Richard Clarence Brookins Personal Papers, bulk bulk

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Summary

Abstract:
Richard C. Brookins was born December 30, 1918 in Glendale, Ca. He graduated Louisiana State University in June of 1941 and went to work as a Srtess Analyst at Lockheed Aviation in Los Angeles. He was selected for flying school a month later, and then joined the 352nd Fighter Wing nicknamed “The Bluenose Bastards of Bodney” by German General Goering. Brookins flew two tours as combat pilot and was shot down twice and had to bail out a total of three times. He flew Spitfires, P-47’s and P-51’s, and always named his planes “The Duchess.” After the war ended, he became a test pilot with the Thunderbirds.
Extent:
1.3 Cubic Feet This is a three box collection, each of different sizes. Three boxes with three different measurements: 15.25 x 12.5 x 5 inches, 15.25 x 10.5 x 5 inches, and 15.25 x 10.5 x 2.5 inches. The collection contains collection contains photos (personal, official, reconnaissance), photo albums and negatives, certificates, scrapbooks, service records, and student pilots logs during training. There was also correspondence - both personal and military – as well as newspaper clippings and artifacts both from WWII and his days at Astronautics and S.A.C., and a few personal mementos.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This is a three box collection, each of different sizes. Three boxes with three different measurements: 15.25 x 12.5 x 5 inches, 15.25 x 10.5 x 5 inches, and 15.25 x 10.5 x 2.5 inches. The collection contains collection contains photos (personal, official, reconnaissance), photo albums and negatives, certificates, scrapbooks, service records, and student pilots logs during training. There was also correspondence - both personal and military – as well as newspaper clippings and artifacts both from WWII and his days at Astronautics and S.A.C., and a few personal mementos.

Biographical / historical:

Richard C. Brookins was born December 30, 1918 in Glendale, Ca. He graduated Louisiana State University in June of 1941 and went to work as a Srtess Analyst at Lockheed Aviation in Los Angeles. He was selected for flying school a month later, and then joined the 352nd Fighter Wing nicknamed “The Bluenose Bastards of Bodney” by German General Goering. Brookins flew two tours as combat pilot and was shot down twice and had to bail out a total of three times. He flew Spitfires, P-47’s and P-51’s, and always named his planes “The Duchess.”

After the war ended, he became a test pilot with the Thunderbirds. Before he retired in 1970, his resume included establishing aircraft maintenance capability for NATO allies, building and testing the missile defense program, and serving as the Inspector General for the Strategic Air Command (SAC) for two years.

After retiring, he moved to San Diego to join Anthony Schools, where he served as CEO and Executive Vice President for ten years. In 1976 he was divorced and was re-married in 1977. He again retired in 1980 and became a full-time Christian Science Practitioner. From 1989 to 1991 he was a Christian Science Lecturer and he was active in 6th Church of Christ, Scientist and later, 4th Church in La Jolla.

Col. Richard C. Brookins passed away on December 7, 2003.

Acquisition information:
The collection was donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Terms of access:

The collection is open to use by appointment. Some copyright may apply.

Location of this collection:
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 234-8291
archives@sdasm.org
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