By Mary A. Sego, 2009
Title: Ralph S. Johnson papers, 1935-2008
Primary Creator: Johnson, Ralph S. (1906-2010)
Extent: 14.2 Cubic feet. More info below.
Arrangement:
The papers are arranged into five series.
[Series 1: Engineering Drawings, Papers, Articles, DVD, 1941-1948], [Series 2: Newspaper Clippings, Ceritificate, Honorary Doctorate of Engineering, 1992-2008], [Series 3: Memoirs and Biographical Information, 1941-2005], [Series 4: Photographs, ca. 1930-2005], [Series 5: Addendum - January 5, 2012],
Date Acquired: 05/09/2008
Subjects: Aerospace engineering, Airplanes--Piloting, Flight Archives at Purdue University, Purdue University--Alumni and alumnae, United Air Lines
Forms of Material: Articles, Black-and-white photographs, Clippings (Information artifacts), Color photographs, Personal papers
Languages: English
Aerospace engineering
Airplanes--Piloting
Flight Archives at Purdue University
Purdue University--Alumni and alumnae
United Air Lines
Repository: Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections
Alternate Extent Statement: 1 mss box, 11 cubic foot boxes, 2 flat boxes
Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.
Use Restrictions: Purdue University, per deed of gift.
Acquisition Source: Ralph S. Johnson
Acquisition Method: Donation.
Preferred Citation: MSA 25, Ralph S. Johnson papers, Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries
Finding Aid Revision History: Revised by Mary Sego, 2012; EW 10/2012
Other URL: http://collections.lib.purdue.edu/fa/pdf/johnson_r.pdf
Folder
1. “Pilot Qualifications,” RALCO, 1966-1973
2. Department of the Air Force, Headquarters 90th 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 13th Annual Meeting and Technical Display Incorporating the Forum on the Future of Air Transportation, includes correspondence]
18. focus, 509th 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 70th 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 50th 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, 49th 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 100th 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, 69th anniversary, congratulations on induction into Arizona Hall of Fame and 100th birthday, 2006
46. Calendars with notations, 2008-2009
47. Diploma; Honorary Doctorate and program from Purdue University’s 204th Commencement, spring 2008
48. Certificate in folder, “Ralph S. Johnson, In Recognition of Your 103rd 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
