University of Wyoming
Interviews -- Reel-to-reel audio tapes.
Frank T. Courtney (1894-1982) was born in London and served with the Royal Flying Corps (the forerunner of the Royal Air Force) in France during World War I, attaining the rank of captain. He was a test pilot and racer in England from 1919-1928. He also tried to fly the Atlantic from east to west in 1919, 1926 and 1928, but was unsuccessful each time.
Courtney came to the U.S. in 1928 as a technical assistant to the Curtiss-Wright Corporation. From 1936-1940 Courtney tested hydroplanes in England and came to the U.S. in 1940 to fly test planes for Convair and later served as an advisor to Boeing. Courtney was married to Constance May "Ginger" Filby (1901-1968), who was also an aviator.
Collection contains 16 items of correspondence (1928-1961); articles by or about Courtney (1955-1962); diaries (1923-1942); pilot's logs (1930-1938); photograph albums (1916-1941); manuscripts for Courtney's history of aviation, "The Eighth Sea"; 6 reel-to-reel audio tapes of an interview with Courtney on the evolution of the fighter plane (1968); blueprints of the Armstrong Whitworth Siskin II fighter and the Courtney-Curtiss-Wright amphibian airplane; and miscellaneous memorabilia.
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
There are no known other archival collections created by Frank T. Courtney at the date of processing.
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
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