The Descriptive Finding Guide for William H. Renison Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10117
Alan Renga
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
11/11/2014
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: William H. Renison Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10117
Physical Description:
0.4 Cubic Feet
One Box
Date (inclusive): 1906-1955
Abstract: William H. Renison (October 29, 1906 – May 1, 1955) had a diverse background of aircraft industrial occupations, but mostly
within the managerial positions. He attended the University of Michigan in 1928 and graduated with a degree in Aeronautical
Engineering. Following his graduation, Renison maintained a steady and rising career in aircraft industries for almost three
decades.
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.
He started to work at Krieder-Reisner Naval Aircraft factory in Maryland. He then proceeded to work at B/J Aeronautics Corp.
(the predecessor to North American). From 1936-1945, Renison worked at Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corp. in San Diego as
an Assistant Division Manager, where he handled cost estimating, production control, and executive administration. He left
Consolidated Vultee in 1945, and became the Chief Production Engineer for General Tire & Rubber. Renison moved on to work
at the Alameda Naval Air Station (NAS) as an industrial management engineer. Following his graduation in the Naval Dept. Work
Improvement Program Supervisor Training course, Renison became a General Superintendent of Aircraft shops at McClellan Airforce
Base. Renison quickly left McClellan to join Hiller Helicopters in the private sector, where he supervised the production
systems for the helicopters. By the end of 1953, Renison joined Northrop Aircraft INC. at the Palmdale facility, where he
coordinated the enter Palmdale project, and helped develop the first F-89 Scorpion fighter jets to the USAF.
He was married with three children.
Items in this collection include newspapers, newspaper clips, a postcard, certificates, ribbons, a passport and identification
card, business brochures and bulletins, corporate correspondence, and photographs ranging from 1948 to 1954
Related SDASM Resources: HD9711 .963 .G4527 SCA QM,
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Palmdale (California)
Hiller Aircraft Company
McClellan Air Force Base (Calif.)
Northrop Grumman Corporation
United States. Navy
United States. Air Force
Renison, William H.
Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation
Box 01
Folder 01 – Certificates and Identification
Physical Description: 1. William H. Renison’s Temporary Passport.
2. William H. Renison’s Executive Card for Consolidated Aircraft Corp.
3. Certificate of Appreciation from the Rotary Club.
4. USA Navy Department Work Improvement Supervisor Training Certificate.
5. Annual Palmdale Lilac Show Award.
6. Palmsdale First Open House Host Ribbon.
7. William H. Renison Resume for Northrop.
Folder 02 – Newspapers, Newspaper Clips, and Bulletin
Physical Description: 1. Alameda NAS Bulletins, Vol. 1, No. 1, April 1, June 1, September 1, 1950.
2. Hiller Copter Anniversary Issue, Vol. 3, No. 12, December, 1952.
3. Valley Press Newspaper Article on Northrop Operations, No. 54, June 3, 1954.
4. Hiller Copter news article of Renison’s arrival, May 15, 1951.
5. Pacemaker News article, Renison joining McClellan AFB, July 20, 1950.
6. Photograph in Newspaper article, Renison joining Northrop.
7. The San Diego Union, Convair Liberator, June 1, 1945.
8. General Tire & Rubber Co. Journal, Article of Renison joining their ranks, May, 1946.
9. The Carrier, Newspaper article of Renison leaving Alameda, July 14, 1950
10. The Sacramento Union, Newspaper article of Renison joining McClellan, July 12, 1950.
11. Pacemaker, Renison leaving McClellan to join Hiller Helicopters, March 16, 1951.
12. Valley Press, Northrop Palmdale Facility’s first clock-in, No. 41, March 4, 1954.
13. Valley Press, Northrop Palmdale’s first delivery to USAF, No. 50, May 6, 1954
14. Unknown Newspaper Article, Renison leaves for England, November 22, 1950
15. Los Angeles Times, Northrop making money with F-89D, March 25, 1955
Folder 03 – Northrup Newspapers, Newspaper Articles, Bulletins, and Corporate Letters
Physical Description: 1. Northrop News, January 27, 1954.
2. Northrop News, Vol. 12, No. 16, March 10, 1954.
3. Northrop News, Vol. 12, No. 20A, May 15, 1954.
4. Northrop News, May 19, 1954
5. Northrop News, Vol. 12, No 26, July 28, 1954.
6. Northrop Bulletin, Introduction of Renison to Palmdale Base, November 18, 1953.
7. Northrop News, Renison joining Palmdale facility, December 2, 1953.
8. Northrop Aircraft Corporate Correspondence, April 30, 1954
9. Northrop Aircraft Corporate Correspondence, Renison’s Birthday, October 29, 1954
10. Northrop Aircraft Memo, First Anniversary of Palmdale Facility, March 1, 1955.
11. Sheet containing termination Notice from Hiller Helicopter, July 13, 1953, and Northrop hiring Renison, December 10, 1953
Folder 04 – Manuals, Handouts, and Brochures
Physical Description: 1. How to get Cooperation Manual, Wetherill, Richard W., 1947.
2. McClellan AFB Apprentice Graduation Air Material Command, October 27, 1950.
3. US NAS Alameda CA Pamphlet for William Renison, August 1952.
4. Society for Advancement of Management SF Bay Chapter Pamphlet, August 10, 1953
Folder 06 – Photographs
Physical Description: 1. Portrait Photograph of William H. Renison, March 19, 1953.
2. Portrait Photograph of William H. Renison, March 19, 1953.
3. Directors in a Hiller Facility, December 18, 1952.
4. Renison giving a Presentation, 1952.
5. Guests at Banquet.
6. Superintendents around William Renison, April 3, 1951.
7. Banquet Speech.
8. Christmas Baskets, December 22, 1950.
9. Air Force Group Photograph, June 17-18, 1951.
10. Hiller Helicopter Facility and Runway.
11. Dinner Party, May 15, 1952.
12. Banquet.
13. Christmas Party, December 1948.
14. Society of Military Engineers, October 6, 1950.
15. Group Photograph, Circa 1945.
16. Superintendents around William Renison. April 3, 1951.
17. Renison meeting Harry Boegeman, April 4, 1951.
18. Renison meeting Louie Hynding.
19. Greetings.
20. Runway Schematic Flow Diagram.
21. Air Force Long Range Plan.
22. Photograph of a Plant, May 15, 1954.
Folder 07 – Photographs
Physical Description: 1. Buaer and O&R Alameda visit base of General Jones, Sacramento Air Material Area, March 19, 1948.
2. Reviewing Schematics, April 1954.
3. Antelope Valley Service Mobilization Committee Meeting, February 4, 1954.
4. Renison and Company around Hiller Helicopter, January 22, 1953.
5. Renison and Company in Palmdale, February 27, 1954.
6. Renison and Company in Palmdale, February 27, 1954.
7. Board Directors Meeting, March 26, 1953.
8. Safety Award Presentation to C.E. MacMasters, January 28, 1955.
9. Meeting K.P. Bown & Division Heads, February 7, 1955.
10. O&R Tour Visit to Consolidated Vultee, May 5. 1949.
11. Unknown Group Photograph.
12. McClellan Quarterly E Award, Circa 1950.
13. Hiller Copter Management Club, May 15, 1952.
14. German Postcard, November 26, 1950.
15. Luncheon Meeting.
16. Christmas Party, December 1950.
17. McClellan Unit E Award. Circa 1950.
18. Field Economic Mobilization Course, May 10, 1950
19. Christmas Party, December 1950.