This collection consists articles, correspondence, photographs, logs and scrapbooks chronicling Tex Settles' historic balloon flights.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of the official National Aeronautics Association (NAA) log of the 1933 Gordon Bennett International Balloon Race in which T. G. W. Settle, flying with C. H. Kendall, placed second; correspondence with the NAA regarding records set by Settle; two articles by Settle, "Winning a Balloon Race" and "The Gordon Bennett Race, 1932;" a binder of Settle Flight Reports, 1927-1933; thirteen black and white photographs of Settle, his family, officers of the USS Los Angeles (ZR-3), Roland Mayer, Dr. Karl Arnstein, Wilfred Bushnell, and Ward T. Van Orman at such events as the 1932 and 1933 Gordon Bennett Races and Settle's flight, in a Lippisch Prüfling (Examination) glider, from the USS Los Angeles to Anacostia, Washington, DC. Also included are several photocopies relating to Settle's illustrious career, part of an article on the 1998 Naval Aviation Hall of Honor inductees (of which Settle was one); an article by J. Gordon Vaeth entitled, "When the Race for Space Began;" and two green 16 by 11.5 inch scrapbooks, entitled Stratosphere Flight Scrapbook, First and Second Campaign, that contain newspaper articles, correspondence, photographs and telegrams relating to Settle's historic stratospheric balloon flight.
Arrangement:
Arrangement by type.
Biographical / Historical:
Vice Admiral Thomas Greenhow Williams "Tex" Settle, US Navy, became world famous in the Golden Age of Flight (the nineteen twenties and thirties) after becoming the first person of his time qualified to pilot a free balloon, blimp, glider, and airplane, and to command a rigid airship. Winner of many races and holder of a number of aeronautical records in endurance and altitude, he was also the first American to fly a pressurized cabin into the stratosphere. He served aboard both the USS Shenandoah (ZR-1) and the USS Los Angeles (ZR-3). Tex Settle twice received the Harmon Trophy for Aeronautics and, for his service in World War II, was awarded the Navy Cross, Legion of Merit and Bronze Star.
Provenance:
J. Gordon Vaeth, Gift, 2006, NASM.2006.0014
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Thomas G. W. "Tex" Settle Collection, NASM.2006.0014, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Thomas G. W. "Tex" Settle Collection, NASM.2006.0014, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Thomas G. W. "Tex" Settle Collection, NASM.2006.0014, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Thomas G. W. "Tex" Settle Collection, NASM.2006.0014, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Thomas G. W. "Tex" Settle Collection, NASM.2006.0014, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
The Rubye Berau Collection measures 0.18 cubic feet and dates from 1931-1977. The collection materials document Berau's aviation career.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of the following types of material chronicling the aviation career of Rubye Berau: scrapbook pages; photographs, including shots of Berau, Babe Walker Smith, Admiral T. G. W. Settle, Harry Harter, Major Addison, Ray "Kitch" Kitchingman, Jimmy Doolittle, and groups shots of Squadron of Death (S. O. D.) members; newspaper articles; Berau's logbook (1931-1936); Berau's 1935 noncommercial pilot's license; telegram; S.O.D. Emblem; and autographed National Air Race tickets, 1934-1935.
Note: The digital images in this finding aid were repurposed from scans made by an outside contractor for a commercial product and may show irregular cropping and orientation in addition to color variations resulting from damage to and deterioration of the original objects.
Biographical / Historical:
Rubye Berau (1900-1978) was the proprietor of "The Canteen" in Akron, Ohio, when she became interested in aviation. In 1931, she became a member of the Squadron of Death (S.O.D.), an all-woman group of student fliers based at the Akron Airport. The Squadron had thirteen members and met the second Friday of each month and always on a Friday the 13th. Berau completed her training under Ray "Kitch" Kitchingman and received her pilot's license on August 23, 1932. She was part of an act with Babe Smith Walker, where Berau flew the aircraft and Walker was the parachute jumper. Berau also bought an aircraft, flown by Kitchingman, which was used to charter trips. She was a member of the Ninety-Nines.
Provenance:
Robert B. Cooley, Gift, 2004, NASM.2004.0066
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
