The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Wally Timm Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10142
Alan Renga
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
11/14/2014
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Wally Timm Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10142
Physical Description:
0.43 Cubic Feet
one box 15” x 5” X 10.5”
Date (inclusive): 1893-1978
Abstract: Wall D. Timm was an aviation mechanic and a Signal Corps instructor. Then during the 1920s, he became a barnstormer and Hollywood
stunt pilot. After WWII, he worked for Beechcraft.
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.
Wally D. Timm was born in Lakefield, Minnesota, in 1893. He worked closely with his brother Otto in designing aircraft. Wally
started out in 1910 as a mechanic for Al Wilson in exchange for flying lessons. He worked for the Signal Corps Aviation School
as an instructor in 1917- 1918. In 1921 he flew an airplane from Venice, CA, to Lone Pine, CA, and then to Bishop, CA, in
a record time of four hours and five minutes. He also worked for Hollywood during this time with partner Frank Clark. He barnstormed
from 1921 to 1928, and eventually, in 1934, he formed the Timm Airplane Company with his brother Otto. They designed the Timm
T-S140.
After World War II, he partnered with Norm Larson to sell Beechcraft planes at Glendale Airport. One of these planes, a Beechcraft
Bonanza, called the Waikiki Beach, was piloted by Bill Odom on a record setting flight and is now on display in the Smithsonian
National Air and Space Museum. Wally remained active in aviation into the 1950s. He passed away in El Cajon, CA on April 29,
1978, at the age of 81.
This collection consists of one box 15” x 5” X 10.5” containing photographs, news articles, telegrams, memos, an award certificate,
and flyers, including autographed materials.
Related SDASM Resources:
AL-191 – J.D. Fairchild, album containing 1920s barnstorming photos.
Stunt flyer photos.
Related Research Institutions:
For the Beechcraft :
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Independence Ave at 6th St, SW, Washington, DC 20560
Archives Phone: (703) 572-4045
http://airandspace.si.edu/
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Stunt flying
Timm Aircraft Corp
Beechcraft (Airplanes)
Motion Pictures
Timm, Wally D.
Goebel, Arthur Cornelius
Clarke, Frank
Box 01
Folder 05 – Documentation, Media, and Correspondence
Physical Description: 1. Who’s Who in Aviation mini biography of Wally and Otto Timm.
2. Photocopy of picture of L. C. Brand, wife, and actresses.
3. Western Union telegram from Art Goebel to Wally Timm.
4. Reinstatement letter to Wally Timm from J. J. Carroll.
5. Group photo of aircraft in International Air Tournament July 16-17 1921.
6. Participant certificate Aviation Pioneers Grand Flight 1976.
7. Newspaper article and photos of upside down plane change November 29, 1920.
8. Newspaper article on winter air tournament in Long Beach, California.
9. U. S. Army Air Service operation regulations 1920.
10. Aviation Pioneers Grand Flight participant list 1976.
11. Article on Otto Timm in unknown publication.
Folder 06 – Stunts
Physical Description: 1. Pacific Aircraft Sales article on Beechcraft Bonanza endurance flight.
2. News articles and photos on changing planes in mid-air upside down.
3. Article and photos on stunt take off from roof of the Flatiron building 11th and Broadway, downtown Los Angeles.
4. Article on plane change using a ladder.
Folder 07 – Newspaper Articles and Flyers
Physical Description: 1. NU photo of Wally Timm.
2. Article on Professional Pilots Association article on Wally Timm September 1929.
3. Bishop air show flyer.
4. Elma fair flyer 1920.
5. Popular Mechanics Cloudster article with photos.
6. Army flier headline December 27, 1920.Los Angeles Examiner article dated September 10, 1921.
7. Los Angeles Speedway race results.
8. Long Beach Air Tournament meet results December 26, 1920.Silver Wings photo and article June 1977.
9. Article in Private Pilot “Testing days at old Lincoln”.