Description

A little history lesson first, courtesy of vintagekidstuff.com ... Officially launched on April 15, 1934 in every William Randolph Hearst-owned newspaper in America (17 at the time) the Junior Birdmen of America (JBA) program was open to all boys and girls with an interest in aviation. In the early 1930's airplane mania was sweeping across America. Many clubs were formed, supporting the model-airplane industry and teaching the youth of America the basics of flight. The Junior Birdmen of America is by far the most remembered club. For a mere 10 cents, you too could have joined the Junior Birdmen of America. By return mail you would have received your membership pin, membership card and details for organizing your own Flight Squadron. Membership was open to all boys and girls from 10 through 21, living in the United States and its territorial possessions, who sent in the required dime to one of the many Hearst-owned major city newspapers across America. All who joined in the early days of the program received a special membership card with "Charter Member" stamped on it. Those who joined between the age 10-15 were Group "B" members and received a silver membership pin and silver membership card. Group "A" members; 16 -21 years old received a gold membership pin and gold membership card. The program was delivered through the newspaper with daily articles and special Sunday articles. Areas covered included basic aviation lessons, local contests & national contests, flying articles by prominent fliers, annual banquets, "Popular Pilot" polls, trips to airports and airplane factories, and interviews with people of interest. Weekly radio shows for the Junior Birdmen were also popular. Later, 10 cent handbooks were published and sent through the mail. The program had 2 eras; 1934 until August 1937 when it was owned and controlled by the Hearst Newspaper franchise, and post August 1937 when the program became independent of the newspaper. And now on to this listing ... This listing is for several 1934 newspaper clippings all pertaining to United Airlines: February 26, 1934 - "Find Eight Dead in Wrecked Air Liner Near Salt Lake City" - This article is in two pieces because it was printed on two separate pages. Describes crash of United Airlines passenger plane in the Wasatch Mountains while on its way from Salt Lake City to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Evidence of Instant Death Shown by Bodies. Wrechage Hangs on Trees Amid Deep Snow. Victims were pilot Lloyd Anderson, Stewardess Mary Carter, Co-pilot Eric G. Danielson, and passengers Ewald W. Berglund, Bert M'Laughlin, J.J. Sterling, E.L. Walker, Marcellus Zinsmaster. Article has an aerial photo of the Wasatch Mountains, and a cut-away model of the Boeing aircraft of the type that crashed. April 15, 1934 - "Mighty Airliner Explained for Birdmen" - A cutaway diagram of a Univest Airlines aircrack showing 33 of its principle parts. Described as "one of the most modern transport planes, the twin Wasp powered Boeing used by United Air Lines from coast to coast." [According to Wikipedia, this appears to be a reference to Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp]. May 24, 1934 - "Clipped Wings" - Photo of a United Airlines Boeing plane with its wings removed so it could be wheeled into the Travel and Transport building at the World's Fair, where it would be on exhibition. June 10, 1934 - "Birdmen Hold Field Day - Birdmen Learn of Aviation in Airport Rally" - members of Chicago wing hold first field day; see planes, shops and pilots. Has photo at Chicago airport of William Westlake (Chicago wing commander) and John A. Casey (superintendent of the municipal airport) standing on a wing of a United Airlines plane as they explained aircraft to Junior Birdmen. Another photo shows Dorothy and Margaret Hallen, both Junior Birdwomen, marveling at the lunuriousness of the huge American Airlines plane at the airport. The article ends, "Don't forget, members, that in tomorrow's column we will have lesson number eight in the model builders' course for beginners." If you are a collector of United Airlines or Junior Birdmen of America historical memorabilia, this is a must-have for your collection! These clippings were removed from a large, old scrapbook containing clippings about aviation history from the 1930s. Some of the clippings had been cut to fit within the pages of the scrapbook. They have been reassembled, much like a jigsaw puzzle, and held together on the back with archival quality mending tissue. This is NOT Scotch tape! It contains no acid or lignin that would harm these clippings over time. It should not be removed. I am listing many other newspaper clippings on eBay, including historical aviation clippings. Please check my other listings, as I will be happy to combine shipping. I do not accept returns. Please read the description and examine the photos carefully, and ask questions if you are unsure about anything. Absolutely no returns or refunds .