1938 National Air Races, 1938

William A. "Bill" Sweet, Jr. was the director and announcer for the National Air Shows from the early 1930s until his death in 1978. In his role as director, he was also the advance publicity man, arriving in town well in advance to promote the air show through whatever means possible -- radio and TV spots, lining up sponsors, distributing posters, and contacting the local newspaper with stories and photographs. The success of the air show was dependent on these activities -- and Bill Sweet was very good at it. The Bill Sweet Collection is divided into four series containing a wide range of materials related to Sweet and the National Air Show. Researchers will find the scrapbooks, photographs, and film in the collection as a good starting point for writing a history of air shows in the United States.

Series I, General Information, contains certificates of recognition, correspondence, articles written by Sweet, "Aviation Oddity" drawings by Sweet, press releases, newspaper clippings, air show programs, and air show/press badges, including one for Apollo 13. The material ranges in date from the mid-1930s to 1973. Of particular note, is a copy of Bill Sweet's book, "They Call Me Mr. Airshow" (1972). In the front of the book, and scattered throughout the book, are autographs of air show people. Also of note, located in the Oversize material, is an original 18" x 22" oil painting by Bill's brother, Robert Sweet. The subject of the sign is the Linco gasoline logo and the text is "Quality Gasoline -- Aviation Fuel for Your Car." This sign was created in 1937 and placed on Bill Sweet's announcer podium.

Series II, Scrapbooks, contains 11 newspaper clipping scrapbooks, plus several folders of loose clippings. The scrapbooks begin in approximately 1930 and end in 1947. The scrapbooks are in poor condition, but they contain a rich history of the air show industry during the 1930s and 1940s. Of particular note are articles written by Sweet that appeared in local newspapers and a large number of ads placed by Sweet in local newspapers.

Series III, Photographs, contains more than a thousand photographs of air show events, people, and other activities related to air shows. The air show portion of the photographs are located in photograph album boxes. The major parts of the series include a box containing photographs used in Sweet's book, "They Call Me Mr. Airshow," three boxes of photographs of people (primarily stunt pilots), two boxes of air show flying demonstrations, and one box of scenes on the ground, including parades. Unfortunately, many of the photographs of the stunt flying are not identified as to location or who is flying. Finally, the series also contains two boxes containing photographs of a variety of airplanes. The photographs are organized according to manufacturer -- many of which contain only one or two photographs.

Series IV, Film and Audio Tape, primarily contains 16mm film of air races and air shows. The film ranges from the 1938 National Air Races to a 1973 film entitled "Pistons Props and Pilots." A number of reels are unidentified. Overall, the film is in moderate condition and may not be easily transferable to a VHS or DVD format.