William Laufer Aviation Collection

The William Laufer Collection is a collection of aircraft maintenance materials used by Mr. Laufer during his career as an aircraft mechanic and as a teacher at the Miami Valley Career Technology Center. The collection consists of training maintenance manuals for aircraft, aircraft engines, and a wide variety of aircraft parts. Also included are parts catalogs and sales brochures for aircraft, engines, propellers, and aircraft parts. The collection is divided into eight series.

Series I, Aircraft Maintenance Training (1943-1988) contains material used to train aircraft mechanics. A large part of this series are training manuals prepared by the Aviation Maintenance Foundation, Inc. during the 1970s. Also included in this series are manuals for military training courses developed by both the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. The series ends with a variety of training manuals developed by the aircraft industry or individuals.

Series II, Federal Guidance and Technical Orders (1919-1986) is divided into two sections. The first section contains guidance issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or its predecessor, the Civil Aeronautics Authority (CAA). Within this section the guidance is grouped according to the issuing agency. The second section is Technical Orders issued by a variety of agencies for the overhaul or maintenance of aircraft or their parts.

Series III, Aircraft Manuals, Parts Catalogs, and Sales Brochures (1928-1998) is the largest of the eight series. This series is organized according to manufacturer and then chronologically within each manufacturer. Twenty-one manufacturers are listed in this section with the largest being Beechcraft, Cessna, Douglas, Piper, and WACO. Of note for researchers are the Service Bulletins and Parts Catalogs for the Douglas DC-3/C-47.

Series IV, Aircraft Engine Maintenance Manuals, Parts Catalogs, and Sales Brochures (1932-1992) is organized by manufacturer and then chronologically within each manufacturer. Fourteen manufacturers are listed in this section with the largest being the Continental Aircraft Engine Company, Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, and Wright Aeronautical Corporation (Curtiss-Wright Aeronautical Corporation). Along with maintenance and overhaul manuals, there are a large number of Parts Catalogs for the aircraft engines, particularly Wright Aeronautical Engines.

Series V, Propeller Maintenance Manuals, Parts Catalogs, and Sales Brochures (1937-1977) is organized by manufacturer and then chronologically within each manufacturer. Six propeller manufacturers are listed in this series including Aeroproducts, Beech, Curtiss, Hamilton Standard, Hartzell, and McCauley.

Series VI, General Aircraft Parts Catalogs, Maintenance Manuals, and Sales Brochures (1938-1993) is another very large series with forty-four manufacturers listed. The series is organized by manufacturer and then chronologically with manufacturer. The types of parts included are spark plugs, aircraft hoses and fittings, radios and communication systems, magnetos, fuel injection systems, generators and electric starters, aircraft tires and breaks, batteries, landing gear, navigation lights, automatic pilots, and gyroscopes. The manufacturer with the largest representation in this series is Bendix Corporation, including Eclipse-Pioneer Electric Starters and Generators and Bendix-Scintilla Magnetos.

Series VII, General Aviation Information (1923-1997) is divided into nine sections. The first section includes aeronautical charts for a variety of cities/regions in the United States most of which are dated during the 1960s. The second section is WACO Aircraft General Information contains general information about WACO aircraft. Mr. Laufer was a volunteer at the WACO Historical Society and Museum. The third section is general information on the Wright Brothers which contains several brochures. The fourth section contains Aircraft Mechanic Publications such as Pocket Manuals for aircraft mechanics and similar information. The fifth section contains Aviation Publications produced by a variety of people and organizations. The sixth section contains general information on a variety of topics including the Curtiss OX-5 aircraft engine, magazine articles, and information on several aviators including Jimmy Doolittle and Roscoe Turner. The seventh sections contains wall charts and aviation posters providing information on aviation. The last two sections contain photographs and art, along with miscellaneous information including the "Mechanic's Creed" and log books.

Series VIII, Audiovisual Material (1929-1997) contains VHS tapes, 8 mm film, and 16 mm film. The VHS tapes and film primarily contain footage of WACO Glider Aircraft, WACO aircraft in general, and National Air Races footage.