The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Art Bussy Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10188
AR
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
11/11/16
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: Arthur C. Bussy Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10188
Physical Description:
.3 Cubic Feet
Description: The collection consists of one archival box 2-1/2" x 12-1/2" x 10-1/2".
Content notes: The collection contains items reflecting Mr. Bussy's career in aviation as a pilot, air race contestant, barnstormer,
and test pilot for several aviation companies.
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: The collection contains items reflecting Mr. Bussy's career in aviation as a pilot, air race contestant, barnstormer, and
test pilot for several aviation companies.
Biographical / Historical
Arthur C. Bussy was born on April 19, 1903 in New York. He graduated from Union College in New York in 1924 with an engineering
degree. In 1927, he married Elizabeth Etta Fulmer (Betty) and they had one son, Richard.
Mr. Bussy went to work for General Electric as an electrical engineer. In 1927, he learned to fly in Oneonta, New York.
Mr. Bussy went to work at Floyd Bennett Field in 1932. One of his students, "Tiny" Goddard, of Morgan Guarantee Corporation,
helped finance United Air Service, a charter service that Mr. Bussy ran. From 1932 to 1939, he had a variety of other jobs
in aviation while running United Air Service. One of these was air racing and barnstorming in the summers in order to make
extra money and gain sponsors. Mr. Bussy piloted a Curtiss Condor and a Ford Tri-Motor and, with Clarence Chamberlain, provided
airplane rides at various airports. In 1939, Mr. Bussy competed in the Bendix Air Races, in a Bellanca Tri-Motor, and placed
second to Frank Fuller. He also flew a Twin Beech 18, and did some engineering work for Jacobs Engine Company in Royersford,
Pennsylvania in 1938 and 1939.
Mr. Bussy competed in the famous Bendix Trophy Race in 1939, the last year the race was held until after the end of World
War II. In 1932 he rescued Beryl Markham off the coast of Nova Scotia. Miss Markham was an English pilot who crashed on
a small island and had been compared to Amelia Earhart.
During 1939 and 1940, Mr. Bussy flew for TWA in a DC-3. At the end of 1940, he relocated his family to San Diego to go to
work for Consolidated Aircraft Company (later to become Convair and then General Dynamics). As a test pilot and engineer,
he worked from 1940 to 1950 when he retired. Between 1941 and 1943, Mr. Bussy delivered Consolidated B-24s to England, and
between 1941 and 1944 delivered PBYs and Coronado Flying Boats to Hawaii and the Philippines. In the late 1940s, Convair
was developing the Convair 240 and 340, and Mr. Bussy had a part in selling these aircraft to countries in South America.
By the late 1940s, arthritis from an earlier leg injury had become quite severe, and Mr. Bussy could no longer fly. He continued
to conduct his engineering work, and did route planning for the airlines during this time.
Mr. Bussy died of complications from arthritis on October 17, 1969. He was one of many aviators who contributed much behind
the lines to further aviation.
Scope and Contents
Description: The collection consists of one archival box 2-1/2" x 12-1/2" x 10-1/2".
Content notes: The collection contains items reflecting Mr. Bussy's career in aviation as a pilot, air race contestant, barnstormer,
and test pilot for several aviation companies.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers by appointment
Related Materials
Air Race files: Bendix Air Race
Bio Photos
TWA Files
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Collection was donated to the San Diego Air and Space Musmum
Folder 1 -- Correspondence, Contacts, Printing Prices, and Photo Requests for Wheels to Wings (folder 1 of 2).
Physical Description: 1. Letter dated May 18, 1939, from Weems System of Navigation on Mr. Bussy passing the final examination and enclosing his
diploma (included). 2. Letter dated August 10, 1939, from Bellanca Aircraft Corporation acknowledging receipt of stock certificates
in Beech Aircraft. 3. Letter dated January 25, 1959, from C. R. Smith, American Airlines enclosing first day cover commemorating
America's first transcontinental commercial jet flight. 4. Letter dated February 11, 1959, from Don Germarrod, Captain of
Convair 880.
Series II: Bendix Trophy Race, 1939
Folder 2 -- Bendix Trophy Race
Physical Description: 1. Brochure of Schedule of Events, September 2, 3, 4, 1939, Cleveland Ohio. 2. Letter dated August 4, 1939, from Air
Race Headquarters requesting publicity information. 3. Letter dated August 11, 1939, from Air Race Headquarters enclosing
publicity questionnaire. 4. Letter dated August 21, 1939, from Air Race Headquarters requesting pilot credential information.
5. Letter dated August 28, 1939, from Kendall Refining Company with invitation to air race luncheon. 6. Letter dated
August 29, 1939, from Union Air Terminal, Burbank, CA with invitation to air race luncheon. 7. Letter dated September
5, 1939, from Ben Howe congratulation Mr. Bussy on his second place win. 8. Letter dated September 6, 1939, from Lillian
Bussy congratulating on race win. 9. Letter dated September 7, 1939, from Air Race Headquarters enclosing second place prize
check. 10. Letter dated September 9, 1939, from Air Race Headquarters directing Mr. Bussy to address a query to Bendix Aviation.
11. Letter dated September 26, 1939, from Buck-Shearer Oils, Inc., enclosing prize check for using Kendall oils. 12. Letter
dated September 29, 1939, from National Air Races announcing suspension of the national air races because of the commencement
of World War II 13. Miscellaneous congratulatory telegrams. 14. Official Standing of Contestants, 1939, National Air Races.
15. Magazine article about importance of correct fuel in Bendix Trophy Race.
Series III: News Clippings
Folder 3 -- News Clippings
Physical Description: 1. Photo of dirigible Los Angeles taken from plane piloted by Arthur Bussy. 2. Photo of sinking ship Fort Victoria taken
from plane piloted by Arthur Bussy. 3. Photo of crew and passengers on Liberator plane that made 35-hour Honolulu round
trip. 4. Copy of photo of Arthur C. Bussy, with news clipping of obituary attached. 5. Miscellaneous articles mentioning
Mr. Bussy.
Folder 4 -- Miscellaneous
Physical Description: 1. Arthur C. Bussy Career Synopsis. 2. Marriage Certificate. 3. Certificate from U.S. Naval Institute, June 26, 1939.