The Descriptive Finding Guide for Bill J. Hodges Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10073
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
1/11/16
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: Bill J. Hodges Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10073
Physical Description:
1 Cubic Feet
These boxes contain a large number of Ryan company files including photographs, news articles, blueprints, company reports,
promotional material, and spec logs of various Ryan company aircraft both commercial and military. These documents belonged
to Bill J Hodges, founder of the International Ryan Club, and the Texas chapter of the Antique Airplane Association.
The collection contains three boxes 12.5” x 5” x 10”.
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: This collection contains information on Bill Hodges, who was the founder of the International Ryan Club and was the newsletter
editor until his death.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Conditions Governing Use
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
Preferred Citation
Please credit the San Diego Air and Space Museum's Library and Archives
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Biographical / Historical
Bill J. Hodges, often known as “Billie Joe Hodges,” son of Benjamin U. Hodges and Vera V. Holms, was born in Paris, TX on
October 6th, 1929. He attended San Jose State College, served in the Air Force during the Korean War, and retired at the rank
of Master Sergeant. Bill married Martha Poynor in Alameda, California on June 14th, 1957. He was the founder of the International
Ryan Club and was the newsletter editor until his death. He began this task in 1963 when he sent out fliers to AAA members
inviting them to a fly-in. The weather that day was a freezing mix of ice, rain, and slush. Despite the bleak weather conditions
nine members showed up and began forming the Northeast Texas chapter of the AAA and organizing their first fly-in at the grand
Prairie Airport on May 25-26th 1963.
After the formation of the chapter, Bill became the vice president. He spent time writing and publishing a news letter expressing
interest in antique aircraft throughout the area. The first fly-in was a massive success with 26 home-built and antique aircraft
in attendance. Bill took detailed records of the fly-in and activities of the chapter. He also continued to publish a newsletter
and was soon elected president of the North East chapter.
After this Bill proceeded to buy a Stinson 10A and a Fairchild 24. He moved with his family to Ottumwa and worked at the
Air Power museum. Next he moved to Oshkosh and worked at the EAA museum before returning to Texas. When he returned to Texas
he organized the Ryan Type Club and was elected President and newsletter editor. Bill maintained his chapter’s membership
and worked with Norm Justice in hosting a number of fly-ins at Birdnest Airport. At the Denton fly-ins Bill was seen with
his scrapbooks containing the histories of all the well-known Ryan Aircraft.
Bill Hodges started with nine members and no flying aircraft to having over two hundred members with over one hundred flying
antique and classic aircraft. Bill Hodges passed away on Friday, January 23rd, 2004 at the age of 75. He is buried at Oak
Grove Cemetery in Searcy, Arkansas.
Scope and Contents
The collection contains three boxes 12.5” x 5” x 10”. These boxes contain a large number of Ryan company files including
photographs, news articles, blueprints, company reports, promotional material, and spec logs of various Ryan company aircraft
both commercial and military. These documents belonged to Bill J Hodges, founder of the International Ryan Club, and the Texas
chapter of the Antique Airplane Association.
Related Materials
Ryan Aeronautical Collection.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ryan Aeronautical
International Ryan Club
Ryan L-17 Navion
Ryan PT-22 Recruit
Ryan S-T Sport Trainer
Hodges, Bill J.
3. Ryan XF2R-1 “Dark Shark”
8. Ryan’s Australia New Zealand AUST AIR DATA
9. U.S ARMY, WWII TOs (Technical Orders) SPECIFICATIONS, etc.
10. Ryan, Blue Print List.
13. Ryan Basic training airplane
15. Ryan Listings (aircraft)
16. Ryan Formation Flying
18. Ryan Maintenance Notes.
21. Ryan – Riggings PT-22
22. Kinner Airplane and Engine Corp, Inc. 635 W. Colorado BLVD, Glendale Calif.
23. Palo Alto Airport Inc. Mesa Del Rey Field, King City, California (WWII)
24. Wright Army Air Field, U.S Army Air Corps, Dayton, Ohio.
25. Eagle Field, 13 AAFFTD (LOAST AVIATION CORP) Dos Palos, California.
1. Ryan Field, 11th AAFFTD, Ryan School of Aeronautics, Tucson, Arizona.
2. Lindbergh Field, Ryan School of Aeronautics, San Diego, California.
3. Gary Field, 10th AAFFTD Morton Air Academy, Blythe, Calif.
4. Mesa Del Rey Field. 3rd ARFFTD, Palo Alto Airport, INC. King City Calif.
5. Sequoia Field, 8th AAFFTD. VISALIA- Dinuba School of Aeronautics, Visalia, California.
6. West Coast Ryan Reunion, Hemet, CA, May 1985.
7. Mas Memphis/ NATIC Millington, Tenn.
8. Ryan PT-22 N48743, C/N 1287, S/N 41-15258 F/N 258.
10. Ryan – Civil Air Register.
12. Ryan Airlines Inc. 3200 Barnett Ave, San Diego, CA.
14. B.F Mahoney Aircraft Corp, San Diego, CA.
15. Mahoney-Ryan Aircraft Corp, Anglum, Missouri.
16. Ryan Aircraft Corp, Division of Detroit Aircraft Corp, St. Louis, Missouri.
17. Ryan Mechanics Monoplane co.
18. Ryan Aeronautical Co, San Diego, California
19. Ryan Aeronautical Corp, San Diego California
20. Ryan Flying School, 413 Union Building, San Diego Ca.
21. T.C. Ryan Flying School. Dept A, 411 Union Building.
1. Ryan YO – 51 “Dragonfly
25. Ryan School of Aeronautics, Lindbergh Field, San Diego, California.
