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Shropshire (Helen S.) Personal Papers
SDASM.SC.10132
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Helen S. Shropshire Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10132
Physical Description:
0.3 Cubic Feet
One Box
Date (inclusive): 1956-1979
Abstract: Helen Shropshire obtained her private pilot's license from Artie Clay in Monterey, California in 1956. She would become a
member of the 99s and compete in the Powder Puff Derby.
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”]
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Helen Shropshire obtained her private pilot's license from Artie Clay in Monterey, California in 1956. Jack Jella was her
instructor for her multi-engine instrument, commercial, and instrument ratings in l957, 1958 and 1959. Helen was inspired
to get her pilot license from one of her customers. During the time Helen and her husband Frank owned the Camera Exchange
in Pacific Grove, one of their customers was a very enthusiastic pilot by the name of Dell Hinn. Dell would always talk her
exciting adventures in flying and was the catalyst that propelled both Helen and Frank into obtaining their private pilot
licenses.
In 1965, Helen and Zoe Dell Nutter organized the formation of the Monterey Bay Chapter of The 99s, sponsored by the Santa
Clara Valley and Sacramento Valley Chapter. The installation of the Monterey Bay Chapter was held at Asilomar Conference Center
with the Governor of the Southwest Section presiding over the event. Helen was the first chairman of the Monterey Bay Chapter
of the 99s.
Helen enjoyed the competition of air racing and entered several of the Powder Puff Derby/All Women Transcontinental Air Races.
She and her partner placed 2nd in 1972. Helen also received much recognition for chairing a Monterey County Air Tour for government
officials. Helen was 1967 pilot of the year for the Monterey Chapter.
One of her most memorable flights occurred while producing a movie for the Guatemalan Tourist Bureau. While in their country,
she had the opportunity to photograph the inside of a volcano from a bomber with the bomb bay doors open and not strapped
in. The bomber had been purchased from the United States by Guatemala for$ I and was co• piloted by her husband, Frank. Helen
filmed the inside of the volcano while lying on her stomach. Her fascination for the inside of volcanoes brought her into
the Crater of the Sun (Haleakala) in Hawaii for aerial photographs.
Helen died December 17, 200 l in Monterey, California
One box of archival material including: Powder Puff Derby subject files, event programs for conferences, photographs and
newspaper clippings.
Related SDASM Collections
• Helen Richey Personal Papers
• Women of Flight Collection
Related Research Institutions
• Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA
• Evergreen Museum, OR
• Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Wash D.C.
• National Museum of Naval Aviation, FL
• Oregon Air and Space Museum, OR
Subjects and Indexing Terms
All-Woman Transcontinental Air Race (ATWAR)
Women in aeronautics
Ninety-Nines (Organization)
Women Airforce Service Pilots
Powder Puff Derby
Shropshire, Helen S.