San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive

Hello, this is Alan from the San Diego Air and Space Museum. I am very glad that you are enjoying the images we are posting on Flickr. We have just started the process and are working out ironing out some of the kinks. We had some trouble uploading a few images and getting them to line up with inventory list, so please let us know if something is wrongly identified. We have a new process to digitize images, which lets us do several 100 per day, so look for us to upload more images as we go along. If you would like to see something that we have not digitized yet, you can email me arenga@sdasm.org and we will work on it.

We debated whether or not to post hi res images of the photos on the site. We are a non profit, and the main (almost sole) source of income for the Library and Archives is our sale of photos and usage fees to the public. We are worried that if we post hi res images, people would not adhere to the copyright restrictions, and we would lose this income. We will see how things go and might reconsider this. However, all the images on the flickr site are also available in high resolution...you can find details about the usage/price here: http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/collections/collection_index.php?id=3

Thanks!
 
Thats correct - but I would suggest a little bit larger scan but still well short of the size needed for printing might be possible.

As for this site, we love unbuilt and prototype aircraft, so scans of any weird stuff like that would be very welcome.

Also there are quite a few mistakes - what is the best way for us to send them?
 
GREAT news. It appears SDASM photo archive has been accepted into Flickr's "The Commons" section. They have posted over 130 pages of new photos, but even better, unlike the photos they have posted in the past, these latest photos are of much higher resolution.

I'd describe what has been newly posted, but I am too busy drooling. ;D

Additionally, the great thing about The Commons is not only the material posted by various different institutions, but the comments added by Flickr members about what is depicted (even "history detective"-type work). In addition, the tags that are added to the images which add a ton to their accessibility and usefulness.

I would strongly encourage anyone here to add comments and tag the photos with relevant information (name of aviator depicted, name of aircraft, official designations, locations, aircraft registrations and/or identities, etc.), given the fact that SDASM and these other institutions do not have the means to do so on their own, and often do not have the depth of knowlege that many of those here posses.

Here's a link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/
 
I liked the Firebolt, Compass Arrow, and F-106 arrester videos.
 
I have ceased browsing these galleries as there doesn't seem to be any easy access to the new additions. Browsing hundreds of pages in a row is really painful. If there was a monthly index of the new additions (however basic), that would make it a lot easier.
 
Stargazer2006 said:
I have ceased browsing these galleries as there doesn't seem to be any easy access to the new additions. Browsing hundreds of pages in a row is really painful. If there was a monthly index of the new additions (however basic), that would make it a lot easier.
Click to expand...


The amount of material SDASM has posted is staggering!


I've tried to contribute a bit to the utility and accessibility of the photos by personally adding tags, comments, and notes where ever I can in altering fits of boredom and obsession. :p Echoing my earlier post, I would ask that those on this forum with any sort of spare time and knowledge to not necessarily make a concerted effort, but perhaps in your spare time to give the SDASM's photos (link) a look over and do the same. It can be of great benefit to not only the folks over at the SDASM, but to anyone with interest in aviation and its history.


In that spirit, there's the most recently posted photo collection of early aviator Harold D. "Harry" Kantner (Link: SDASM - Harold D. Kantner Photo Collection). Kantner led a long and varied career in aviation, starting at the Moisant School on Long Island in 1911, and doing a whole lot in between, before retiring from Convair in 1961.


With the help of those here (and elsewhere around the world? :eek: ) there is hopefully an answer to identifying a flying boat triplane that was flown by Kantner and owned by the founder of Continental Motors, Ross W. Judson. The aircraft started as a specially built version of the Curtiss Model F Flying Boat for Judson, with a third wing ("Judson Triplane" / "Curtiss-Judson Triplane" / "Curtiss-Judson Flying Boat"). The aircraft was reportedly delivered in 1917, then modified after World War I ("Judson-Kantner Triplane"), and then - to add another complication - it was modified once more into biplane configuration. There have been only a handful of photos and information concerning the aircraft available on the web and in published books, and there doesn't seem to be any consensus as to its origins, evolution, or even proper name! Well, maybe that can change. With the most recent postings by the SDASM, there are now well over 60 photos of this very hard to pin down aircraft available for viewing and maybe finally sleuthing out its story.


Here are the three iterations of the aircraft:
Original Configuration
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/6335848372/
6335848372_bca9d76d33.jpg



Post-WWI configuration:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/6335070187/
6335070187_d4688fc1fc.jpg



Final Biplane configuration:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/6335039209/in/photostream
6335039209_b855f7fef4.jpg



Just from looking around the various resources, it seems this (or should I say "these"?) aircraft are still a riddle. Maybe these recently posted photos from the Kantner collection can help solve it?
 
Wow. See? That's what's frustrating about the SDASM Archive. There are thousands of amazing pics in there but no way to easily find your way through it. Being a real Curtiss buff and flying boat lover, I'm thrilled at the sight of these pics... Thanks for sharing and for the additional info.

However, I'm pretty puzzled here: We have two very different triplane flying boats that qualify as the "Judson" depending on the sources. I'm enclosing some pics here and you can see that there is NOTHING in common beside the triplane configuration. Yet both have been said to be the "Judson". The one that also appears as a biplane in your pic selection is said to be the "Judson" in the book excerpt I'm attaching below, yet its shape is nowhere near what the "Judson" is supposed to be, i.e. based on an Curtiss F (contrary to the other triplane, given as the "Judson" by Aerofiles, which looks the part)...

Quite a mystery, isn't it? :-\
 

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The good folks over at the San Diego Air & Space Museum (SDASM) Archives on Flickr have posted a new set of photos of aircraft that they need some help with identifying. Some have been identified and would be pretty easy for many to identify here, however there are at least one or two head-scratchers in the bunch.


I was hoping some here could take a look and provide some info over at Flickr.


Here's the set:
Aircraft Which Need Identification
 
Nice uploads for the month February so far.
Mostly Teledyne Ryan UAV's & Drones ... :)
 
Hi,


also the Ryan Vertifan aircraft.
 

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133 new pictures uploaded on March 8th, 2013.
Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/archives/date-posted/2013/03/08/
 
Interesting image among those recently posted by the San Diego Air & Space Museum (SDASM) on their Flickr photostream. It appears to be a re-purposing of their VSX (S-3) proposal mock-up as a nominal "Space Shuttle" cockpit.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/29523927802/
29523927802_11b9302493.jpg

Here's a link to the Convair VSX images in the same photostream for comparison:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?sort=interestingness-desc&safe_search=1&text=vsxproposal&view_all=1
 
Yet another interesting image recently posted by the San Diego Air & Space Museum (SDASM) at their Flickr site. It is a General Dynamics - Convair Division presentation slide entitled "SATSLAM System."

It features what appears to be an ICBM launched in one direction apparently being detected by a satellite, which is communicating with a ground station at the "target", which in turn is communicating with a ballistic missile sub that has apparently launched an ABM toward the ICBM. The caption accompanying the slide states, "Title:GD/Astronautics Charts Details: SatSlam System - Slide for Presentation Date: 11/21/1967."

Googled "SATSLAM" like crazy. Only hit I got was Googling "SATSLAM" and "submarine" which led to five "hits" - all on Russian-language glossary pages(for lack of a better description). (https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=%22SatSLAM%22+%22submarine%22)

There "Satellite-Tracked Submarine Launched Antmissile" comes up for the acronym.

Again, perhaps my Googling-skills are weak, but I did find it interesting that the only legitimate hits I got for the acronym were on a handful of Russian-language web-pages. In fact, if there's one site I thought where the system and/or it's acronym would be found, would be here! :D

Anyway, here's the image:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/29014019213/
29014019213_388e0ab1c2_b.jpg
 
There were a few interesting ideas of different deployments of ABM systems at that time (inter-service rivalry). 1967 fits in with SABMIS (http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,8305.0.html) which according AWST (July 17,1967) was to a initially be a surface based system with eventual submarine launched interceptors. A Polaris based ASAT system was also being pursued as well even earlier (AWST Sep 28, 1964).

The USAF also had proposals to use Minuteman missiles as an ABM system as well (AWST March 31, 1969), even to the point of having C-5s on airborne alert as an ABM system.

However, this is a topic for other threads. The slide is an interesting find.
 
A couple of very interesting images added to the SDASM's Flickr Commons collection today. The description for the side-view of the model in the photo is incorrect, however, the adjacent photo in the collection with a head on view describes the model as, "Model Aerojet; Plastic Space Plane Date: 07/09/1962". The name on the model stand for the side-view describes the model as "Aerospace Plane."

As best as I can glean from the two photos of the model, it appears to be mixed-propulsion, with intakes aft along either side, presumably for the air-breathing portion of flight, plus what appears to possibly be provision for retractable canards on the nose.

This design doesn't ring any bells with me, it may even be a nominal representation of an "Aerospace Plane" concept, but I figure many here may have a better idea (if so, moderators please move to the most appropriate topic).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/33507549292/
33507549292_01b67a22db_z.jpg

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/33280381880/
33280381880_91fa1c1faf_z.jpg
 
Boxman said:
This design doesn't ring any bells with me, it may even be a nominal representation of an "Aerospace Plane" concept,
Click to expand...

It's one of the Convair designs for the aptly-named "Aerospace Plane" program, a USAF program to develop an airbreathing reusable launch system.
 
Unfortunately, the captions for many of the the recently uploaded batch of photos are somewhat screwed up. For example, there's a sweet pic of an Atlas BGRV lifting off, but it's captioned as a "test rig", a space station concept is captioned as a solar-powered vehicle, and so on.
 
Below are a number of intriguing photos posted by the San Diego Air & Space Museum (SDASM) Archives at their Flickr site. They belong to the Robert Reedy Collection.

Here is Reedy's brief bio as described by the SDASM:
"Robert Reedy was a native of Amarillo Texas. He attended college in Wichita Kansas, studying aeronautical engineering. On graduation he was quickly snapped up by Stearman Aircraft. During his subsequent career he made stops at Lockheed, Thorp and back to Lockheed where he retired as a vice president of sales. Reedy was involved in the design of several Stearman, Vega and Thorp types, the Lockheed P2V, Little Dipper, Big Dipper, and L-1011..."

Among the photos in the Reedy collection are a number captioned as the Cessna CR-1 (reg. NR/NX 11717), and dated (via the SDASM description for each) as being taken in "Jan 1930". Despite the description and registration number, I have yet to find any other photos of such an aircraft in this specific configuration (enclosed cockpit aft of the wing trailing edge, shoulder-mounted wing, retractable landing gear, registration "11717"). The best information I can find is that after a single harrowing first flight by Clyde Cessna, the aircraft was deemed too dangerous to fly and re-built into the CR-2. Here is a SDASM photo of the Cessna CR-2:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/27137787416/
27137787416_d5be0fa6b6.jpg


Here is how the Cessna CR-2 is described in the article authored by Bob Hirsch, "Cessna and Air Racing's Golden Age" (American Aviation Historical Society (AAHS) Journal, Vol. 29 (1984), Page 296, 304), "This is a stretched version of the CR-1 which was about 2 feet, 8 Inches shorter. It Is not known If the CR-1 actually flew or was redesigned during construction. There are no public photos of it."

So, here are the photos in question, might these be photos of the Cessna CR-1 as originally constructed? if so, these may be the only known photos of it prior to its reconstruction into the CR-2. Can anyone confirm?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/27169387065/
27169387065_3364f5cb1e_z.jpg

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/26563569034/
26563569034_bcc45cfe78_z.jpg

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/26565110913/
26565110913_0a0ea25bcd_z.jpg

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/26565112283/
26565112283_f46c57fe49_z.jpg

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/27074429542/
27074429542_d90f68dbf7_z.jpg
 
Interesting Update showing Ryan projects at SDAaSM Flickr Archive.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/
Examples:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/34335509191/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/34457134165/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/34336285401/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/33658140773/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/34427089876/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/34427196456/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/34427470366/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/34084089740/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/34428046906/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/33627738634/
Too late this evening to post them as attachments in the suitable topics.
 
Here's one at the SDASM Flickr site that I can't put a finger on. Perhaps it is related to the Ryan 147 S-2?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/33697614023/
33697614023_38a5044a99.jpg


Here's a swing-wing (airliner?) concept with the name "National" on the tail. Reminiscent of how the original National Airlines (NAL) used to have "National" on the S-duct of their Boeing 727 fleet and the base of the vertical stab of their two Boeing 747 aircraft.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/33549078134/
33549078134_463ce3c8c2.jpg
 
Apparently that first one was from 1966. :eek:
 
New Update at SDAaSM Flickr Archive showing mockup and early production of the Convair 240.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/
 
fightingirish said:
SDASM Archives said:
Flaunt Fleet Air Ultra Naval transport sitting 25 above waves on rsbs retractable spar buoy stabilizer concept and design by Thomas P. Faulconer artist Joe Ferrara date 1985 includes plaque and article by designer on back
Click to expand...
Link:
https://flic.kr/p/Z1XwJm
Dear mods, please feel free to move this post to a suitable topic. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing!
I kindly suggest use the topic https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,21556.msg213377.html#msg213377, as a place for this picture.
Those "concept" thrilled me for a years, and only aafter I see this image I think about the size of FLAUNT. Is vessel such dimensions, greater then some ocean ships requires any additional means to swim in rough waves? Of course, the tasks to take-off and landing remains the most complex and author, IMHO, found an elegant solution.
 
Some more interesting images posted today on the SDASM Flickr Commons site as part of their Robert Kemp Collection (https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/albums/72157691203954561/page6). Kemp was Convair/General Dynamics' chief illustrator.

What's going on here? Looks like a very Soviet satellite (possible return capsule?) of some type sending a signal to/from a relay satellite (of what appears American manufacture) and then to/from Russia, but that satellite is also apparently sending a signal to/from the United States. Part of the generic caption is "Advanced Space Systems." Plus, the ephemeral "lobes."
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/33154064078/
33154064078_34eeeb9d0d.jpg


Then there this balloon-lifted (SIGINT?/ELINT?) array. Again, with an "Advanced Space Systems" partial file name.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/40064500013/
40064500013_f28b9bbe50.jpg


This one is much less a mystery, but I thought it might be of interest of some here. As per portions of its file name - "Advanced Space Systems . . . EML Electro Magnetic Launch to space"
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/33154068728/
33154068728_7416837867_z.jpg
 
More interesting images posted as part of the Robert Kemp Collection by the San Diego Air & Space Museum (SDASM) Archives on the Flickr Commons.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/albums/72157691203954561/page7
Any additional information on the images posted below (and previously above) is welcomed.

The balloon-lifted array (see prior post above), now being tugged along (to a new location?) by a Sikorsky Skycrane (CH-54 Tarhe).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/33187515388/
33187515388_42d03ab206.jpg


A depiction of a mobile launched Project SLAM / PLUTO nuclear ramjet cruise missile (a.k.a. "The Big Stick.") (Mods, feel free to move to the SLAM/PLUTO forum topic, if more appropriate).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/46338765404/
46338765404_4fe278b85a.jpg


Then there's this compact mystery craft. A proposed parasite or submarine-based fighter? Is it a real or notional aircraft? A figment of the artist's imagination? I haven't any idea what this is.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/46148992415/
46148992415_bf43d0e1d2.jpg
 
Its a GD/Convair design. It was featured on an advert or brochure posted somewhere (maybe here or Facebook?) from the 1970s. I'll try and locate this.
 
PaulMM (Overscan) said:
Its a GD/Convair design. It was featured on an advert or brochure posted somewhere (maybe here or Facebook?) from the 1970s. I'll try and locate this.
Click to expand...

From my files,maybe this help my dear Paul.
 

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PaulMM (Overscan) said:
Yep that's it - I just can't find the topic ???
Click to expand...

Here it's my dear Paul,I made a big search;

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,30622.msg333882.html#msg333882
 
The San Diego Air & Space Museum (SDASM) Archives have just posted a mother lode of three-views, blueprints, illustrations, etc. of various Consolidated/Convair, Brewster, Boeing, Curtiss, Douglas, Grumman, Lockheed, Tucker(!), etc., projects (built and unbuilt) roughly dating from the 1930s-1950s.

If I had the time, I'd list them all - but it is pretty overwhelming.

Take a look for yourselves. Note, as more photos/images are posted to their site, the further back they will move. Unfortunately, they haven't been posted as a distinct set.

EDIT - Looks like these images have been disappeared. :(
Here's the link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/page1

Here are some examples. These are from the "Convair A-44 design study":
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/46190090335
https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7892/46190090335_9ec06cec35_b.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/40139141943
https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7904/40139141943_caf210e31b_b.jpg
 

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