Historical Aviation Album: Collector's All-American Series (Volume XVIII), 1987, 1986-12

Document Type: Periodical (Historical Study).

Purpose: Informational.

Authority: Author Expertise.

Document Number: Collector's Series (aka "All American Series") Volume XVIII (dated 1987). This is the last volume in the series, published shortly before Mr. Matt died in 1987.

Scope: This book was produced (written and illustrated) and published in 1987 by Paul R. Matt for readers interested in the history of American aviation, especially model builders. It was edited by Kenn C. Rust with editorial and production assistance of Thomas G. Foxworth.

The book includes articles about specific airplanes, as well as other biographical and historical information related to aviation. Each article consists of pages of text and photographs and two or more pages of detailed three-view or four-view scale drawings of the aircraft from the top / bottom view(s) and side view(s).

The front cover includes a full-color photograph of "Jeannie Hill and her Taylor J-2 Cub."

From the front matter: "WE URGE YOU: ...to caption your pictures. Whether they be of a personal, family or individual interest, put some sort of note on the back or border of the print or transparency, even if it's just a date. The names of people in the picture are also important. Over the years we have dealt with hundreds of historic pictures, many dating back eighty years and we never cease to be amazed at the lack of captioning. One of the largest collections of old photos in the United States is the National Archives and yet 90% of the prints procured from them have such weak captioning that further research is always needed to correctly relate the facts behind the photo. It is equally frustrating to see so many mis-captioned, especially the date. The military branches are particularly guilty of mis-information when it comes to photos and their filing numbers are all screwed up. When one orders a picture of an F6F Hellcat and gets a picture of a hotel in Algiers, it becomes rather discouraging.

It isn't necessary to write a short story on or about the picture but your impression of the subject matter should be noted. Those of us who acquired or have taken, even what seemed at the time, insignificant snapshots, should make a note right away. Many in the past have left behind valuable photographs that we use and cherish today but we are here now and in due course we too must pass our photos on for use and enjoyment in the future. Will the next generation know a Piper Cub from an Aeronca if we don't make notations while we can? Most lay persons and indeed many leading editors and publishers still think that any yellow airplane is a Cub.

And that brings up this issue of the Album series. We wanted a couple of good, plain, ordinary pictures of a standard Piper J-3 Cub in the era of production. It was difficult to come up with the few we have presented here. We all know the a The Cub was so common, so familiar at local airports that few bothered to photograph one -- as if the J-3 would be around forever.

In the 1920s and '30s, even the 1940s, few aviation enthusiasts could afford the cost of a camera much less the film and processing. I know I couldn't. When we come across personal pictures that were taken during that era we are elated.

We're not all professional photographers and no picture should be rejected because it is a little dark, light, fuzzy or doesn't come up to the standards of Ansel Adams. People in the pictures add life to the subject, helps relate shape, size and dress of the era. There are only a few major private collections of airplane pictures around. Most of us have a few file folders or family albums with airplane them. Few will ever be published but that does not diminish the value or importance of the photograph. A picture is proof that such existed, its shape, size and form. They're invaluable when talking or writing about the subject. It gives background to facts.

When an event takes place, especially if it is of some significance, there is a tendency to believe that somehow the affair will automatically be recorded in the history books, everyone all over the world will have known about it and the when, where, whys will be forever remembered. Don't trust to memory. The most casual means something to someone. Caption your pictures." [signed Paul R. matt]

Contents: Includes articles about: - CURTISS B-2 CONDOR BOMBER (written by Sears McCorrison and Paul Matt) - CURTISS B-20 CONDOR TRANSPORT (written by Sears McCorrison and Paul Matt) - CURTISS F9C-2 SPARROWHAWK (written by Harold Andrews) - TAYLOR/PIPER CUBS (written by Paul R. Matt) - Biography of ALFRED V. VERVILLE (written by Paul R. Matt)

Scale Drawings - CURTISS B-2 "Condor". - CURTISS B-20 "Condor" - CURTISS F9C-2 "Sparrowhawk" - TAYLOR E-2 "Cub". - TAYLOR J-2 "Cub" - PIPER J-3 "Cub" - PIPER J-4 "Cub Coupe"

Cover: Coasting to a stop with the A-40 Continental still ticking away, Jeannie Hill climbs out of Taylor J-2 Cub NC 17854. She and her husband, Dick, restored the 1937 Cub in 1980. It took just three months to complete the plane to original condition. This particular J-2 was one of the last Cubs out of the Bradford, Penna. factory before the fire in March 1937. The Hills also have an original 1933 E-2 Cub and keep them flying at their north Illinois farm. Photo by Dick Hill