The Personal Papers of Ray B. Fife SDASM.SC.10046
Alan Renga
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
10/14/2014
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Ray B. Fife Personal Papers
source:
Fife, Ray B.
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10046
Physical Description:
0.43 Cubic Feet
1 box 15” x 5” x 10”
Date (inclusive): 1900-1982
Abstract: Raymond B. Fife (March 26, 1900 – 1982) was a pioneer mechanic of aviation. Growing up in Venice, CA, he was exposed to the
world of aviation from an early age. This Collection details his life in aviation and includes detailed information on his
work with Curtiss Airplanes.
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum
Library & Archives”]
Raymond B. Fife (March 26, 1900 – 1982) was a pioneer mechanic of aviation. Growing up in Venice, CA, he was exposed to the
world of aviation from an early age. From 1912 to 1916 he worked with many barnstorming pilots; he ran errands, washed airplanes,
gassed them, opened hangar doors and at the age of 16 he had learned enough to build a complete airplane. When World War
I broke out, he was hired as a mechanic in a “Jenny” (Curtiss JN-4) factory in San Francisco. After the war he entered the
Army Air Service, his duty stations included the base at Rockwell Field, North Island, where he remained from 1931 to 1938.
During War World II he was an aviation mechanic in the Navy and after the war he continued working in North Island as a civilian
aircraft examiner.
In November 3rd, 1961, he was presented with the Superior Achievement Award for his contribution to the construction of a
Curtiss A-1 replica that was donated to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. He built several flyable airplanes; among
which was a 1912 Curtiss Pusher type racer which he used to exhibit at air shows.
Fife used to say of his Curtiss Airplane: “Riding there is about the same as riding a motorcycle or a bicycle, except, of
course that there are no stop lights to worry about.”
He lived in Coronado, California.
Collection consists of 1 box 15” x 5” x 10”, containing: Sketches and Log book, Personal Trip Notes, Articles, Curtis Pusher
Airplanes Rental Rates, Personal Letters, Sketches and Data of the Navy Curtis A-1, Brochures, Photographs and Negatives,
Notes, Brochures.
Albums 27 (A,B,C), 141 and Bio Photos 02-F-00049-00057
Elrette Sudsbury Collection - INCORPORATED
Related Research Institutions:
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Independence Ave at 6th St, SW, Washington, DC 20560
Archives: (703) 572-4045
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Curtiss-Wright Aircraft
Curtiss A-1 Triad
Naval Air Station North Island (Calif.)
Fife, Ray B.
Sudsbury, Elretta
Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Box 01
Folder 01 - Correspondence
Physical Description: 2. To Ray, from Noel J. Becar, Experimental Aircraft Research, September 12, 1979.
3. From Commander Fleet, to Distribution List, Subject: Volunteers to construct Curtiss A-1, June 20, 1960 (original and photocopy).
4. From Ray, May 21, 1979.
5. To “Sunshine Ray” from Paul, The Early Birds, March 4, 1981.
6. Mr. McKellar San Diego Aero-Space Museum, from Fred M. Young, Young Radiator Company, March 10, 1981.
7. Ray Fife, from Fred M. Young, March 30, 1981.
8. Ray Fife, from Edwin D. McKellar, Jr., San Diego Aero-Space Museum, April 9, 1981.
9. “Dear Friend,” after museum fire from Ray Fife, April 6, 1978.
10. Ray Fife, notice of loss after museum fire from Owen F. Clarke, March 12, 1979.
11. Ray Fife, from Fred M. Young, February 16, 1981.
12. Ray Fife, from Fred M. Young, May 4, 1979.
13. Ray Fife, from “Billy” (letterhead: Will D. Parker), May 2, 1979.
14. Ray Fife, from S.J. Landauer, Kimball Aircraft Corporation, May 15, 1929.
15. Louise Baird, from Raymond Fife, April 23, 1950.
16. Ray Fife, from G.S. Anderson, Assistant Secretary to Henry Ford, August 18, 1916, with enclosed copy of letter written
to Henry Ford, August 5, 1916.
17. To Ray Fife, from Tex La Grone, Tex La Grone Flying service, 3 letters joined together, dated April 10, 1950, March 9,
1950, and September 13, 1949.
18. Ray Fife, from Paul E. Garber, Head Curator, Smithsonian Institution, National Air Museum, 3 letters, dated April 20,
1954, December 13, 1949, November 16, 1949.
Folder 02 - Articles
Physical Description: 1. A-1 Mechanic Honored in San Diego, by Elretta Sudsbury, July 1962.
2. Curtiss F9C-2 Sparrowhawk, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
3. Elementary Aeronautics and Model Notes, May 1979, with handwritten notes.
4. Jackrabbits to Jets (2 copies).
5. Misc collection: Jackrabbits to Jets cover, page with two newspaper clippings about Fife Retirement, Plane Talk – Jackrabbits
to Jets reservation March 3, 1967, with newspaper clipping about event attached.
6. Plane Talk Newsletter, May 6, 1963 (2 copies).
Folder 03 – Newspaper, Articles and Clippings
Physical Description: -1 Mechanic Honored in San Diego, by Elretta Sudsbury, July 1962.
2. Curtiss F9C-2 Sparrowhawk, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
3. Elementary Aeronautics and Model Notes, May 1979, with handwritten notes.
4. Jackrabbits to Jets (2 copies).
5. Misc collection: Jackrabbits to Jets cover, page with two newspaper clippings about Fife Retirement, Plane Talk – Jackrabbits
to Jets reservation March 3, 1967, with newspaper clipping about event attached.
6. Plane Talk Newsletter, May 6, 1963 (2 copies).
Folder 04 - Curtiss A-1
Physical Description: 2. Index Album #1 – Views of Glen H. Curtiss from 1907 to 1912 Aircraft – to “Triad” and the Navy-Curtiss “A1” Hydroplane
through 5 Albums (2 copies).
3. Album letter description – Ray Fife (2 copies, 8.5 x 14).
4. Album letter description (2 copies, 8.5 x 11).
5. Air Show and Dedication of Admiral Halsey Field, August 19-20, 1961, pamphlet (2 copies).
6. A-1 Operational Code and Map – photocopies.
7. Pilots Controls of “The Navy-Curtiss A1 #000001,” 1961, Replica data, 3 pages.
Folder 06 - Curtiss Pusher Aircraft and Airshow Notes
Physical Description: 1. “Curtiss” type Pusher Byplane of the 1912-1914 era sheet.
2. FIFE 21 Pusher drawings, schematics.
3. Curtiss Pusher Biplane photocopy drawing, May 4, 1976.
4. Curtiss Pusher & MH Shipment by Airlift, days and hours of C130, April 4, 1963.
5. Curtiss Pusher & MH, Shipment by Airlift and Curtiss Pusher and Hours, April 4, 1963.
6. Reference: Air Show, NAS Miramar, Saturday, September 12, 1959.
7. Handwritten note, Curtiss Pusher Airplane Rental Rates, N4161K April 12, 1950.
8. General Specs of Curtiss Racer on Exhibition at New York Aero Show, May 18, 1912.
9. Typed, Curtiss Pusher Airplane, Rental Rates #N4161K, letter to rentee, April 12, 1950.
10. Curtiss Biplane Pusher Type No. N4161K, Rental Rates and Conditions, R.B. Fife.
11. Handwritten Itinerary of Trip to Washington DC and return to Naval Airsation, San Diego, CA, by Raymond B. Fife, Aircraft
Mechanic General Maximun, Overhaul and Repair Department, c. 1961, 11 pages.
12. Handwritten pages on binder paper, Smithsonian Air Museum Rehabilitation Station, Silver Hill, MD, October 22-31.
13. 5 pages of notes and documentation regarding parts and repairs to Pusher Biplane, c. July 6, 1956.
Folder 07 - Miscellaneous
Physical Description: 1. Flyer, NASM celebrates Paul E. Garber’s 80th Birthday.
2. Small paper, diagram “truck body,” February 2.
3. Half page, Engine Five (CO2) System Bronze on Brass, sketching.
4. “Interesting story of life on Pugut Sound in the early 1850’s told by Captain J.E. Burns who saved his schooner from the
fight with the Nit-Nat Indians… Anne Hibbard burns became Anne H. Fife, my mother,” 4 pages.
5. Charter Member card, IAS/USN A-1 Club, Ray Fife.
6. Envelope – 21 Pusher.
7. Print – Ray Fife San Diego, California, The Early Birds of Aviation, stamped Sep 12, 1981.
8. Clipping, Beachy Biplane 1914.
9. USNA Navy blue and gold sticker
10. Japan Rising Sun flag sticker print.
11. Sketching and material list and cost.
12. Brochure, U.S. Naval Aviation Museum, NAS Pensacola, Florida.
13. Garbers’ Greetings, 1978 – from Irene and Paul (photocopy).
Folder 09 - Photographs II
Physical Description: 1. 56 photographs (including some duplicate prints) of people (including Peter Bowers, Tex LaGrone, and others), air shows,
NAS North Island Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, FL, “Billy Parker’s Pusher,” Lindberg Field Early Birds show, and Army Curtiss
Aviation Camp, Friedkin School of Aeronautics, photos at the piper & Stinson flying Service (1950), Airplanes photos, Airplanes
models (not dated), photos at “Fiesta del Pacifico” Parade, San Diego, CA, Santa Monica, CA. Images are from 1913, 1950-1951
(the majority), 1956, 1959, and 1968.
Folder 10 - Negatives
Physical Description: 1. Items from folder marked “Negatives,” with respective prints and printing envelopes.
2. 8 envelopes of negatives:
Pusher AF Day April 20, 1953, Biplane in front of Shell gas station.
Pusher AF Day April 20, 1953, Biplane with different angle.
Pusher AF Day April 20, 1953, Biplane Close-up from Behind.
Pusher AF Day April 20, 1953, Biplane front view.
Pat/Jack 21 Pusher @ 815.
Pat/Jack 21 Pusher @ 815
Pat/Jack 21 Pusher @ 815
Pat/Jack 21 Pusher @ 815
Rose Werner 120 “I” Avenue, 2 negatives.
3. 3 prints.