Our Books
An Aviation History Book
Flabob Airport, Riverside, California
Aviation history in Riverside, California shaped the Flabob Airport. As a result of pioneer aviators, the airport flourished. Its history illustrates how dreams of flight created a state-of-the-art aviation complex.
The Early Days
Flabob began on a patch of farmland with a roughed-out dirt strip. Even so, the Army Air Corps and emerging airlines refueled there. Roman Warren and Flavio Madariaga facilitated its development as airport managers. The aviation history of Flabob includes famous pilots, designers, and home builders. Their meticulous replicas and camaraderie attracted international attention.
Flabobians Make Aviation History
Documenting the aviation history of Flabob Airport focused on individuals who made Flabob great. Frank Tallman, Bill Turner, and Ed Marquart designed and built replicas. Ray Stits and Lou Stolp shaped the home-building industry. Tom Walthen embraced the airport’s future in 2000. As a result, Flabob reflects his mission – Inspiration through Aviation.
Experimental Airplane Association (EAA)
Chapter One of the EAA calls Flabob home. Not only do its members support the airport as mentors but they also host outstanding aviation events. Some of these focus on the airport’s aviation history.
Book Description
As in all Little Buttes aviation history books, there are loads of images to highlight the factual text.
Reviews
An Aviation History Book
Pioneering Aviation in Kern County
The aviation history of Kern County confirms its significant role in developing California’s airports. Created as a fund-raiser for the Golden Age of Flight Museum, Kern’s aviation history now exists for future generations.
Aviation History Facts
In 1910, C. K. Hamilton soared over Bakersfield. Air-minded leaders made this first flight in Kern County possible. Clearly, they realized the economic impact aviation held for residents and businesses. The city’s location made it a natural stop for airplanes flying from northern to southern California. Subsequently, Kern’s Board of Supervisors established the first county-operated airport in the United States in 1927. Next, they put in place the first coordinated system of airports.
The Airports
Bakersfield, Airport No. 1, served as a nucleus for airports throughout the county. They ranged from Taft and Delano and Ridgecrest to Muroc. The airports supported both civilian and miliary operations. Arvin and Frazier Park supported glider flying. Shafter and Taft established California’s largest Army Air Corp bases. Hap Arnold set up the Bombing and Gunnery Range on Muroc Dry Lake in 1933. Pancho Barnes lent her airport to the county during the WWII.
The Pioneers
Cecil Meadows stands out as one of Kern’s most influential contributors to its aviation history. Ross Peacock, Don Cardiff, and Tom McCart established flight schools. They later became flight instructors for the Civilian Pilot Training Program. Dutch Holloway pioneered an airline. Elynor Rudnick laid the foundation for the Bakersfield Municipal Airport.
Book Description
As in all Little Buttes aviation history books, there are loads of images to highlight the factual text. Paperback 210 pages
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An Aviation History Book
Cliff Henderson - Visionary Leader
Aviation history paints Cliff Henderson as the Impresario of the National Air Races or Ringmaster of the Sky. These names resulted from his position as Director of the National Air Races. His biography documents the back story of these races. Clearly, he turned them into the biggest international events of the year.
Other aviation history
Cliff participated in both world wars and later served in the Army Air Corps Reserve. He hosted the Douglas World Cruisers at Clover Field in 1924. In addition, he sold Nash automobiles and Thunderbird aircraft. When Los Angeles needed a place to show case events, Cliff built the Pan Pacific Auditorium. Inspired by the serenity of the Coachella Valley, he built and founded the city of Palm Desert. He truly deserves the title of visionary leader.
Personality and philosophy
Aviation history through interviews and research reveals a man dedicated to aviation. He believed that air races provided pilots a platform to hon their skills. In addition, they allowed manufacturers to test new designs. Most importantly, they entertained the public. Cliff’s genuine friendships with presidents, actors, and industrialists enabled him to make his visions become reality. These relationships endured because of Cliff’s steadfast commitments.
Book Description
As in all Little Buttes aviation history books, there are loads of images to highlight the factual text. Hard cover with dust jacket. 32 pages of color images, 374 pages
Reviews
An Aviation History Book
Wedell-Williams Air Service
The aviation history of the Wedell-Williams Air Service documents a successful partnership. Jimmy Wedell designed air racers and Harry Williams provided the financial backing. This contributed a remarkable legacy to air racing. In addition, it enhanced the aviation history of Louisiana as the state’s first airline.
The Racers
Jimmie possessed a keen sense of aerodynamics. He proved that bigger engines were not always the right combination to place first. The Model 44 stands as his more prolific winner. In the 1932 Bendix, Jim Haizlip, Wedell, and Roscoe Turner took the first three finishes in Model 44s. Despite his death in 1934, Wedell’s racers continued competing until 1939.
Book Description
As in all Little Buttes aviation history books, there are loads of images to highlight the factual text. The Wedell-Williams aviation history features three sections – the company, the racers, and the racing.
Paperback, 128 pages.
Reviews
An Aviation History Book
Endorsed by Earhart: How Amelia Financed her Flying
Aviation history reveals that Amelia became the most sought-after celebrity to endorse products. As a result of her 1928 flight in the Friendship, she became an American icon. In addition, she photographed well!
The Endorsements Which Contributed to Her Aviation History
Amelia endorsed everything from cars to candy. This included aircraft, parachutes, and magazines. In addition, Amelia endorsed a line of luggage which endures today. It’s not the original manufacturer, but still popular. Companies that Amelia endorsed printed cards with her image and relevant description. The Doughnut Corporation of America and Mars Confections are two. Endorsing the Beechnut Company provided Amelia with a gyrocopter.
Book Description
As in all Little Buttes aviation history books, there are loads of images to highlight the factual text. Every endorsement in the book includes an image and history of the company. Hard cover with dust jacket, 110 pages
Reviews
An Aviation History Book
Flying Carpets, Flying Wings
The Biography of Moye W. Stephens
Aviation history documents the Flying Carpets, Flying Wings book as the first factual narrative of a world flight. It is more than just a biography about the pilot Moye W. Stephens, however. It is about his friends and the strength of their bonds.
Pilot Stephens
Moye earned his pilot license at Rogers and Clover Fields in 1924. Eddie Bellande taught him to fly. Flying jobs during college kept him in the cockpit. Maddux Airlines hired him as a captain for their Ford trimotors. Following that, he transitioned to Transcontinental Airlines and TWA. Moye promoted Lockheed’s Electra after the world flight. In 1939, he helped found Northrop Corporation. Besides being a member of the board, he flew as a prototype test pilot.
The World Flight Makes Aviation History
Moye received a call from adventure author Richard Halliburton in 1930. He wanted Moye to fly him around the world. Moye agreed and selected a Stearman C -3B for the journey. The flight took them to Timbuctoo, Mt. Everest, and Borneo. They gave rides to princesses and the king of headhunters. Eighteen months after departing Grand Central Airport, they returned from an accident-free world journey.
Book Description
As in all Little Buttes aviation history books, there are loads of images to highlight the factual text. Paperback, 350 pages.
Reviews
An Aviation History Book
Pancho: The Biography of Florence Lowe Barnes
Aviation history describes a unique aviatrix. Pancho Barnes perhaps found her love of aviation from her grandfather. Professor T. S. C. Lowe helped the Union Army win the Civil War. He also built Pasadena’s Mt. Lowe Railway to the Stars.
The colorful Pancho
Pancho swaggered like a buccaneer on the airport. She smoked cigars and swore like a sailor. Nonetheless, the aviation community saw her as an excellent pilot. Her friends described her as spontaneous and fun. In 1930, she set the women’s speed record in her Travel Air Mystery Ship. She also set long-distance speed records.
In 1934, Pancho bought a ranch near Lancaster, California. Some ten years later she established the Happy Bottom Riding Club. Edwards Air Force test pilots designated her club as their unofficial debriefing room. Pancho referred to herself as the ‘Unofficial Mother of the Supersonic Age’.
Pancho paraded through life – sometimes brazenly, rarely anonymously – but never without zest. As aviatrix Louise Thaden said, “I feel she didn’t miss a lick of living and lived as she wished.” And Pancho lived by this motto, “Live dangerously. Anybody that isn’t, ought to be dead.”
Book Description
As in all Little Buttes aviation history books, there are loads of images to highlight the factual text. Paperback, 292 pages.
