Descriptive Finding Guide for the Miles Blaine Personal Papers
SDASM.SC.10017
Finding aid prepared by Alan Renga
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego, CA, 92101
(619) 234-8291
10/16/2014
Title: Miles Blaine Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10017
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.3 Cubic feet
3 Boxes
Date (inclusive): 1913-2009
Abstract: Miles Blaine (1913-2009) was a long time San Diego resident and photographer for SDASM. His collection features 860+ photographs
from 1935 to 1952, related to aviation and a growing San Diego. He began to volunteer at the San Diego Air & Space Museum
in 1977 and continued to do so until he passed away March 10, 2009. This collection documents his life in aviation. Most of
the collection comprises of images he took.
Related Archival Materials note
Log books in the SDASM Log Book Collection: LB 197: Miles F. Blaine, logbook, Jul 1936 - Dec 1952
The images in this collection have been digitized and placed on Flickr.
Conditions Governing Use note
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
Conditions Governing Access note
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Preferred Citation note
[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum
Library & Archives”]
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum without restrictions.
Biographical/Historical note
Miles Blaine (1913-2009) was a long time San Diego resident and photographer for SDASM. His collection features 860+ photographs
from 1935 to 1952, related to aviation and a growing San Diego. He began to volunteer at the San Diego Air & Space Museum
in 1977 and continued to do so until he passed away March 10, 2009.
Blaine was born November 17, 1913, in Weatherford, Oklahoma. He was the youngest of seven and moved with his family to San
Diego, CA, in 1927. A member of the first graduating class of Hoover High School, Blaine had his first ride in an airplane
with Ryan pilot Bob Kerlinger in a Great Lakes 2T-1A at Lindbergh Field. He also learned to fly in San Diego at Peik’s Airport
with instructor Arnold H. “Tex” Peik, starting out in an OX-5 American Eagle aircraft, and then switching to a Waco 10 after
a student had totaled the American Eagle before he could finish his hours. Blaine then soloed in the Waco 10 in 1936 and continued
flying for many years until he was 90 years old.
He worked for several years in civil service as an aircraft machinist at the Naval Air Station, North Island, and also for
Consolidated and Lockheed aircraft companies. He was a member of the Consair Flyers Club, Inc., which helped to organize the
aviation groups OX-5 Aviation Pioneers and Silver Wings in 1940. He was an avid photographer and gathered many aerial photos
of early San Diego development as well as various other photographs of people, aircraft, and automobiles. One of Blaine’s
fond memories was of Arnold Peik climbing out onto the wing of the Waco 10. He had only 3 hours of solo time and was unsure
of what to do, since he had never flown a wing-walker before.
Scope and Contents note
Three boxes, 15”x5”x10”, collection contains 850+ photos and images collected and taken by Miles Blaine, they document his
life in aviation, as well as San Diego history. Photos range approximately from 1935-1952, with many images from the mid-1940s.
The collection also features three book publications about the OX-5 Aviation Pioneers.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Blaine, Miles, 1913-2009
Curtiss-Wright Corporation.
Lockheed Aircraft .
Ryan Aeronautical Company.
Waco Aircraft Company.
Gillespie Field (El Cajon, Calif. : Airport)
Peiks Airport (San Diego, CA)
Folder 01 – Photos 1-100
Physical Description:
Various photographs depicting southern California, airports, airfields, Gibbs, Elsinore, La Mesa, Peiks, Lemon Grove, and
various aircraft.
Folder 02 – Photos 101-200
Physical Description:
Various photographs depicting southern California, airports, airfields, Gibbs, Elsinore, La Mesa, Peiks, Lemon Grove, and
various aircraft.
Folder 03 – Photos 201-299
Physical Description:
Photographs and Postcards largely of San Diego, as well as commercial images of aircraft.
Folder 04 – Photos 300-400
Physical Description:
Regional photographs and postcards, flying schools, National Air Races in 1936, and commercial images.
Folder 05 – Photos 401-500
Physical Description:
Photographs primarily of southern California airports, numerous unidentified individuals, Gibbs (later Montgomery) Airport,
Elsinore, and Pieks.
Folder 06 – Photos 501-600
Physical Description:
Various photos of unidentified people, Lindbergh Field, personal and passenger aircraft.
Folder 07 – Photos 601 - 799
Folder 08 – Photos 800 - 865
Physical Description:
Lindbergh Field, Montgomery Field, Balboa Park, various unidentified locations and aircraft.
Folder 09 – Miscellaneous Photographs & Negatives
Physical Description:
Undigitized photos (quality issues), duplicates, postcards, 11 negatives depicting airfields, hangers, and people.
Books
Physical Description:
Book: OX5 Aviation Pioneers, Aviation Pioneers: the History of the Curtiss OX-5, Turner Publishing: Nashville, TN, 2007. Contains
information about the Curtiss OX-5 and biographies of members.
Book (2 copies): Editors Robert F. Lang, Oliver V. Philips, Flora Balmer, OX5 Aviation Pioneers, Collector’s Limited Edition,
Taylor Publishing Co.: Dallas, TX, 1985.
