THANK YOU!

YOUR PURCHASE OF THESE BOOKS SUPPORTS THE WEB SITES THAT BRING TO YOU THE HISTORY BEHIND OLD AIRFIELD REGISTERS

Your copy of the Davis-Monthan Airfield Register with all the pilots' signatures and helpful cross-references to pilots and their aircraft is available at the link. 375 pages with black & white photographs and extensive tables

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The Congress of Ghosts (available as eBook) is an anniversary celebration for 2010.  It is an historical biography, that celebrates the 5th year online of www.dmairfield.org and the 10th year of effort on the project dedicated to analyze and exhibit the history embodied in the Register of the Davis-Monthan Airfield, Tucson, AZ. This book includes over thirty people, aircraft and events that swirled through Tucson between 1925 and 1936. It includes across 277 pages previously unpublished photographs and texts, and facsimiles of personal letters, diaries and military orders. Order your copy at the link.

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Military Aircraft of the Davis Monthan Register, 1925-1936 is available at the link. This book describes and illustrates with black & white photographs the majority of military aircraft that landed at the Davis-Monthan Airfield between 1925 and 1936. The book includes biographies of some of the pilots who flew the aircraft to Tucson as well as extensive listings of all the pilots and airplanes. Use this FORM to order a copy signed by the author, while supplies last.

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Art Goebel's Own Story by Art Goebel (edited by G.W. Hyatt) is written in language that expands for us his life as a Golden Age aviation entrepreneur, who used his aviation exploits to build a business around his passion.  Available as a free download at the link.

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Winners' Viewpoints: The Great 1927 Trans-Pacific Dole Race (available as eBook) is available at the link. This book describes and illustrates with black & white photographs the majority of military aircraft that landed at the Davis-Monthan Airfield between 1925 and 1936. The book includes biographies of some of the pilots who flew the aircraft to Tucson as well as extensive listings of all the pilots and airplanes. Use this FORM to order a copy signed by the author, while supplies last.

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Clover Field: The first Century of Aviation in the Golden State (available in paperback) With the 100th anniversary in 2017 of the use of Clover Field as a place to land aircraft in Santa Monica, this book celebrates that use by exploring some of the people and aircraft that made the airport great. 281 pages, black & white photographs.

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Thanks to Guest Editor Bob Woodling for help with this page.

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JAMES "Sunny Jim" ROLPH, Jr.

SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE

 

Springfield (MA) Sunday Union and Republican, March 22, 1931 (Source: Woodling)
Springfield (MA) Sunday Union and Republican, March 22, 1931 (Source: Woodling)
James "Sunny Jim" Rolph, Jr., Ca. 1934 (Source: Woodling)
James "Sunny Jim" Rolph, Jr., Ca. 1934 (Source: Woodling)

James Rolph (August 23, 1869-June 2, 1934) arrived at Santa Monica once as a passenger with pilot Clayton Allen. They flew in the Stinson identified by Allen as NC10812. They landed sometime between Tuedsay, September 29, 1931 and Friday, October 2, 1931 (Allen didn't enter a date in the Register).The good news is that the airplane is still registered with the FAA and is owned by a trustee in Reno, NV. Does anyone KNOW if it is flying?

Rolph was a colorful figure in California politics and has a large Web presence today (over 12,000 hits as of the upload date of this page). I'll leave it to you to use your preferred Web browser for further information.

He was the 27th (Republican) governor of California from January 6, 1931 until his death by heart attack in 1934 (obituary below).

Rolph was an early adopter of aviation in support of his political activities. Rolph was a pilot in his own right, taught by Register pilot Ray Crawford. At the link there is an article that describes Rolph's early flight training with Crawford. The article, right, from the Springfield (MA) Sunday Union and Republican describes his use of the airplane for his business. There is mention of the State purchasing an aircraft for his use. The connotation suggests this might have been the first time an aircraft was considered for a governor's use. Does anyone KNOW?

Whereas the governor was enthusiastic about flying, his wife was less so. The article below, from the Seattle Daily Times of February 27, 1933 describes her affinity for driving and avoiding the spotlight of office.

Seattle (WA) Daily Times, February 27, 1933 (Source: Woodling)

Rolph passed away relatively young at age 64. His obituary (source and exact date unidentified) is below.

James "Sunny Jim" Rolph, Jr., Obituary, June, 1934 (Source: Woodling)
James "Sunny Jim" Rolph, Jr., Obituary, June, 1934 (Source: Woodling)

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THIS PAGE UPLOADED: 08/02/13 REVISED: 08/04/16