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Draper (Birdie) Personal Papers
SDASM.SC.10039.O/S
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Birdie Draper Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10039.O/S
Physical Description:
1.25 Cubic Feet
This is a two box collection. The first box – containing folders with documents and photographs – measures 12 ¼” x 10 ½” x
5. The second box – containing two posters and a scrap book – measures 24 ½” x 20 ¾” x 3”.
Date (inclusive): 1936-2005
Abstract: Birdie Draper was an early female daredevil, pilot and parachute rigger.
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
Please credit the San Diego Air and Space Museum's Library and Archives
Birdie Viola Draper was born in 1916 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1937 at the age of 20, Birdie began her training as a parachutist
with Stub Chrissinger, an instructor for Hincks flying service. Mr. Chrissinger was one of two licensed parachute riggers
in Minnesota at the time. After her training, Birdie joined a stunt group of Thrill Day Performers traveling to State Fairs.
She was paired up with Captain F. F. (Bowser) Frakes who was best known for his daring plane crashing stunts. Birdie was recognized
for crashing through sixteen sticks of dynamite with her car, as well as solid masonry walls. Her vast array of death defying
stunts earned her the name, “The Queen of Daredevils.”
By 1940, Birdie completed thirty-five parachute jumps. She retired in 1941 as a daredevil once she received her license as
a parachute rigger from the Department of Commerce. Shortly afterwards she took a position as a rigger for Ryan Aeronautical
Company. Birdie married George Griffin, a local attorney, and retired from Ryan Aeronautical Company in 1945.
Birdie died on November 1, 2005.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
This is a two box collection. The first box – containing folders with documents and photographs – measures 12 ¼” x 10 ½” x
5. The second box – containing two posters and a scrap book – measures 24 ½” x 20 ¾” x 3”. This collection was organized
by material and subject type. The collection covers the life of Birdie Draper as a daredevil stunt performer and parachute
rigger from 1936 to 1945. This collection contains posters, a scrapbook album, newspapers, correspondence, logbooks, manuals,
and photographs.
SDASM Women of Flight Collection
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Women Airforce Service Pilots
Women in aeronautics
Women air pilots
Draper, Birdie, 1936-2005