The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Robert William Von Willer Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10150
AR
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
6/2016
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego 92101
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Robert William Von Willer Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10150
Physical Description:
.3 Cubic Feet
The collection consists of two boxes containing papers found in Mr. Von Willer’s hangar after he had passed away. It appears
to be paperwork (1990s), including liens, on a few of the planes he most likely worked on; as well as log books, photographs,
postcards, aeronautical charts, Kaiser Fleetwings F-5 drawings. The collection is arranged
2 boxes.
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: Robert Von Willer formed the Exotic Aircraft Company in El Cajon, specializing in the restoration of antique aircraft, including
warbirds.
Biographical / Historical
Robert William Von Willer was born in January 26, 1942 and was the son of Robert William Von Willer (1921 - 2007) and Virginia
M. Von Willer (1921 – 2010). He lived in Lakeside and El Cajon, graduated from Monte Vista High School in 1960, and married
Jo E. Rhodes in 1961. In November 1969, Bob formed the Fleet Club with John Sommerfeld and published their first newsletter.
Through the years, Bob had accumulated many aircraft parts and formed the Exotic Aircraft Company in El Cajon, specializing
in the restoration of antique aircraft, including warbirds. He was an appraiser, dealer, expert collector, and mechanic for
thirty years. Bob passed away on December 30, 2010.
Conditions Governing Use
The collection is open to research by appointment.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials in this collection were donated to the San Diego Air & Space Museum in 2015. The collection has been processed
and is open for research with no restrictions.
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of two boxes containing papers found in Mr. Von Willer’s hangar after he had passed away. It appears
to be paperwork (1990s), including liens, on a few of the planes he most likely worked on; as well as log books, photographs,
postcards, aeronautical charts, Kaiser Fleetwings F-5 drawings. The collection is arranged
Related Materials
Aircraft Verticle files.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Exotic Aircraft Restoration
Stinson 108
Stolp Starduster
Kaiser Fleetwings F-5
Ballanca 17-30A
Von Willer, Robert William
Series I: Aircraft Records
Scope and Contents
The materials in these folders are primarily on a Bellanca 17-30A
Folder 1 – Compliance Reports
Folder 2 - Repair and Alteration
Folder 3 - Service & Warranty
Folder 17 - Tires, Wheels and Brakes
Folder 20 - Misc. Records Personal
Folder 21 - Log Books (2)
Folder 22 - Stearman Modifications
Folder 23 - Stinson 108/ N40132 Paperwork
Folder 1 - Wright Flying Machine (Patent Info.)
Folder 2 - Timm Aircraft Corp. Drawings
Folder 3 - Kaiser Fleetwings, Inc. Drawings
Folder 4 - Kaiser Fleetwings, Inc. Erection & Maintenance Instructions for F-5 Seabird Amphibian
Folder 5 - Sectional Aeronautical Charts
Folder 6 – Manuscript 1. “I’m in Aviation Now” by Stan Mahoney, 1990
Folder 7 – Photographs
Physical Description: 1. One 5x7 (G.H. Holer)
2. Two 8x10 (Airport w/Helopads) & (1931 Stinson plane)
3. One 6x4 (Old Rhinebeck plane)
4. One 8x8 (Biplane)
5. One oversized photo of WWII movie set
Folder 8 – Ephemera
Physical Description: 1. Twenty-two vintage-style post cards
2. One magazine ad (Curtiss Flying Service)
Series VII: Audio Visual
Physical Description:
2 DVDs
“Runway Safety” & “CAPS Advisory DVD for First Responders”