Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Hospers (John Johannes “Jack”) Personal Papers
SDASM.SC.10076
No online items
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: John Johannes “Jack” Hospers Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10076
Physical Description:
.4 Cubic Feet
The collection is housed in three boxes (2 measuring 12.5”x10.5”x2.5”, 1
measuring 12.5”x10.5”x5”) and contains nineteen files.
Date (inclusive): 1901-1989
Abstract: John Johannes “Jack” Hospers was a representative for the Chance Vought and Sikorsky divisions of UAC, and by 1945, was the
company’s vice president.
This collection is open to the public by appointment
For copyright and use restrictions please consult the library director.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection of materials was donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
[Item], [Collection Name], Archives, San Diego Air & Space Museum
John Johannes Hospers was born October 5, 1901 in Ommen, Netherlands and became a naturalized citizen of the United States
on January 4, 1926. He was married to Sally Ann Kata of Oswego, New York, and had one daughter. He attended the college
at the Graduate Aviation Engineering School in New York City and in 1922, joined the Merchant Marine. After leaving the Merchant
Marine, he worked briefly at a flying school in New York, and then joined the United Aircraft Corporation. In 1928, he became
a field representative for the Chance Vought and Sikorsky divisions of UAC, and by 1945, was the company’s vice president.
Hospers was caught behind German lines during the fall of France, where he was serving as a “Tech Rep” for the French Navy’s
V-156 (SB2U Vindicator), then in service as a dive bomber. Eventually, he made his way to a neutral country and was repatriated.
During the Pacific War, he served as a Lt. Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserves aboard several aircraft carriers. He was also
the head “Tech Rep” for the fleet introduction of the F4U Corsair and helped sort out early difficulties, such as collapsing
tail wheels and other engineering issues. All aircraft damage not credited to enemy action was given to him to investigate
and to make recommendations. Postwar, he evaluated extreme cold carrier operations aboard USS Midway and led the fleet introduction
of the F7U Cutlass, one of the first Navy fighter jets.
After his service, Hospers remained active with the Navy League and the Dallas-Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. He was also
active with the Dallas Grand Jury Association, a member of the Texas Aeronautics Commission Advisory Council, and served as
the Director of the Dallas Health and Science Museum and the Caruth Rehabilitation Center.
Jack Hospers passed away on December 17, 1989 and is buried at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas.
Materials include personal papers and correspondence, Chance Vought and United Aircraft Corporation communications, certificates,
booklets, and newspaper clipping.
Vought images on SDASM's Flickr stream.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Vought OS2U Kingfisher
Vought Aircraft
Corsair (Fighter plane)
Vought F4U Corsair
Vought F7U Cutlass
Hospers, John Johannes “Jack”