Richard C. Brookins was born December 30, 1918 in Glendale, Ca. He graduated Louisiana State University in June of 1941 and went to work as a Srtess Analyst at Lockheed Aviation in Los Angeles. He was selected for flying school a month later, and then joined the 352nd Fighter Wing nicknamed “The Bluenose Bastards of Bodney” by German General Goering. Brookins flew two tours as combat pilot and was shot down twice and had to bail out a total of three times. He flew Spitfires, P-47’s and P-51’s, and always named his planes “The Duchess.” After the war ended, he became a test pilot with the Thunderbirds.

Richard C. Brookins was born December 30, 1918 in Glendale, Ca. He graduated Louisiana State University in June of 1941 and went to work as a Srtess Analyst at Lockheed Aviation in Los Angeles. He was selected for flying school a month later, and then joined the 352nd Fighter Wing nicknamed “The Bluenose Bastards of Bodney” by German General Goering. Brookins flew two tours as combat pilot and was shot down twice and had to bail out a total of three times. He flew Spitfires, P-47’s and P-51’s, and always named his planes “The Duchess.”

1.3 Cubic Feet This is a three box collection, each of different sizes. Three boxes with three different measurements: 15.25 x 12.5 x 5 inches, 15.25 x 10.5 x 5 inches, and 15.25 x 10.5 x 2.5 inches. The collection contains collection contains photos (personal, official, reconnaissance), photo albums and negatives, certificates, scrapbooks, service records, and student pilots logs during training. There was also correspondence - both personal and military – as well as newspaper clippings and artifacts both from WWII and his days at Astronautics and S.A.C., and a few personal mementos.

The collection is open to use by appointment. Some copyright may apply.