 25, 1944

Folder 2: Articles and Papers, Circa 1940s-1948

Item 1: Descent Test, undated, circa 1940s [detailed letter from Ralph Johnson to W. C. Mentzer and R.D. Kelly]

Item 2: An All-Weather Approach and Landing Technique for DC-3 Airplanes, May 2, 1941

Item 3: “All Weather Flight Methods”, written and directed by Ralph S. Johnson, Engineering Department of United Air Lines, United Air Lines Transport Corporation, c. 1943 [dvd, b&w; sound; length: 37 minutes, 48 seconds; file size: 1.28 GB; plays with Windows Media Player, 2 copies]

Item 4: Chief Test Pilot, United Air Lines, Inc. [paper presented before the Society of Automotive Engineers, Los  Angeles, California, October 6, 1944 – includes photographs of flight deck coordinator instrument and engine]

Item 5: Exposure—The Key to Flight Safety, Air Transport, April, 1947

Item 6: Buzzing is Bad Business, Air Transport, May 1947

Item 7: Cross-Wind Landings, Air Transport, June, 1947

Item 8: Cross-Wind Takeoffs, Air Transport, July, 1947

Item 9: When Vulnerable Be Vigilant, Air Transport, October, 1947

Item 10: All-Weather Landing Descent, Air Transport, November, 1947

Item 11: Get  Better Landings with All-Weather Roll-Ons, Air Transport, March, 1948

Folder 3: Newspaper Clippings, Certificate, Honorary Doctorate of Engineering, 1992-2008

Item 1: Aviation Industry Finally Recognizing Pioneer’s Feats [newspaper clipping from Scottsdale Progress, July 11, 1992]

Item 2: Goodland Native, 100, is ‘Part of the History of Flight’  Wyoming declares: June 26 was Captain Ralph S. Johnson Day [newspaper clipping from Lafayette Journal and Courier, Sunday, July 2,  2006]

Item 3: Jack Knight’s Long Night: The Mail Went Through [newspaper clipping, source and date unknown; notation states one of  Ralph’s friends and his favorite newspaper article, a hero to Ralph]

Item 4: Purdue University College of Engineering School of Mechanical Engineering and School of Aeronautics and Astronautics Co-Nominated with Purdue University Libraries [nomination for Doctorate of Engineering, honoris causa, Fall, 2007]

Item 5: Itinerary for Ralph S. Johnson, Commencement Weekend, May 8-11, 2008

Item 6: "The President and Trustees of Purdue University cordially invite you to dinner celebrating those receiving honorary doctorates at Spring Commencement "  [invitation to Westwood, Saturday, May 10, 2008]

Item 7: "The President and Trustees of Purdue University cordially invite you to a Luncheon celebrating Spring Commencement 2008 [invitation to luncheon in the Café and John Purdue Room – Stone Hall, Saturday, May 10, 2008]

Folder 4: Aviation: The Early Years [spiral bound publication compiled by Jacqueline McBrien Morgan from  the respective memoirs of: Ralph S. Johnson, test pilot, United Airlines and Richard L. McBrien, Engineer, United Airlines, undated

Folder 5: Memoirs and Biographical Information, 1977-2006

Item 1: Transcript, interview with Ralph S. Johnson, by Red Kelso, Cheyenne, Wyoming, November 16, 1977

Item 2: “Captain Ralph S. Johnson,” spiral bound biography, sent to Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame, by Captain Billy Walker, 1992

Item 3: Excerpts from an article on Ralph Johnson in RUPANEWS, November, 2002 [pages 3-4 of a what appears to be a fax transmission, other pages missing]

Item 4: “The Best Of Times: Memoirs of Ralph Johnson,” as told to his niece, Jacqueline McBrien Morgan, during his 99^th year, 2005

Item 5: “Fait pour Valour”, by Billy Walker, ca. 2006 [biographical pages for Captain Ralph S. Johnson, compiled and clipped together]

Folder 6: Photographs, Circa 1930s-2006

Item 1: Captain Ralph S. Johnson, Chief Test Pilot, United Airlines, 1935-1947 [8”x10” photograph, in United Airlines uniform]

Item 2: C-82 dispersing insecticide, Ralph Johnson’s plane, Ralco, CO [photograph mounted on board, undated]

Item 3: Ralph S. Johnson, Aviation History [twenty photos on CD, jpegs, 35.3 mb, along with a sheet with notations on the significance of each photograph]

Item 1: B-18 Loading Up: taken in the mid-1950s

Item 2: Captain Ralph, United Airlines: taken in the late 1930s - early 1940

Item 3: Douglas DC-5: Ralph test flew this aircraft while on loan from United, undated

Item 4: Flight Deck Coordinator: Ralph’s Master Equipment Company manufactured thousands of these scrolling checklist aids for the airlines and military from the 1950s to the 1970s

Item 5: Firebomber test: one of Ralco’s PV-2 Harpoons converted to borate bomber use, undated

Item 6: Flight Safety Foundation citation – Ralph was honored with the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award in November, 2005

Item 7: Long Island Newsday Zero Vix Landing Spread, undated

Item 8: PV-2 Flightline, undated

Item 9: PV-2 loading, undated

Item 10: PV-2 number 112, undated

Item 11: Ralph S. Johnson and S-39, undated

Item 12: Ralph S. Johnson Bonanza, undated

Item 13: Class of 1931 – U.S. Army pilot training photo, undated

Item 14: Ralph S. Johnson (head and shoulders) at the Pima Air Museum the night he was inducted into the Arizona Hall of Fame in April, 2006

Item 15: NAA Award – Ralph receiving the National Aeronautics Association Elder Statesman Award, 1991

Item 16: Ralph on PV-2, undated

Item 17: Ralph and B-17, undated

Item 18: Ralph and B-24, undated

Item 19: Ralph and PV-2 – Ralph at 99 in front of a PV-s Harpoon he donated to the Pima Air Museum, undated

Item 20: S-39 Ad – advertisement for rides in the Sikorsky S-39 Ralph flew for the Ball Brothers at Lake Wawasee, Indiana, undated

Box 2: Papers, 1929-1944

Folder

1.  National Advisory Committee For Aeronautics, list of aircraft circulars, beginning with No. 97, 1929

2.  Certificate declaring Ralph Samuel Johnson, Cadet Captain, Purdue University Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, February 1, 1930

3.  Biographical information and articles about Ralph S. Johnson, 1930s-2000s [includes photograph of Johnson in front of Acacia House Fraternity at Purdue University]

4.  U.S. Mineral Survey, Doris Ruby Mining Group, circa 1930s

5.  Radio Procedure, Air Corps Primary Flying School, Department of Ground Instruction, circa 1930s [includes telegraph codes]

6. “Sketches,” circa 1930s and 1940s [includes correspondence and engineering designs done by Johnson]

7.  “Impact-Resistant Windshield Construction,” George L. Pigman, Civil Aeronautics Administration and “Development of Stall Warning Indicators,” James George, Civil Aeronautics Administration, circa 1930s

8. The National Army Air Maneuvers of 1931 [manuscript by Johnson]

9. Various newspaper clippings related to aviation that Johnson collected, 1931-1935 [Significant articles about plane crash that killed Will Rogers and Wiley Post, articles about other accidents and historical aviation events from the time period]

10.  Certificate of technical training, Air Corps Technical School, Chanute Field, Illinois, June 30, 1933 [includes various documents from the United States War Department]

11.  “Airplane Accidents,” October 17, 1933 – May 4, 1937

12.  "United Air Lines Inter-Company Correspondence; Subject: Weather Service – Reports, May 17, 1934

13.  New release from Post Office Department in regards to air mail contracts, May 4, 1934

14.  “Proposed De-Icer, designed by Ralph S. Johnson, United Air Lines,” April 19, 1934

15.  National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, list of reports with prices, March, 1934

16.  Various newspaper clippings related to aviation that Johnson collected, 1935-2008 [predominately from 1935, other odds and ends]

17.  Letter of Recommendation for Ralph Johnson, from Walter J. Addems, Chief Pilot, “Eastern Division,” February 12, 1935

18.  "Letters Personal,” 1935-1941

19.  Memorandum to all employees of United Air Lines, by newly appointed president, W.A. Patterson, April 12, 1935

20.  Accident Report, Plane 317, Trip 4 of October 6, 1935

21.  Accident Report, #NC-13323, Cheyenne, Wyoming, October 30, 1935

22.  Correspondence in regards to aileron control system and an ice incident in the elevator hinge gap, 1936

23.  “Airplane Accidents,” May 5, 1937 – July 27, 1938

24.  Edited transcript, National Parks Series, Rocky Mountain Park, First Draft, Sunday, April 25, 1937 [Ralph Johnson was the pilot, while this interview was taking place]

25.  Study on Master Rod Bearing Lubrication/Failures, completed by Johnson, 1938

26.  Annual Report of United Air Lines Transport Corporation, 1939

27.  Civil Aeronautics Authority Bureau of Federal Airways, Airways Operation Division, Manual of Operations, Chapter B – Communications Section, part 4, section 3 – “Q” signal abbreviations, June 1, 1939

28.  Ice Accumulation Studies/De-Ice Issue, circa 1940s

29.  “Aileron Work, Douglas Airplanes,” circa 1940s

30.  "Exposure – The Key to Flight Safety,” circa 1940s [includes designs by Johnson]

31.  “Carburetor Preheat Tests,” circa 1940

32.  “Letters General,” 1940-1941 [includes a passenger discomfort report]

33.  Correspondence in regards to Ralph Johnson’s reemployment with United Air Lines in Cheyenne, Wyoming, 1940

34.  How to use the Douglas Sky Rule, by A.A. Manoff, circa 1940s

35.  Test Flight Policy and Procedure, 1940-1941

36.  United Airlines Transport Corporation Technical Bulletins, 1940-1941

37.  “Letters – W.A. Patterson,” 1940-1941

38.  “Letters – Outside Air Company,” 1940-1941 [includes correspondence in regards to an instrument to detect ice accumulation during flight and a process to metallize the leading edges of propeller blades]

39.  "Compass Investigation,” 1941

40.  “First Quarterly Report, Engineering Research Department, United Air Line Transport Corporation, Chicago, Illinois,” 1941

41.  “Operations, United Airlines Transport Corporation,” 1941 [information dealing with thunderstorm procedures/reports by flight officers]

42.  “Communications, United Airlines Transport Corporation,” 1941 [information dealing with radios/navigational aids]

43.  “RSJ Drawings, E-58, App. A,” circa 1941

44.  United Air Line annual reports, 1941-1944

45.  “Accidents – Planes,” 1941-1945

46.  “An All-Weather Approach and Landing Technique for DC-3 Airplanes, 1941 [includes comments about the technique in correspondence from Hugh Coleman]

47.  “An All-Weather Approach and Landing Technique for DC-3 Airplanes,” 1942 [includes Johnson’s notations]

48.  “All Weather Flight Methods - Military,” 1942-1943 [includes correspondence written by Johnson and from Johnson’s colleagues concerning all-weather approach and landing technique with DC-3 airplanes and the creation of a training film]

49.  "All Weather Flight Techniques,” 1941-1945 [contains correspondence to and from Ralph Johnson, United Airlines, in regards to the all-weather flight techniques, along with some notations and designs by Johnson]

50.  National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, Heated-Wing De-Icing System, Lockheed 12 Airplane, 1941

51.  “E-74-2, National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics,” De-Icing Strategies Sub-Committee, 1941-1944

52.  Flight Principals, War Training Institute, 1942

53.  “Aircraft Radio Direction Finding, reports #1 - #5,” circa 1942

54.  “United Air Lines, Radio Range Orientation Procedures,” circa 1942

55.  “Design Alternatives,” 1942 [sketches by Johnson, with focus on Direction Computing and Indicating Instrument with inventor documentation ]

56.  “Procedures Manual for the Cheyenne and San Francisco Flight Test Sections,” circa 1942

57.  “Physical Exams,” 1941-1942

58.  Communication Instructions for Reporting Enemy Sightings: For aircraft operated by Army Air Transport Command, the Naval Air Transport Service and Commercial Air Lines, June 1943

59.  United Air Lines Transport Corporation, Chicago, Illinois, Flight Officers – Seniority List, January 1, 1943

60.  "Pilot Techniques for Short Field Operations – T621E,” 1943

61.  Certificate for Johnson’s membership in “Domain of Neptune Rex,” November 22, 1943

62.  Miscellaneous items,1943-2009 [includes certificates, clippings and correspondence]

63.  “A discussion of the idea of increasing the cross weight of an airplane and reducing the stall speed by the use of power throughout the descent to landing,” 1944 [includes designs by Johnson]

Box 3: Papers, 1943-1960

Folder

1.   “Personal – Pacific Operations,” September 21, 1943- March 31, 1945 [folder 1]

2.   “Personal – Pacific Operations,” April 3, 1945 – July 7, 1945 [folder 2]

3.  "Power-Controlled Landings; from Crash Critiques,” September 1944

4.  “Co-Ordination of Flight Deck Duties on Large Airplanes, by Ralph S. Johnson, chief test pilot, United Airlines, Inc. for Society of Automotive Engineers,” October 6, 1944

5.  Pilot’s Flight Operating Instructions For Army Model B – 17F, British Model Fortress II, June 20, 1944

6.  Performance Data Manual, Model C-87 Airplane, 1944

7.  “Standardized Verbal and Visual Signals For Use by Pilots on Large Airplanes, Report Number CX – 64,” prepared by Ralph S. Johnson, Chief Test Pilot, United Air Lines, Inc., November 1, 1944

8.  “E-57-6, Society of Automotive Engineers, Aircraft Activity Committee (National), 1944-1946

9.  Correspondence with W.A. Straith, Aero Insurance Underwriters on the hand signal, “Flaps Zero,” May, 1945

10.  “The Mail Must Go,” delivered before the 25^th anniversary dinner, first air mail flight, Cheyenne, Wyoming, September 8, 1945

11.  “The Flying Cadet (after 15 years), bits and pieces of information on what has happened to members of the Kelly Field Class of June, 1931,” compiled by W. McC. Wood, Draper, Virginia, February, 1946

12.  Press release, News Bureau, United Air Lines, Sperry-Equipped Plane, September 11, 1946 [includes document on demonstration of Sperry Model A-12 Gyropilot]

13.  Hughes, Albert D. (September 14, 1946).  Instruments Put Planes on Landing Beam.  The Christian Science Monitor, p. 8A. [features Johnson and information on Sperry automatic flight instruments]

14.  Pilot’s check list, correspondence from Vern L. Carstens, chief test pilot for Beech Aircraft Corporation to Mr. Dillard Walker, Plains Airways, August 29, 1946 in regards to edited check list.

15.  Articles by Ralph S. Johnson published in Air Transport, 1947-1948 [many deal with all-weather landing descent]

16.  “Reading File,” July 1947 [includes correspondence, often dealing with obtaining air plane parts]

17.  “Reading File,” August 1947 [includes correspondence, often dealing with obtaining air plane parts]

18.  “Reading File,” September 1947 [includes correspondence, often dealing with obtaining air plane parts]

19.  “Reading File,” October 1947 [includes documents from Plainsair Survey Corporation]

20.  “Reading File,” November 1947 [includes correspondence, often dealing with obtaining air plane parts and documents in regards to Plainsair Survey Corporation]

21.  “Reading File,” December 1947 [includes correspondence, often dealing with obtaining air plane parts and documents in regards to Plainsair Survey Corporation]

22.  “Reading File,” January 1948 [includes correspondence, often dealing with obtaining air plane parts and documents in regards to Plainsair Survey Corporation and Aeronautic Services Corporation]

23.  “Reading File,” February 1948 [includes correspondence about withdrawal of Aeronautic Services Corporation (ASCO) stock from the market and documents about wing flaps]

24.  Operating manual for AN/ART-13, Airborne Radio Equipment, October 25, 1949

25.  Civil Aeronautics Board, Accident Investigation Reports, December 16, 1948, September 7, 1955, October 4, 1955, April 17, 1957

26.  Payroll Book, Plainsair Survey Corporation, 1950-1955

27.  “Aircraft Titles,” circa 1950s-1990s [folder 1]

28.  “Aircraft Titles,” circa 1950s-1990s [folder 2]

29.  Miscellaneous business correspondence, 1951

30.  “Letters General,” 1952-1953 [as noted by Johnson, contains general business correspondence’

31.  Beckman Instruments Instruction Manual, Beckman Model B Spectrophotometer and Accessories, 1954

32.  “PV2 Lockheed information,” circa 1955-1965

33.  Air Agency Certificate issued by The United States of America Department of Commerce, Civil Aeronautics Administration to Aeronautics Services Corporation, Cheyenne, Wyoming, January 23, 1956

34.  “Jokes,” circa 1960s-2000 [various jokes pulled from reading material and highlighted by Johnson]

35.  Pratt and Whitwey R2000 Engines and C54 Specifications, 1960

36.  Air Transport Association of America – Release of Updated Requirements for All-Weather Operations – No. 60-205, December 30, 1960

37.  “New Ideas,” circa 1960-1979 [includes “Dispensing Design” and fire ant bombing information]

38.  Civil Air Patrol, 1961-1969

39.  Miscellaneous documents and articles, 1963

40.  Flyer and card from Johnson’s running for seat as State House Representative, November 3, 1964

41.  “Pilot Correspondence,” 1964-1978

Box 4: Papers, 1960-2009

Folder

1.  “Pilot Qualifications,”  RALCO, 1966-1973

2.  Department of the Air Force, Headquarters 90^th Strategic Missile Wing (SAC), Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming; Special Order T-335, March 10, 1967

3.  “Salaries-Agreements,” 1967-1974

4.  Correspondence and information in regards to purchase and sale of DC-6s, also includes a document on Western Air Lines, Inc., DC-6B Descriptive Data, 1969-1972

5.  “Engines and Props,” circa 1970s

6.  Pneumatic Feed System, 1970 [includes designs by Johnson]

7.  Correspondence in regards to C-54 Slurry Tank purchases and installation and document on Field Inspection of Air Tankers for Compliance with Step No. 4 of “Air Tanker Requirements and Criteria,” 1971-1978

8.  Correspondence in regards to purchase and sale of C-54s, 1972-1978 [predominately RALCO transactions, folder 1]

9.  Correspondence in regards to purchase and sale of C-54s, 1972-1977 [predominately RALCO transactions, folder 2]

10.  Correspondence in regards to Johnson’s light weight contact aircraft jack, 1974

11.  United States of America Patent No. 3,860,202; Method and Apparatus for Dispensing Granular Material from Aircraft, Johnson, January 14, 1975

12.  Nuclear Exploration and Development Company, Lander, Wyoming, June 30, 1975

13.   “Master Equipment Company, Preliminary Instructions, Continuous Inspections Program,” 1975-1976

14.  Miscellaneous documents, 1975-1979 [includes RALCO Lockheed PV-2 pilot general information questionnaire and a memo to all agricultural operators regarding operations over congested areas]

15.  RALCO Lockheed PV-2 pilot general questionnaire and standardized verbal and visual signals for use by pilots on large airplanes, 1976

16.  Engineering design by Johnson, Suction Barrel No Leak Drain, June 11, 1976

17.  William Littlewood Memorial Lecture, “Our Amazing Air Transportation System,” Raymond D. Kelly, Senior Associate, R. Dixon Speas Associates, Incorporated, 1977 [presented by Ray, a friend of Johnson’s at the AIAA 13^th Annual Meeting and Technical Display Incorporating the Forum on the Future of Air Transportation, includes correspondence]

18.  focus, 509^th bomb wing, Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire, Summer 1978

19.  Booklet, addresses and telephone numbers, 1978-1979

20.  “404 and PV2,” 1979-1989

21.  Kelso, Red. (March 30, 1980). Ralph Johnson: The Early Years. SunDAY Magazine,  p. 8-9, 23.  Kelso, Red. (April 6, 1980). Ralph Johnson: Part II: The War Years And After. SunDAY Magazine, p. 18, 22- 23.

22.  Aircraft title report from FAA records search, “for William Riner,” circa 1980

23.  Miscellaneous items, circa 1980s-2000s

24.  “Electric,” circa 1980s-1990s [includes designs by Johnson and reading material on electric automobiles that he had gathered]

25.  Invitation to President Regan’s inauguration and various certificates, including one awarded to Johnson by United States Justice Foundation, 1981-2004

26.  Executive summary, preliminary assessment of minerals recovery, South Brawley Project, Imperial Valley, California, September, 1983

27.  The Orange County Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Seventh Annual Aviation Historical Symposium; “History of the Douglas DC-1, DC-2, DC-3 Aircraft; United Airlines DC-3 Aircraft, Projects and Tests, Raymond D. Kelly (section about Johnson on page 4), Saturday, May 14, 1983

28.  Booklet, addresses and telephone numbers, 1984

29.  Membership certificate, The Newcomen Society of the United States For The Study Of Material History, issued to Johnson on August 27, 1986

30.  Newspaper clippings in regards to the Cheyenne Municipal Airport’s 70^th anniversary, one article mentions Johnson, September, 1990

31.  My Life, Times, And Career In Aviation, Memoirs of Richard L. McBrien, United Air Lines colleague of Ralph Johnson, as written by McBrien’s children for his 50^th wedding anniversary, October 12, 1990

32.  Personal correspondence, circa 1990s

33.  National Aeronautic Association news releases and newsletters, includes information about Ralph Johnson receiving The National Aeronautic Association’s Certificate of Honor in March, 1991 and an award from the Airlines Pilot Association for his lifelong commitment to aviation safety, March 8, 1991-September 27, 1993

34.  “Save A Connie, Incorporated,” 1993-1994 [mainly deals with transfer of ownership of a plane]

35.  “Captain Ralph S. Johnson,” nomination material for Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame, submitted by Billy Walker, 1995

36.  The Best of Times, memoirs of Ralph S. Johnson, circa 2000

37.  “The John W. Johnson Family,” circa 2000

38.  American Aviation Historical Society information/newsletters and Los Angeles Department of Airports Historical Review, 1995-2002

39.  Membership Roster - OX5 Aviation Pioneers, 49^th anniversary 1955-2004, April, 2004

40.  Announcement and program for the Fiftieth Laura Taber Barbour Award for flight safety for which Johnson was the recipient, 2005

41.  “Introduction to Kiwanis Club Talk on Aviation’s Early Days,” October 2005

42.  Correspondence between Federal Aviation Administration and Johnson in regards to airplane repossession certificates, 2005

43.  Menu from Ralph’s 100^th birthday party, Saturday June 24, 2006 [features two photographs of Johnson]

44.  Program and Invitation – Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame, Eighteenth Annual Induction Ceremony/Dinner, Saturday, April 8, 2006 and April 7, 2007 [Johnson inducted in 2006]

45.  Personal cards given to Ralph and Ruth, 69^th anniversary, congratulations on induction into Arizona Hall of Fame and 100^th birthday, 2006

46.  Calendars with notations, 2008-2009

47.  Diploma; Honorary Doctorate and program from Purdue University’s 204^th Commencement, spring 2008

48.  Certificate in folder, “Ralph S. Johnson, In Recognition of Your 103^rd Birthday, June 26, 1906-June 26, 2009 [signed by Dave Freudenthal, Governor, State of Wyoming]

49.  Memorial programs, Ruth Bond Johnson, 1912-2009; Ralph S. Johnson, 1906-2010 and an obituary for Ralph from The Arizona Republic, Wednesday, January 27, 2010, p. B6; death certificate for Ruth Johnson, 2009; funeral and trust information, 2003-2010

Box 5: Aeronautical Publications and Patent Information, 1934-2002

Item/Folder

1.  United Air Lines News, April 1934; November, 1934 (2 photocopied copies); February, 1935; September, 1940; December, 1940; May, 1941; August, 1944

2.  Society of Automotive Engineers Transactions, volume 35, 1940

3.  50^th TR C Wing Training Directive, 1942 [sections were written by Ralph Johnson]

4.  Engineers in Theater Operations, reports of operations, United States Army Forces in the Far East, Southwest Pacific Area, Army Forces, Pacific, 1947

5.  Documents concerning Johnson’s patents and files from his patent attorney, John E. Reilly, circa 1966-1975

6.   “Patent Forms,” circa 1972

7.  Johnson’s United States patent, 3,860,202; Method and Apparatus For Dispensing Granular Material From Aircraft, January 14, 1975

8.  Patent information is regards to Johnson’s Map Vending Machine, 1975-1977

9.  Newspaper clippings, magazine articles, and manuscripts concerning aviation history, 1976-1988 [the manuscripts are original copies and may have been written by Johnson, no notations to verify]

10.  Tank Design Guide for Fire Retardant Aircraft, by D.H. Swanson and A.D. Luedecke, Honeywell, Inc., September, 1978

11.  The Antiques and the Classics: A portfolio of fine aviation photographs, by William B. Bullock, © 1979 [signed by author]

12.  Folder labeled, “Duplicates – Wilkinson – RALCO,” 1979-1983 [deals with a lien on a house]

13.  Memory Engines, Historical Reference Handbook, The Venerable Curtiss OX-5 from the cradle of aviation, 1980

14.  Correspondence from the Order of Daedalians, Ft. Warren Flight #54, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, in regards to Johnson becoming an honorary member, 1982 and two issues of The Fort Warren Express, February 1984 and December 1984

15.  OX5 News, Published by and for Members of the OX5 Aviation Pioneers, December, 1984 – December, 1995 [does not include all issues in the time period]

16.  OX5 News, Published by and for Members of the OX5 Aviation Pioneers, February 1996 – October, 1997 [does not include all issues in the time period]

17.  For the Record: Official publication of the National Aeronautic Association, May-June, 1991

18.  OX5 Aviation Pioneers, 30^th, 36^th, 37^th, 42^nd  annual reunions, 1985, 1991, 1992, 1997 [4 brochures listing members, some biographical information and event information]

19.  OX5 Aviation Pioneers, membership roster booklet, 1992

20.  39^th Annual Reunion, “Engine O-X5, This is the one that made it all possible,” Van Nuys, California, 1994

21.  OX5 Aviation Pioneers and Silver Wings Fraternity of Arizona, 1993 – April 2001, includes membership rosters for 1991, 1993 and Board of Governors for 1992 [does not include every issue during this time period]

22.  National Aeronautic Association, membership directory, 1997

23.  43^rd Annual Reunion, San Diego, California, 1998

24.  Correspondence and programs from Johnson being awarded the “Mr. OX5 Award,” 1998 and induction into the OX5 Aviation Pioneer Hall of Fame, 2000

25.  OX5 News, Published by and for Members of the OX5 Aviation Pioneers, February, 2000 – October 2002 [does not include all issues in the time period]

Box 8: Artifacts, circa 1940s-2006

Item

1.  Flight bag, circa 1940s

2.  Flight plan log, circa 1940s [indicates time period as test pilot]

3.  Plaque presented to Ralph S. Johnson – “To mark with congratulations and well-wishing the sixty-fifth anniversary of your graduation from the University” April 23, 1995 [Purdue University]

4.  Plaque presented to Johnson, “a pioneer in aviation,” by the Arizona Hall of Fame, 2006

5.  Miscellaneous notebooks, 3” x 5”, includes one with “Baltimore Colts” on the front, no dates [in artifact box on bottom of box, miscellaneous notations by Johnson]

Box 6: Aeronautical and Miscellaneous Publications, 1929-2009

Item

1.  Debris Volume XLI (1929).  Lafayette, Indiana: The Senior Class of Purdue University.

2.  Leather-bound binder inscribed with R.S. Johnson on the front, contains information on pressure patterns existing in front of a jet engine, circa 1950s

3.   Agricultural Aircraft Operations information, 1962-1964 [folder 1]

4.   Agricultural Aircraft Operations information, 1965-1966 [folder 2]

5.  United Flying Octogenarians (UFO) correspondence in regards to membership, membership certificate and U-F-O- News, April, 1992-October 1993

6.  Server, Dean (1996).  The Golden Age of Steam.  New York, New York: SMITHMARK Publishers.

7.  Caoimh, Fia O. (2006).  The Aviation Book: A survey of the world’s aircraft.  San Francisco, California: Chronicle Books LLC.

8.  rupanews: Journal of the Retired United Pilots Association, July, 2009 – December 2009 [does not include every issue during that time period]

Box 7: Day Planners, Notebooks, Pilot Logs, Flight Records, 1930-1968

Item

1.  Pilot’s Book, Air Corps, United States Army, 1930-1936 [includes Johnson’s grades from The Air Corps Advanced Flying School and application for extended active duty with a tactical unit of the Air Corps]

2.  Pilot’s Book, Air Corps, United States Army, 1933-1936 [includes log of pilot’s pay and expense voucher]

3.   “Branch of the Department of Commerce, Improved Pilot’s Log,” 1939

4.  Pilot’s Training Log, 1942 [from United Air Lines]

5.  Pilot Flight Record and Log Book, 1953-1954

6.  Flight Record, 1960-1981

7.  Spiral bound notebook, 4” x 6 ¼”, 1939-1940 [includes various notations]

8.  Bound notebook, 5” x 7 ¾ ”, 1941-1945 [includes engineering designs by Johnson with notations on the design ideas]

9.  Bound notebook, 4” x 6 ¼”, 1944-1945 [includes reflections by Johnson and various notations]

10.  Notebook, 4” x 6 ¼”, 1954 [includes various notations, cover off, but 1954 appears in book]

11.  Bound notebook, 5” x 7 ¾ ”, 1958-1968 [includes engineering designs by Johnson with notations on the design ideas]

12.  Day planner, spiral bound notebook, 5 ½” x 8 ¼”, 1960

13.  Day planner, bound notebook, 2 ¾” x 4”, 1966

14.  Spiral bound notebook, 6” x 9”, 1967-1969 [includes stock and life insurance information]

15. Day planner, bound notebook, 2 ¾” x 4”, 1967

16.  Day planner, spiral bound notebook, 5 ½” x 8 ¼”, 1971

17.  Day planner, bound notebook, 3 ½” x 5 ¾ ”, 1974 [three, one labeled “telephone calls and aerial applicators”]

18.  Day planner, bound notebooks, 3 ½” x 5 ¾ ” and 7” x 9”, 1975

19.  Day planner, spiral bound notebooks, 5 ¼” x 8”, 1975 [two]

20.  Day planner, bound notebooks, 3 ¼” x 6 ½”, 1976

21.  Day planner, spiral bound notebooks, 5 ¼” x 8”, 1979

22.  Day planner, bound notebooks, 7” x 9”, 1981

23.  Day planner, bound notebooks, 7” x 9”, 1982

24.  Day planner, spiral bound notebooks, 5 ¼” x 8”, 1984-1985 [two]

25.  Day planner, spiral bound notebook, 5 ¼” x 8”, 1988-1990

26.  Business card file and address book, circa 1980s

Box 9: Artifacts, circa 1930s-2008

Item

1.  Small box containing numerous business cards, membership cards, name tags from events Johnson attended, pilot’s license, name plates, small slide rule, small bag of tools, small paperweight with book encased in it; “Overthrust Oil Royalty Corporation,” PIMA Air and Space Museum scarf and “autodex” address book, circa 1930s-1990s

2.  Hood [black and gold] received when Johnson received his honorary doctorate from Purdue University, 2008

3.  Artifact box containing flight goggles, calculator, compass kit, C-54 Natops abbreviated cockpit checklist, various medals including Aviation Hall of Fame, wing pins, coordinators (M-100 and M-100-1) and pieces of ore, no date

4.  Plastic sign, “Wyoming’s Lousiest Shot,” undated

5.  Rulers and plastic radius tools, undated

Box 10: Photo Albums and Scrapbooks, 1978-2008

Item

1.  Album, “Tent Caterpillar Project,” Clayton, New Mexico, July 1978 [includes photographs of project with notation: 14 twin engine aircraft, 4 single engine aircraft]

2.  Family photo album, circa 1980s-1990s [features some of Ruth’s certificates and awards]

3.  Album featuring Johnson’s National Aeronautic Association Elder Statesman of Aviation award, 1991 [contains many letters of congratulations]

4.   Album from events surrounding Johnson’s honorary doctorate from Purdue University, 2008 [contains photographs of Johnson with President Cordova and other Purdue faculty]

Box 11: Photo Albums, 1924-1960s

Item

1.  Family, Purdue and Post-Purdue Album, 1924-circa 1930s [includes various Purdue photographs, dance and event memorabilia]

2.  “Pictures and story of my trip to and eight months training as a flying cadet, at March Field, Riverside, California, June 22, 1930 – June 22, 1931” [very descriptive text by Johnson]

3.  Album containing certificate of commissioning as 2^nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Corps, June 26, 1931; enlistment record, June 16, 1930; honorable discharge, post training, June 30, 1931; letters of recommendation, since there was not a position for Johnson in the military after completion of training; aerial shots of different military fields in early 1930s

4.  Photo album containing impressive aerial shots taken during Johnson’s Air Corp training, includes aerial shot over Chicago’s Soldier Field during construction, clippings about Muncie Airport’s Sikorsky amphibian on passenger service between Lake Wawasee and Chicago World’s Fair, where Johnson was employed, post Air Corps training, circa 1930s

5.  Photo album, “Graduating at March Field,” Riverside, California, 1931 [includes certificate of graduation and program from graduation exercises, includes incredible aerial shots taken over major cities and air fields during training and bomber formation shots, program from visiting United States Air Corps, commemorating the dedication of the New York City Municipal Airport, Floyd Bennett Field, May 27, 1931]

6.  Scrapbook containing photographs and clippings from Johnson’s early career, circa late 1930s-1940s

7.  Album, United Air Lines – Pacific Operations, WWII, circa 1940’s [gift from Johnson’s colleague, not original photographs]

8.  Photographs of converted cargo planes, Master Equipment Company, Cheyenne, Wyoming (where Johnson was an employee) and clippings dealing with aerial grasshopper spraying, fire ants and forest fire extermination, for which Johnson played a big role, circa 1950s-1960s

Box 12: Photographs, circa 1930s-2000s

Folder

1.  Photographs of Ralph, Ruth, family, friends, a vacation to Yellowstone and miscellaneous photos, circa 1930s-2010 [includes Ralph’s memorial booklet]

2.  Photographs of colleagues, some with Ralph, 1930s-2000s

3.  Box of negatives relating to “All-Weather Flight Methods,” and folder containing photographs and text, along with photos of ice accumulations/tests, circa 1940-1942

4.  Photographs of airplane parts, circa 1930s-1960s [folder 1]

5.  Photographs of airplane parts, circa 1930s-1960s [folder 2]

6.  Photographs of air fields and aerial shots, circa 1940s-1960s [folder 1]

7.  Photographs of air fields and aerial shots, circa 1940s-1960s [folder 2]

8.  Photographs of airplanes, circa 1930s-1990s [folder 1]

9.  Photographs of airplanes, circa 1930s-1990s [folder 1]

10.  Box containing miscellaneous negatives, Sony recorder,  cassette tape marked, “Ralph Johnson Memoirs: How hired at United,” dated June, 1, 1988, circa 1940s-1980s

Box 13: Awards, Certificates and Airplane Photograph, circa 1950s-2006

Folder

1.  Photograph of Fairchild C82 aircraft on a spray run near Kay Cee, Wyoming, 10 ½” x 14”, circa 1950s

2.  The Secretary of Commerce Regional Export Expansion Council certificate, July 1, 1969-June 30, 1971

3.  The Board of Directors of the National Aeronautic Association Elder Statesman of Aviation award certificate, October 29, 1991

4.  The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award by the Flight Safety Foundation, presented to Captain Ralph S. Johnson, 2005

5.  “Goodland native, 100, is ‘part of history of flight,” encased and enlarged column, June 26, 2006

6.  Film negative, “From the desk of Ralph S. Johnson,” undated

Box 14: Awards, Certificates and Photo Boards, circa 1950s-2010

Folder

1.  Photograph of Johnson, 10 ½” x 14” circa 1950s

2.  Framed certificate, “The President of the United States presents this certificate of appreciation to Ralph S. Johnson for support of the National Program to bring about a New Prosperity,” signed Richard Nixon, October 1, 1971

3.  Framed copy of the Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame award, 11” x 8 1/2”, 1995

4.  Governor’s Proclamation of “Captain Ralph S. Johnson Day”– Dave Freudenthal, Wyoming, June 26, 2006

5.  Photo board to commemorate Johnson on his 100^th birthday, June 24, 2006

6.  Photo board “Celebrating Ralph S. Johnson, 1906-2010”

Item 1: Flight techniques, 1944

8 mm film

Item 2: Plane design drawings, 1945

Housed in a tube

Item 3: Jackson Hole Wildlife, undated

8 mm film