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The Personal Collection of Henry White
SDASM.015
SDASM.015
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Title: The Papers of Henry James White (1892-1962)
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.015
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.8 Linear feet
2 manuscript boxes
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1939-1953
Date (inclusive): 1936-1956
Abstract: This is a collection of the personal papers of Henry White. White was an early pilot and instructed Charles Lindbergh in seaplane
flight. White also worked as a translator, notably on Wernher von Braum's "Life on Mars".
creator:
White, Henry J., 1892-1962
An early pilot in 1911, Henry White of Baltimore instructed the famed Charles Lindbergh in seaplane operations. He served
as a salesman and flight instructor for Lockheed and as a test pilot and sales manager for the Sikorky Company. A linguist,
White served also served as a translator for Wernher von Braun and helped with his novel, The Mars Project and Life On Mars.
White was an appointee to the Naval Academy in Annapolis and qualified as a pilot at just 19 years of age, becoming one of
the youngest aviators of the time. He was also a United States Naval seaplane pilot. He was the test pilot for Sikorsky’s
giant amphibian which weighed about 9,000 pounds. He set an unofficial altitude record with passenger load when he flew to
a height of 18,500 feet with nine people on board. He was also the test pilot for the self-landing plane, which was a success
in his demonstrations to the public.
Conditions Governing Access note
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
This is a collection of the personal papers of Henry James White. The collection includes his 1926 Aviator’s certificate,
his Department of Commerce Mechanic’s License, correspondence to and from Igor Sikorsky, correspondence to and from Wernher
von Braun, miscellaneous correspondence, and copies of Wernher von Braun’s work that have been translated and edited by White.
[Item], [Collection], Archive, San Diego Air & Space Museum
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Sikorsky, Igor Ivan, 1889-1972
von Braum, Wernher, 1912-1977