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Roscoe Turner papers, 1897-1994

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Turner, Roscoe, 1895-1970
Title
Roscoe Turner papers
Dates
1897-1994 (inclusive)
1920-1970 (bulk)
Quantity
91 cubic ft. + painting (196 boxes)
Collection Number
05267
Summary
Roscoe Turner was an early aviator and barn-stormer responsible for piloting the first airplane to fly faster than 300 miles per hour. The collection contains correspondence, promotional materials, and other records pertaining to his air races and aeronautical business ventures.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

Roscoe Turner (1895-1970) was born and raised in Corinth, Mississippi. He learned to fly airplanes in France during World War I while attached to the American Second Army. After the war he ran a flying circus, barnstormed at air shows and state fairs, flew the first flying store and owned the Roscoe Turner Flying Service, 1926-1929. He also did stunt flying in movies. In 1929 he operated Nevada Airlines, the first high speed airline. Roscoe Turner was the only aviator to win the Thompson and Henderson trophies three times and the Harmon Trophy twice. He and Jimmy Doolittle were the only pilots who won both the Thompson and Bendix trophies. In 1929 he was the first person to land an airplane by parachute. He co-designed and flew the first airplane to fly faster than 300 miles per hour. He broke the transcontinental speed record seven times and was known nationally as "The Speed King." During the 1930s he starred in the radio serials "Flying Time" and "Sky Blazers" which had associated clubs for children. He was a national hero to enthusiasts who listened to the air races and his radio programs or read of his exploits in newspapers and magazines. He gained international fame when he placed second in the speed division of the MacRobertson International Air Race from England to Australia in 1934. He was also famous for racing with his pet lion, Gilmore, as copilot. In 1939 he was awarded the American Legion Goddess of Victory Trophy as the outstanding flier of the year, co-starred in the movie Flight At Midnight, retired from racing and founded the Roscoe Turner Aeronautical Corporation in Indianapolis, Indiana. During World War II the corporation trained over 3,500 fliers for the Army Air Corp. He and Jean DuBuque wrote the book Win Your Wings in 1940. From 1941 to 1946 he and Maurice Roddy wrote a column, "Aviation", for the Chicago Times Syndicate. He was a member of the American Legion from its inception and chairman of the National Aeronautic Committee. He was also one of the creators of the Civil Air Patrol and served on its National Executive Board and president of the National Aviation Trades Association for many years. In 1952 Congress awarded Roscoe Turner the Distinguished Flying Cross for his outstanding contributions to the advancement of aerial flight. In 1956 the Federation Aeronautique Internationale awarded him the prestigious Paul Tissandier Diploma for his contribution to private and sport flying. Roscoe Turner was noted for his showmanship, flying skill, and his extraordinary accomplishments during his many years of experimentation to increase aircraft speed and safety. The results of his studies were used in building combat aircraft of the 1940s and 1950s. In 1960 he was appointed a consultant to the House Science and Aeronautics Committee, serving the 86th, 87th and 89th Congresses. Throughout his life he played an active and important part in the development of aviation in the United States.

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Content Description

The Roscoe Turner papers contain information about the evolution of the aviation industry in the United States from 1920 to 1970. The collection includes information about air racing, the MacRobertson International Air Race England to Australia, and files that document the life of Roscoe Turner and his contribution to the development of aeronautics and air safety. There are extensive files of correspondence that give a view of Roscoe Turner's struggle to support his family while earning a living by air racing and experimenting with engines, airplane designs, fuels and oils to increase airplane safety and speed. Also included is information about his commitment to promoting aviation for national defense and private use. There are financial records that provide additional insight into his lifestyle. The biographical information chronicles Roscoe Turner's public life and the importance of his showmanship in raising money to race. The scrapbooks are especially rich in accounts of his flying exploits from 1926 to 1939. The papers also contain information about Gilmore, his pet lion, who flew with him in air races, transcontinental speed record flights, and promotional tours for the Gilmore Oil Company. There are photographs of Roscoe Turner, his family, friends in show business, Gilmore, other famous aviators, air racers, and the national air races. There are files on the American Legion, the National Aviation Training Association, The National Aeronautic Association, and the National Aviation Trades Association, which show how effective these organizations were in promoting aviation and their relationships with government civil air regulatory agencies. The MacRobertson International Air Race England to Australia, called the greatest international air race in history by racing buffs, is extremely well described in files and scrapbooks regarding Roscoe Turner's entry in the race. The files about his major business ventures include the Roscoe Turner Flying Service, Nevada Airlines, Porter Aircraft Corporation, the Salsbury Corporation, and the Roscoe Turner Aeronautical Corporation. There is also material on the radio shows "Flying Time" and "Sky Blazers," which starred Roscoe Turner, and files about his feature roles in the movies "Hell's Angels" and "Flight At Midnight." There are files on Indiana, especially Indianapolis, where the Roscoe Turner Aeronautical Corporation was located. These papers show his interest and involvement in local government, public service associations, and the Indianapolis Municipal Airport. There are also galleys for a newspaper column, "Aviation," (1941-1946) coauthored by Roscoe Turner and Maurice Roddy for the Chicago Times Syndicate.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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Administrative Information

Related Materials

Related Materials

The trophies, plaques and awards won by Roscoe Turner, Gilmore the stuffed pet lion, photographs and papers regarding his racing days and logs of the MacRobertson International Air Race England to Australia are at the Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

The Roscoe Turner papers were given to the American Heritage Center by Madonna Turner (Mrs. Roscoe Turner), 1973-1977, and by the Madonna Turner estate, 1995-1999. The papers were received in good order. Original folder titles (when present) have been maintained. Brittle paper was copied and the originals discarded.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Loreley Moore, January 1993 and revised by D.Claudia Thompson, September 1998 and November 2018.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Aeronautics -- Study and teaching.
  • Aeronautics, Commercial.
  • Aeronautics.
  • Air pilots -- United States.
  • Aircraft industry.
  • Airplane racing.
  • Glimore (Lion)
  • Stunt flying.

Personal Names

  • Turner, Madonna Miller.

Corporate Names

  • American Legion.
  • MacRobertson International Air Race -- 1934.
  • National Aviation Trades Association.
  • United States -- Civil Air Patrol.

Geographical Names

  • Indiana -- History.
  • Indianapolis (Ind.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Film stills.
  • Models.
  • Photographs.
  • Scripts.

Occupations

  • Air pilots.
  • Businessmen.

Titles within the Collection

  • Flight at midnight (Motion picture)
  • Flying time (Radio program)
  • Hell's angels (Motion picture)
  • Sky Blazers (Radio program)

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names

    • Nevada Airlines Incorporated.
    • Roscoe Turner Aeronautical Corporation.
    • Roscoe Turner Flying Service.
    • Salsbury Corporation.

Processed by Loreley Moore, Revised by D. Claudia Thompson
2007

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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